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CONMED Reports Third Quarter Earnings

    - Sales Increase 6.5% (4.7% at Constant Currency) to $120.7 Million -

 - Excluding Charges, Net Income Increases 13% to $10.4 Million, or $0.36 per
                               Diluted Share -

    UTICA, N.Y., Oct. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CONMED Corporation
(Nasdaq: CNMD) today announced financial results for the third quarter and
nine months ended September 30, 2003.
    Total sales for the quarter increased 6.5% (4.7% at constant currency) to
$120.7 million compared to $113.3 million in last year's third quarter.
Excluding a one-time $3.0 million sale of powered surgical instruments to a
distributor in the third quarter of last year, 2003 third quarter sales grew
9.4% year over year.
    Non-GAAP net income (excluding acquisition and other charges explained
below) grew 13% to $10.4 million, or $0.36 per diluted share, from non-GAAP
net income (excluding financing charge) of $9.2 million, or $0.32 per diluted
share, in the third quarter of last year.  Non-GAAP net income and diluted
earnings per share for the 2003 third quarter excludes after-tax charges of
$738,000, or $0.03 per diluted share related to acquisitions and the
settlement of certain pension obligations.  Non-GAAP net income and diluted
earnings per share for the 2002 third quarter excludes an after tax charge of
$944,000 related to debt refinancing (please see below for full explanation).
On a generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) basis, including these
charges, CONMED reported net income of $9.7 million and $8.2 million, or $0.33
and $.28 per diluted share in the third quarters of 2003 and 2002,
respectively.
    The Company's Arthroscopy sales were $42.2 million, of which $4.0 million
came from Bionx Implants, Inc., which was acquired by CONMED on March 10,
2003, compared to $38.6 million in the third quarter of last year.  Organic
sales for arthroscopy were slightly softer than the prior year's third
quarter, due to modest declines in sales of video systems and fluid management
products.
    Excluding the non-recurring $3.0 million powered surgical instrument sale
to DePuy (in conjunction with the Company's co-marketing agreement for the
PowerPro(R) line of products) in last year's third quarter, powered surgical
instruments sales grew 7% to $29.3 million from $27.5 million in the third
quarter of 2002.  The PowerPro(R) large bone segment drove the growth with a
20% improvement, while small bone and specialty products experienced a small
decline.
    Electrosurgery reported strong sales growth of 21% to $20.6 million
compared to $17.0 million in the prior year's third quarter, due to increased
demand for the Company's new electrosurgical power generator.  Patient Care
sales were $17.1 million versus $18.1 million in the 2002 third quarter.  Last
year's third quarter Patient Care sales were higher than average due to
distributors' purchases greater than their normalized pattern.  For the nine
months ended September 2003, Patient Care sales were consistent with the first
nine months of 2002.
    Endoscopy sales grew 21% to $11.0 million compared to $9.1 million in the
same quarter a year ago.  This increase is a result of the contributions from
the Core Dynamics acquisition, which was completed in the fourth quarter of
2002.  The Integrated Systems product line, which CONMED obtained through its
acquisitions of ValMed and Nortrex in the fourth quarter of 2002, contributed
$0.5 million to total revenue for the 2003 third quarter.
    Commenting on the quarter, Mr. Joseph J. Corasanti, President and Chief
Operating Officer, said, "Absent the acquisition and pension settlement
charges, CONMED had all time record quarterly net income.  Our performance
this quarter was led by the 21% sales growth of our electrosurgery group and
the new System 5000 electrosurgical power generator.  We also continued the
strong growth of our PowerPro(R) line of Powered Surgical Instruments with
better than 20% sales increases to end-user clinicians.  While organic
Arthroscopy revenues were flat on a quarterly basis, we remain confident that
our expanded sales force will fuel a return to growth in Arthroscopy.  On this
note we are pleased to say that since initiating our salesforce expansion in
April 2003, our newer sales representatives have made good progress with
forging their physician relationships and our dealer managers have
communicated their confidence in the potential of the new infrastructure.
Additionally, from an expense standpoint, the refinancing of the 9% senior
subordinated bonds last quarter enabled us to substantially reduce interest
expense this quarter."
    For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, CONMED reported sales of
$363.3 million, up 7.5% from $337.8 million in the first nine months of last
year.  Non-GAAP net income for the first three quarters of this year,
excluding special charges and credits, grew to $30.6 million, or $1.05 per
diluted share, on a 6.3% increase in diluted shares outstanding, compared to
Non-GAAP net income of $27.2 million, or $0.99 per diluted share, for the nine
months ended September 30, 2002 (please see below for full explanation of the
special charges and credits).  On a GAAP basis, including these charges and
credits, CONMED reported net income of $19.1 million and $26.2 million, or
$0.66 and $0.96 per diluted share for the nine months ended September 30, 2003
and 2002, respectively.
    Mr. Corasanti concluded, "We are looking forward to the upcoming quarter,
as the fourth quarter typically is our strongest of the year.  To this end,
for the fourth quarter, we expect to generate revenues in the range of $125
million to $129 million, and diluted earnings per share in the range of $0.40
to $0.44, excluding special charges, if any.  For 2004, we expect that the
top-line growth rate mix of our various product lines will result in organic
revenue increases of approximately 6% over 2003 sales levels.  At that level
of sales growth, we believe we will generate diluted earnings per share growth
of approximately 15% over 2003 levels through growth in revenues, expansion of
margins and reduced interest costs.  (Please see paragraph below on
reconciliation of forecasted earnings per share)."

