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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10(a)

                                                                    CONFIDENTIAL



                               ZAPATA CORPORATION

                                      AND

                _______________________________________________

                              ZP ACQUISITION CORP.

                _______________________________________________

                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                _______________________________________________

                                FOR THE SALE OF

                              ZAPATA PROTEIN, INC.

                         DATED AS OF FEBRUARY 14, 1995