SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                            SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
 
          PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
                              EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
                          FILED BY THE REGISTRANT [X]
 
                 FILED BY A PARTY OTHER THAN THE REGISTRANT [ ]
 
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[ ]  Preliminary Proxy Statement               [ ]  Confidential, for the Use of the
                                                   Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
                                                   14a-6(e)(2))
[X]  Definitive Proxy Statement                [ ]  Definitive Additional Materials
[ ]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section
     240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12

 
                               ZAPATA CORPORATION
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
 
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
 
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                                 [Zapata logo]
 
                                                                  April 18, 2005
 
To Our Stockholders:
 
     You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
Zapata Corporation, to be held on June 1, 2005, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at
the Canandaigua Inn on the Lake, 770 South Main Street, Canandaigua, New York,
14424.
 
     At the meeting, stockholders will be asked to consider matters contained in
the enclosed Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, we will report on the
progress of the Company, comment on matters of interest and respond to your
questions. A copy of the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for the year
ended December 31, 2004 containing our consolidated financial statements
preceded or accompanies this mailing.
 
     Registered stockholders can vote their shares by using a toll-free
telephone number. Instructions for using this convenient service are provided on
the proxy card. You may still vote your shares by marking your votes on the
proxy/instruction card. You may also vote your shares in person if you attend
the Annual Meeting thereby canceling any proxy previously given.
 
     We appreciate your continued interest in Zapata.
 
                                          Sincerely,
 
                                          /s/ Avram A. Glazer
 
                                          AVRAM A. GLAZER
                                          Chairman of the Board,
                                          President and Chief Executive Officer

 
                               ZAPATA CORPORATION
                         100 MERIDIAN CENTRE, SUITE 350
                           ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14618
                                 (585) 242-2000
 
                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
                            TO BE HELD JUNE 1, 2005
 
To the Stockholders of Zapata Corporation:
 
     Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual
Meeting") of Zapata Corporation, a Nevada corporation ("Zapata" or the
"Company"), will be held on June 1, 2005 at the Canandaigua Inn on the Lake, 770
South Main Street, Canandaigua, New York, 14424 at 10:00 a.m., local time, for
the following purposes:
 
          1. To elect two Class I directors;
 
          2. To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP as the
     Company's independent public accountants; and
 
          3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the
     Annual Meeting or any adjournments thereof.
 
     A copy of the Annual Report of the Company's operations during the year
ended December 31, 2004 preceded or accompanies the mailing. A Proxy Statement
and proxy/voting instruction card ("Proxy Card") accompany this Notice. The
enclosed Proxy Statement contains information regarding the matters to be acted
upon at the Annual Meeting.
 
     The Board of Directors has set the close of business on April 13, 2005 as
the record date for the Annual Meeting. Only stockholders of record at the close
of business on the record date are entitled to notice of, and to vote at the
Annual Meeting and any adjournments thereof. The stock transfer books of the
Company will not be closed following the record date. A list of such
stockholders will be available at the place of the Annual Meeting for inspection
at least ten (10) days prior to the Annual Meeting.
 
     Stockholders are cordially invited and encouraged to attend the Annual
Meeting in person. In the event that stockholders cannot attend the Annual
Meeting, registered stockholders can vote their shares by completing and
returning the enclosed Proxy Card, properly signed or by using a toll-free
telephone number. Instructions for using this convenient service are provided on
the Proxy Card.
 
                                          By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
                                          /s/ Avram A. Glazer
 
                                          AVRAM A. GLAZER
                                          Chairman of the Board,
                                          President and Chief Executive Officer
 
Rochester, New York
April 18, 2005

 
                               ZAPATA CORPORATION
                         100 MERIDIAN CENTRE, SUITE 350
                           ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14618
                                 (585) 242-2000
 
                                PROXY STATEMENT
 
GENERAL
 
     This Proxy Statement, the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and Proxy/Voting Instructions Card (the "Proxy Card") are being
furnished to the stockholders of Zapata Corporation ("Zapata" or the "Company")
by the Board of Directors in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use
at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 1, 2005, at 10:00 a.m.,
local time, at the Canandaigua Inn on the Lake, 770 South Main Street,
Canandaigua, New York, 14424 and at any adjournments thereof (the "Annual
Meeting").
 