    Explanation of Unusual Charges and Credits
    During the third quarter of 2003, CONMED recorded pre-tax acquisition
related charges associated with the acquisition of Bionx and ValMed amounting
to $395,000 for various transitional activities.  For the nine months ended
September 30, 2003 acquisition related charges for Bionx, Core Dynamics,
ValMed and Nortrex acquisitions amounted to $11.6 million, including $7.9
million for the write-off of purchased in-process research and development
related to the Bionx acquisition.
    In the second and third quarters of 2003, the Company's pension plan
settled pension obligations with certain terminated employees, primarily with
regard to the sales-force reorganization on April 1, 2003, by lump-sum payment
of accrued benefits.  Because Department of Labor rules with respect to lump-
sum payment calculations are different than the pension plan's assumptions
regarding discount rates, a non-cash, pre-tax loss was recorded amounting to
$758,000 in the third quarter and  $2.8 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2003.
    As previously disclosed, on June 30, 2003, the Company refinanced all of
its outstanding 9% senior subordinated notes with the proceeds of a $160
million expansion of the term loan component of its senior credit facility.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Company expensed a total of
$8.1 million of pre-tax costs associated with the refinancing consisting of
the call premium on the notes of $5.9 million and $2.2 million (non-cash) for
the unamortized deferred financing fees associated with original issue of the
notes.  The current interest rate on the term loan expansion is equivalent to
LIBOR plus 2.75%, for an approximate total of 4.0%.  In the third quarter of
2002, the Company incurred a pre-tax charge of $1.5 million associated with
refinancing its senior credit agreement.
    In the first quarter of 2003, the Company recorded a special credit to
income that affects the Company's results for the nine months ended September
30, 2003.  In March 2003, the Company received $9.5 million as a settlement of
a dispute related to the 1997 acquisition of its orthopedic subsidiary,
Linvatec Corporation.  Accordingly, the Company recorded the settlement, less
estimated legal expenses of $0.5 million, as a pre-tax gain of $9.0 million in
the first quarter of 2003.

    Reconciliation of Forecasted Earnings Per Share
    The diluted earnings per share forecasted range of $0.40 to $0.44 for the
fourth quarter 2003 excludes any potential additional pension settlement
charges and acquisition related charges for the Bionx acquisition which, if
they occur, are not presently quantifiable.

    CONMED Profile
    CONMED is a medical technology company specializing in instruments,
implants, and video equipment for arthroscopic sports medicine, and powered
surgical instruments, such as drills and saws, for orthopedic, ENT, neuro-
surgery, and other surgical specialties.  The Company is also a leading
developer, manufacturer and supplier of RF electrosurgery systems used
routinely to cut and cauterize tissue in nearly all types of surgical
procedures worldwide, endoscopy products such as trocars, clip appliers,
scissors, and surgical staplers.  The Company offers integrated operating room
design and intensive care unit service managers.  The Company also
manufactures and sells a full line of ECG electrodes for heart monitoring and
other patient care products.  Headquartered in Utica, New York, the Company's
2,600 employees distribute its products worldwide from eleven manufacturing
locations.

