The McGraw-Hill Companies to Sell Datapro Information Services and Northern Business Information

Computer market analysis units to be acquired by Gartner Group

New York, NY, July 17, 1997 -- The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE:MHP) today announced that it signed an agreement to divest its two computer market analysis units, Datapro Information Services and Northern Business Information.

The McGraw-Hill Companies has agreed to sell the units to Gartner Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:GART) of Stamford, Connecticut. The McGraw-Hill Companies will retain National Software Testing Laboratories, which will be transferred to the Information Technology and Communications Group, which now comprises the magazines BYTE, Data Communications, Data Communications International, LAN Times and tele.com.

Terms of the sale were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close later this summer, subject to obtaining necessary government approvals as required by law under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act.

"Our long-term strategy includes divesting businesses that fall outside our core markets while we focus on acquiring and expanding businesses that contribute to continued double-digit growth in revenues and earnings," said Joseph L. Dionne, Chairman and CEO of The McGraw-Hill Companies. "We are concentrating our growth in the global arenas of financial services and educational and professional publishing.

Gartner Group, Inc., is the world's leading provider of IT research, advisory and market intelligence services. Founded in 1979, Gartner Group serves more than 8,300 client organizations worldwide.

The McGraw-Hill Companies is a leading information services provider, meeting worldwide needs in education, business, finance, the professions and government. Founded in 1888, the Corporation today provides information and analysis in multiple media through its rich portfolio of valuable brands. Revenues in 1996 were $3.1 billion.