     It is contemplated that this Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of
Proxy Card will first be mailed to Zapata stockholders on or about April 20,
2004. The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 100 Meridian
Centre, Suite 350, Rochester, New York 14618; telephone (585) 242-2000.
 
     As an alternative to voting by proxy or in person, registered stockholders
can simplify their voting and save the Company expense by calling 1-800-PROXIES
(or 1-800-776-9437). Telephone voting information is provided on the Proxy Card.
A Control Number, located above the stockholder's name and address on the lower
left of the Proxy Card, is designed to verify stockholders' identity and allow
them to vote their shares and confirm that their voting instructions have been
properly recorded.
 
     If your shares are held in the name of a bank or broker, follow the voting
instructions on the form you receive. The availability of telephone voting will
depend on the voting processes of the bank or broker that holds your shares.
 
     If you do not choose to vote by telephone, you may still return your Proxy
Card, properly signed, and the shares represented will be voted in accordance
with your directions. You can specify your choices by marking the appropriate
boxes on the Proxy Card. If your Proxy Card is signed and returned without
specifying choices, the shares will be voted as recommended by the Board of
Directors. If you do vote by telephone, it is not necessary to return your Proxy
Card.
 
     The Company effected an eight-for-one stock split of its outstanding shares
of common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), effective at the
close of business on April 6, 2005. Where a number of shares of Common Stock is
listed in this Proxy Statement for a date or period prior to the effective date
of the stock split, that number of shares of Common Stock has been
proportionately adjusted as if the eight-for-one stock split had been in effect
on that prior date or during that prior period.
 
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
 
     At the Annual Meeting, including any adjournment(s) thereof, the
stockholders of Zapata will be asked to consider and vote upon the proposals to
elect directors and to ratify the Company's independent public accountants which
are summarized in the attached Notice of Annual Meeting. The director nominees
and each proposal are described in more detail in this Proxy Statement.
 
RECORD DATE; OUTSTANDING SHARES; QUORUM
 
     The Board of Directors of the Company has fixed the close of business on
April 13, 2005 (the "Record Date") as the date for the determination of
stockholders who are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting and at any
adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof. As of the Record Date, the Company's
outstanding capital stock consisted of 19,132,520 shares of Common Stock held by
approximately 2,450 holders of record entitled to vote on the matters described
herein. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote in the election of
 
                                        1

 
directors and on each matter submitted for stockholder approval. The Common
Stock is the Company's only outstanding class of stock as of the date of this
Proxy Statement.
 
QUORUM; ABSTENTIONS AND NON-VOTES; VOTE REQUIRED
 
     The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a
majority of the Company's outstanding shares of voting stock is necessary to
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting.
Abstentions and broker non-votes (which occur if a broker or other nominee does
not have discretionary authority and has not received voting instructions from
the beneficial owner with respect to the particular item) are counted for
purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction
of business. If there are not sufficient shares represented in person or by
proxy at the meeting to constitute a quorum, the meeting may be adjourned or
postponed in order to permit further solicitations of proxies by the Company.
 
     With respect to the election of two Class I directors, the two nominees
receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected as Class I
directors. The proposal to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP
as the Company's independent public accountants will be approved if the number
of votes cast in favor of the action exceeds the number of votes cast in
opposition and a quorum is present. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have
no effect on the outcome of the election of directors or the approval of the
independent public accountants.
 
     The Malcolm I. Glazer Family Limited Partnership, a Nevada limited
partnership (the "Glazer Partnership"), which, as of the date of this Proxy
Statement, held approximately 51% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, has
notified the Company that it intends to vote all of its shares at the Annual
Meeting in favor of the election of nominees for director named herein and for
the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
 
VOTING PROXIES
 
     All shares which are entitled to vote and are represented at the Annual
Meeting by properly executed proxies received prior to or at the meeting and not
revoked, will be voted as specified in the proxy. If no instructions have been
given in a proxy and authority to vote has not been withheld, the shares
represented thereby will be voted: for the election of all nominees for director
named herein; for the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers,
LLP as the Company's independent public accountants; and, in the discretion of
the persons named in the proxy on any other business that may properly come
before the Annual Meeting. Proxies may be revoked at any time prior to the
exercise thereof by filing with the Corporate Secretary, at the Company's
principal executive offices, a written revocation or a duly executed proxy
bearing a later date or by appearing at the meeting and voting in person.
 