    Forward Looking Information
    This press release contains forward-looking statements based on certain
assumptions and contingencies that involve risks and uncertainties.  The
forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and relate to the
Company's performance on a going-forward basis.  The forward-looking
statements in this press release involve risks and uncertainties which could
cause actual results, performance or trends, including the above mentioned
anticipated revenues and earnings, to differ materially from those expressed
in the forward-looking statements herein or in previous disclosures.  The
Company believes that all forward-looking statements made by it have a
reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that management's
expectations, beliefs or projections as expressed in the forward-looking
statements will actually occur or prove to be correct.  In addition to general
industry and economic conditions, factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements in
this press release include, but are not limited to: (i) the failure of any one
or more of the assumptions stated above, to prove to be correct; (ii) the
risks relating to forward-looking statements discussed in the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002; (iii)
cyclical purchasing patterns from customers, end-users and dealers;  (iv)
timely release of new products, and acceptance of such new products by the
market; (v) the introduction of new products by competitors and other
competitive responses; (vi) the possibility that any new acquisition or other
transaction may require the Company to reconsider its financial assumptions
and goals/targets; and/or (vii) the Company's ability to devise and execute
strategies to respond to market conditions.


                              CONMED CORPORATION
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                   (in thousands except per share amounts)
                                 (unaudited)

                               Three months ended        Nine months ended
                                  September 30,             September 30,
                                 2002       2003           2002       2003

    Net sales                $113,332   $120,747       $337,806   $363,321
    Cost of sales              54,429     57,516        160,244    172,564
    Cost of sales,
     nonrecurring - Note A          -          -              -        739
    Gross profit               58,903     63,231        177,562    190,018
    Selling and administrative 34,562     38,596        104,171    115,094
    Research and development    4,253      4,487         12,155     12,568
    Write-off of purchased
     in-process research and
     development assets -
     Note B                         -          -              -      7,900
    Other expense - Note C, D   1,475      1,153          1,475      4,883
                               40,290     44,236        117,801    140,445
    Income from operations     18,613     18,995         59,761     49,573
    Interest expense            5,765      3,829         18,748     15,228
    Income before income taxes 12,848     15,166         41,013     34,345
    Provision for income taxes  4,625      5,460         14,764     15,208
    Net income                 $8,223     $9,706        $26,249    $19,137

    Per share data:

    Net Income
     Basic                       $.29       $.34           $.98       $.66
     Diluted                      .28        .33            .96        .66

    Weighted average common
     shares
     Basic                     28,613     28,941         26,870     28,909
     Diluted                   29,043     29,391         27,470     29,190

     Note A - Included in cost of sales in the nine months ended September 30,
     2003 are $.7 million in acquisition-related costs.

     Note B - During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Company
     recorded a charge of $7.9 million to write-off purchased in-process
     research and development assets acquired as a result of an acquisition.
     No benefit for income taxes was recorded on the write-off as these costs
     are not deductible for income tax purposes.

     Note C - Included in other expense in the three months ended September
     30, 2002 are $1.5 million in losses on the early extinguishment of debt.
     These costs were classified as an extraordinary charge in 2002 but have
     been reclassified to operating income as a result of the adoption of FASB
     Statement No. 145.  Included in other expense in the three months ended
     September 30, 2003 are $.4 million in acquisition-related costs and $.8
     million in pension settlement costs.

     Note D - Included in other expense in the nine months ended September 30,
     2002 are $1.5 million in losses on the early extinguishment of debt.
     These costs were classified as an extraordinary charge in 2002 but have
     been reclassified to operating income as a result of the adoption of FASB
     Statement No. 145.  Included in other expense in the nine months ended
     September 30, 2003 are a $9.0 million gain on the settlement of a
     contractual dispute; $8.1 million in losses on the early extinguishment
     of debt; $2.8 million in pension settlement costs; and $3.0 million in
     acquisition-related costs.