STOCKHOLDER LIST
 
     For a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the Annual Meeting, a
complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting will be available
at the place of the Annual Meeting so that stockholders of record may inspect
the list only for proper purposes.
 
EXPENSES OF SOLICITATION
 
     The Company pays the cost of preparing, assembling and mailing this
proxy-soliciting material, and all costs of solicitation, including certain
expenses of brokers and nominees who mail proxy material to their customers or
principals.
 
                                        2

 
                                   PROPOSAL 1
 
                             ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
 
     Pursuant to the Company's Articles of Incorporation (the "Articles") and
By-Laws, the Board of Directors has fixed the size of the Board at seven (7)
directors. The Articles provide for division of the Board into three classes
(Class I, Class II and Class III) of as nearly equal number of directors as
possible. Thus, Class I and Class III are comprised of two directors each and
Class II is comprised of three directors.
 
     The term of each Class of directors is three years with the term for one
Class expiring each year in rotation. As a result, each year, one Class of
directors is elected. The term of the Class I directors expires at the Annual
Meeting.
 
     Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the two
nominees named. If any nominee becomes unavailable for any reason, shares
represented by the proxies designated as such in the enclosed Proxy Card will be
voted for such person or persons, if any, as may be designated by the Board of
Directors. At present, it is not anticipated that any nominee will be unable to
serve. Directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast for each
director at the Annual Meeting.
 
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS
 
  Class I Directors -- Three Year Term Expiring in the Year 2008
 
     Darcie S. Glazer, age 36, has served as a director since March 2002. For
more than the past five years, she has been employed by, and has worked on
behalf of, Malcolm I. Glazer, a self-employed private investor whose diversified
portfolio consists of investments in television broadcasting, restaurant
equipment, food services equipment, health care, banking, real estate, stocks,
government securities and corporate bonds, and who owns and controls The Malcolm
I. Glazer Family Limited Partnership. She has also been employed by, and has
worked on behalf of, a number of entities owned and controlled by Malcolm I.
Glazer including First Allied Corporation. Ms. Glazer serves as the Executive
Vice President of First Allied Corporation. Ms. Glazer served as an investment
analyst for Zapata from 1996 to February 2001. She also serves as a director of
Omega Protein Corporation (NYSE: OME), Zapata's majority-owned subsidiary. Ms.
Glazer is the sister of Avram A. Glazer, Bryan G. Glazer, and Edward S. Glazer.
 
     Bryan G. Glazer, age 40, has served as a director since May 1997. For more
than the past five years, he has been employed by, and has worked on behalf of,
Malcolm I. Glazer. He has also been employed by, and has worked on behalf of, a
number of entities owned and controlled by Malcolm I. Glazer including The Tampa
Bay Buccaneers. Mr. B. Glazer serves as the Executive Vice President of The
Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He also serves as a director of the Tampa Bay Performing
Arts Center. He is the brother of Avram A. Glazer, Edward S. Glazer and Darcie
S. Glazer.
 
     THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES AS CLASS I
DIRECTORS.
 
INFORMATION REGARDING DIRECTORS WHO ARE NOT NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AT THE ANNUAL
MEETING
 
  Class II Directors -- Three Year Term Expiring in the Year 2006
 
     Avram A. Glazer, age 44, has been a director of Zapata since July 1993. Mr.
Glazer has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since
March 1995, and has also served as Chairman of the Board since March 1, 2002. He
serves as a director, president, and chief executive officer of Zap.Com
Corporation (OTCBB: ZPCM), Zapata's 98%-owned subsidiary (which until December
2000 was an internet advertising and e-commerce network company, and is
currently a public shell company). He is also Chairman of the Board and a
director of Omega Protein Corporation (NYSE: OME), Zapata's majority-owned
subsidiary, and a director of Safety Components International, Inc. (OTCBB:
SAFY), Zapata's majority-owned subsidiary. He has served in these capacities
with Omega Protein and Safety Components since January 1998 and January 2004,
respectively. Avram A. Glazer is the brother of Bryan G. Glazer, Edward S.
Glazer and Darcie S. Glazer.
                                        3

 
     Warren H. Gfeller, age 52, has served as a director since May 1997. For
more than the past five years, he has operated Clayton/Hamilton Equities,
L.L.C., Stranger Valley Company, L.L.C. and Tatgc Chemical and Manufacturing,
Inc. Mr. Gfeller also serves as a director and as chairman of the audit
committee of Inergy, LP (NASD: NRGY) and Duckwall-ALCO Stores, Inc. (NASD:
DUCK), and as a director of Gardner Bancshares, Inc., and the Kansas Wildscape
Foundation. Mr. Gfeller serves on the Audit and Compensation Committees of the
Company's Board of Directors.
 
     John R. Halldow, age 37, has served as a director since June 2001. Mr.
Halldow is currently employed as the Director of Public Affairs for Rural Metro
Medical Services. From January 1999 through March 2003, Mr. Halldow served as
the Director of Government Relations for Erdman Anthony, an engineering firm, in
its Rochester, New York office. Prior to that time, from 1992 through December
1998, Mr. Halldow worked as the Eastern Regional Manager in the Office of U.S.
Representative Bill Paxon, in Victor, New York. Mr. Halldow serves on the Audit
Committee of the Company's Board of Directors.
 
  Class III Nominees -- Three Year Term Expiring in the Year 2007
 
     Edward S. Glazer, age 35, has served as a director since 1997. For more
than the past five years, he has been employed by, and has worked on behalf of,
Malcolm I. Glazer. He has also been employed by, and has worked on behalf of, a
number of entities owned and controlled by Malcolm I. Glazer, including The
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a National Football League franchise, where he serves as
the Executive Vice President. Mr. E. Glazer is the brother of Avram A. Glazer,
Bryan G. Glazer and Darcie S. Glazer.
 
     Robert V. Leffler, Jr., age 59, has served as a director since May 1995.
For more than the past five years, Mr. Leffler has owned and operated the
Leffler Agency, an advertising and marketing/public relations firm based in
Baltimore, Maryland and Tampa, Florida, which specializes in sports, rental real
estate and broadcast television. Mr. Leffler serves on the Audit and
Compensation Committees of the Company's Board of Directors.
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS -- COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS
 
     The Board of Directors has as two standing committees, the Audit Committee
and the Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors does not have a
nominating committee or a committee performing the function of a nominating
committee. The Board of Directors has determined that Zapata is a "controlled
company" for the purposes of Section 303A of the New York Stock Exchange Listed
Company Manual (the "NYSE Rules"), as the Malcolm I. Glazer Family Limited
Partnership controls more than 50% of the Company's voting power. As a result,
the Company is exempt from the provisions of Section 303A that require it, among
other things, to have a board of directors comprised of a majority of
independent directors, to have a compensation committee charter, and a
nominating committee, and it is making use of these exemptions.
 
     Audit Committee.  The primary objective and role of the Audit Committee is
to assist the Board in monitoring:
 
     - the integrity of the accounting and financial reporting practices of the
       Company;
 
     - the qualifications and independence of the public accounting firm engaged
       to prepare or issue an audit report on the financial statements of the
       Company;
 
     - performance of the Company's internal audit function; and
 
     - the compliance by the Company with legal and regulatory requirements.
 
     In doing so, the Audit Committee:
 
     - meets with the Company's independent auditors to review the Company's
       accounting policies, internal controls and other accounting and auditing
       matters;
 
     - confirms and assures the outside auditor's independence; makes
       recommendations to the Board of Directors as to the engagement of
       independent auditors; and
 
     - approves the fees and other compensation to be paid to the independent
       auditors.
                                        4

 
     The Board of Directors has adopted an amended and restated charter for the
Audit Committee which governs its structure, membership and operation. The
Committee has also established procedures for the receipt, retention and
treatment of complaints received by the Company regarding accounting, internal
accounting controls or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous
submission by employees of concerns regarding these matters.
 
     The Audit Committee currently is composed of Mr. Warren Gfeller (Chairman),
Mr. Robert V. Leffler, Jr. and Mr. John R. Halldow. The Board of Directors has
determined that Mr. Warren Gfeller qualifies as an "audit committee financial
expert," as defined by Item 402(h)(2) of Regulation S-K promulgated the
Securities and Exchange and Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). The Board of Directors has also
determined that each member is "independent," as such term is defined by the
current listing standards of the NYSE Rules governing audit committees.
 