                              CONMED CORPORATION
                    CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED  BALANCE SHEETS
                                (in thousands)

                                    ASSETS
                                                                   (unaudited)
                                              December 31,          Sept. 30,
                                                 2002                  2003
    Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents                 $5,626               $11,122
     Accounts receivable, net                  58,093                61,206
     Inventories                              120,443               127,583
     Other current assets                       9,504                 9,259
       Total current assets                   193,666               209,170
    Property, plant and equipment, net.        95,608                96,717
    Goodwill and other assets, net            452,866               495,599
       Total assets                          $742,140              $801,486

                     LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

    Current liabilities:
     Current portion of long-term debt         $2,631                $4,067
     Accrued interest                           3,794                 1,604
     Other current liabilities                 51,549                51,443
       Total current liabilities               57,974                57,114
    Long-term debt                            254,756               276,883
    Other long-term liabilities                42,471                54,856
       Total liabilities                      355,201               388,853

    Shareholders' equity:
     Capital accounts                         231,701               235,016
     Retained earnings                        162,391               181,528
     Accumulated other comprehensive loss      (7,153)               (3,911)
       Total equity                           386,939               412,633

       Total liabilities and
        shareholders' equity                 $742,140              $801,486

                         OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                          (unaudited, in thousands)

                               Three months ended        Nine months ended
                                  September 30,             September 30,
                                 2002       2003           2002       2003

    Depreciation               $2,327     $2,809         $6,731     $7,717
    Amortization                3,033      3,655          8,842     10,166
    Capital expenditures        2,133      2,340         10,561      6,291


                              CONMED CORPORATION
             RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED NET INCOME TO NET INCOME
                          BEFORE NONRECURRING ITEMS
                   (In thousands except per share amounts)
                                 (unaudited)

                                                       Three months ended
                                                             Sept. 30,
                                                         2002        2003

    Reported net income                                $8,223     $ 9,706
    Pension settlement costs                                -         758
    Other acquisition-related costs                         -         395
    Loss on early extinguishment of debt                1,475           -
         Total other expense                            1,475       1,153
    Provision (benefit) for income
     taxes on nonrecurring expense                       (531)       (415)
    Net income before nonrecurring items               $9,167     $10,444

    Per share data:

    Reported net income
     Basic                                              $0.29       $0.34
     Diluted                                             0.28        0.33

    Net income before nonrecurring items
     Basic                                              $0.32       $0.36
     Diluted                                             0.32        0.36

    Management has provided the above reconciliation of net income before
nonrecurring items as an additional measure that investors can use to compare
operating performance between reporting periods.  Management believes this
reconciliation provides a useful presentation of operating performance.


                              CONMED CORPORATION
             RECONCILIATION OF REPORTED NET INCOME TO NET INCOME
                          BEFORE NONRECURRING ITEMS
                   (In thousands except per share amounts)
                                 (unaudited)

                                                           Nine months ended
                                                                Sept. 30,
                                                            2002        2003

    Reported net income                                 $ 26,249    $ 19,137
    Acquisition-related costs included
         in cost of sales                                      -         739
    Write-off of purchased in-process research and
         development assets                                    -       7,900
    Gain on settlement of a contractual dispute,
         net of legal costs                                    -      (9,000)
    Pension settlement costs                                   -       2,839
    Other acquisition-related costs                            -       2,966
    Loss on early extinguishment of debt                   1,475       8,078
         Total other expense                               1,475       4,883
    Provision (benefit) for income taxes on
     nonrecurring expense                                   (531)     (2,024)
    Net income before nonrecurring items                $ 27,193    $ 30,635

    Per share data:

    Reported net income
     Basic                                                 $0.98       0.66
     Diluted                                                0.96       0.66

    Net income before nonrecurring items
     Basic                                                 $1.01      $1.06
     Diluted                                                0.99       1.05

    Management has provided the above reconciliation of net income before
nonrecurring items as an additional measure that investors can use to compare
operating performance between reporting periods.  Management believes this
reconciliation provides a useful presentation of operating performance.


SOURCE CONMED Corporation




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    CONTACT:
    Robert Shallish, Chief Financial Officer of
    CONMED Corporation, +1-315-624-3206; or Investors - Lanie Fladell
    or Tiernan Cavanna, or Media - Sean Leous, both of Financial
    Dynamics, +1-212-850-5600, for CONMED Corporation