     Compensation Committee.  The Committee has overall responsibility for:
 
     - approving and evaluating officer compensation plans, policies and
       programs of the Company; and
 
     - overseeing the production of an annual report on executive compensation
       for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement.
 
     The Compensation Committee currently is composed of Mr. Robert W. Leffler,
Jr. (Chairman) and Mr. Warren H. Gfeller. The Compensation Committee does not
have a charter.
 
     During 2004, the Board of Directors held 2 meetings and acted by unanimous
written consent 2 times. In addition, the Audit Committee held 6 meetings and
the Compensation Committee held one meeting. During 2004, each director of the
Company attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board
of Directors and committees on which each of them sit, except Edward Glazer who
attended 50% of the Board of Directors meetings in 2004.
 
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
 
     As a controlled company for the purposes of Section 303A of the NYSE Rules,
the Company is exempt from the provisions that require it, among other things,
to have a board of directors comprised of a majority of independent directors,
to have a compensation committee charter, and a nominating committee, and it is
making use of these exemptions. At such time when the Company ceases to be a
controlled company, it will adhere to the applicable transition periods provided
for by the NYSE Rules, in coming into full compliance with all of the
requirements of Section 303A.
 
     The Board of Directors has three members who have been determined by the
Board of Directors to be independent under Section 303A.02 of the NYSE Rules.
These directors are Messrs. Gfeller, Halldow and Leffler. The Board of Directors
made this determination on the basis that none of these directors has any
material relationship with the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
 
     Under the NYSE Rules, no director qualifies as independent unless the Board
of Directors affirmatively determines that the director has no material
relationship with the Company. Based upon information requested from and
provided by each director concerning their background, employment and
affiliations, including commercial, industrial, banking, consulting, legal,
accounting, charitable and familial relationships, the Board of Directors has
determined that each of the independent directors named above has no material
relationship with the Company, either directly or as a partner, shareholder or
officer of an organization that has a relationship with the Company, and is
therefore independent under the NYSE Rules.
 
     As provided for under the NYSE Rules, the Board of Directors has adopted
categorical standards or guidelines to assist the Board in making its
independence determinations with respect to each director. Under the NYSE Rules,
immaterial relationships that fall within the guidelines are not required to be
disclosed in this proxy statement.
 
                                        5

 
     The non-management directors will meet at least four times a year without
management present. The Board has designated Warren Gfeller to lead such
sessions. The non-management directors can set their own agenda, maintain
minutes and report back to the Board as a whole. Non-management directors who do
not meet the independence requirements of the NYSE Rules and any other
applicable laws, rules and regulations regarding independence may participate in
these sessions, but those directors who do meet the referenced independence
requirements must meet in separate executive session without the participation
of other directors at least once a year.
 
     As a "controlled company" for the purposes of Section 303A of the NYSE
Rules, and because of the relatively small size of the Board of Directors, the
Board of Directors has determined that it is appropriate not to have a
nominating committee. The entire Board of Directors functions in the capacity of
a nominating committee (which includes members that do not meet the NYSE
definition of "independent director").
 
     Stockholders and members of the Company's Board submit nominees for
election to the Company's Board of Directors to the entire Board for its
consideration. Historically, the Company has not had a formal policy concerning
stockholder recommendations to the Board of Directors. Except for the
nominations made by The Malcolm I. Glazer Family Limited Partnership, the
Company has not received any recommendations from stockholders requesting that
the Board consider a candidate for inclusion among the slate of nominees in the
Company's Proxy Statement. The absence of such a policy does not mean, however,
that a recommendation would not have been considered had one been received. The
Board would consider any candidate proposed in good faith by a stockholder. To
do so, a stockholder should send the candidate's name, credentials, contact
information, and his or her consent to be considered as a candidate to the
Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board Directors, Avram
Glazer. The proposing stockholder should also include his or her contact
information and a statement of his or her share ownership (how many shares owned
and for how long).
 
     In evaluating director nominees, the Board considers the appropriate skills
and personal characteristics needed in light of the makeup of the current Board,
including considerations of character, background and experience. Other than the
foregoing, there are no stated minimum criteria for director nominees, although
the Board of Directors may also consider such other factors as it may deem are
in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. The Board does,
however, believe it appropriate for at least one, and preferably several,
members of the Board to meet the criteria for an "audit committee financial
expert" as defined by Commission rules and for a "financially sophisticated"
audit committee member as defined by NYSE Rules. The Company also believes it
appropriate for certain key members of the Company's management to participate
as members of the Board.
 
     The Board of Directors identifies nominees by first evaluating the current
members of the Board willing to continue in service. Current members of the
Board with skills and experience that are relevant to the Company's business and
who are willing to continue in service are considered for re-nomination. If any
member of the Board does not wish to continue in service or if the Board decides
not to re-nominate a member for re-election, the Board then identifies the
desired skills and experience of a new nominee in light of the criteria above.
Current members of the Board of Directors are polled for suggestions as to
individuals meeting the criteria described above. The Board may also engage in
research to identify qualified individuals. To date, the Company has not engaged
third parties to identify or evaluate or assist in identifying potential
nominees, although the Company reserves the right in the future to retain a
third party search firm, if necessary.
 
     Director nominees D. Glazer and B. Glazer, and directors E. Glazer and A.
Glazer, were submitted for nomination for election to the Company's Board of
Directors by The Malcolm I. Glazer Family Limited Partnership.
 
     The Company encourages all incumbent directors, as well as all nominees for
election as director, to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
 
                                        6

 
     Stockholders who wish to communicate with the Board or any individual
director, including a non-management director, can write to:
 
     Zapata Corporation
     Board Administration
     100 Meridian Centre, Suite 350
     Rochester, New York 14618
 
     The letter should indicate that the sender is a stockholder. Depending on
the subject matter, management will:
 
     - forward the letter to the director or directors to whom it is addressed;
 
     - attempt to handle the matter directly (as where information about the
       Company or its stock is requested); or
 
     - not forward the letter if it is primarily commercial in nature or relates
       to an improper or irrelevant topic.
 
     A summary of all relevant communications that are received after the last
meeting and which are not forwarded will be presented at each Board meeting
along with any specific communication requested by a director.
 
CODE OF ETHICS AND BUSINESS
 
     The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct to provide
guidance to the Company's directors and key employees, including the Company's
principal executive officer, principal accounting officer or controller or
persons performing similar functions (collectively, the "Selected Officers").
 
GOVERNANCE DOCUMENTS
 
     The Company has posted its Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics and its Amended and Restated Audit Committee Charter
on its internet website at http://www.zapatacorp.com. The Company's governance
documents are available in print without charge to any stockholder of record
that makes a written request to the Company. Inquiries must be directed to the
Zapata Corporation Investor Relations, 100 Meridian Centre Suite 350, Rochester,
NY 14618.
 
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
 
     During 2004, directors who were not employees of the Company were paid an
annual retainer of $30,000 (on a quarterly basis), plus $1,000 for each
committee of the Board of Directors on which a director served. Those directors
who also are employees of the Company do not receive any additional compensation
for their services as directors.
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
 
     The following sets forth certain information with respect to the Executive
Officers of the Company, as of the date of this Proxy Statement. All officers of
the Company serve at the pleasure of the Company's Board of Directors until
their successors are elected and qualified.
 


NAME                                        AGE                        POSITION
----                                        ---                        --------
                                            
Avram A. Glazer...........................  44    Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
                                                  Executive Officer
Leonard DiSalvo...........................  46    Vice President -- Finance and Chief Financial
                                                  Officer
Gordon E. Forth...........................  43    Secretary

 
     Leonard DiSalvo, age 46, joined Zapata in September 1998 and currently
serves as its Vice President -- Finance and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. DiSalvo
also currently serves as Vice President -- Finance and
 
                                        7

 
Chief Financial Officer of Zap.Com Corporation, a position he has held since
April 1999, and a director of Zapata's majority-owned subsidiary, Safety
Components International, Inc. (OTCBB: SAFY), a position he has held since
January 2004. Mr. DiSalvo also serves as Chairman of the Safety Components'
Compensation Committee. Mr. DiSalvo has over 20 years of experience in the areas
of finance and accounting. Mr. DiSalvo served as a finance manager for
Constellation Brands, Inc., a national manufacturer and distributor of wine,
spirits and beer, since 1996. Prior to that position, Mr. DiSalvo held various
management positions in the areas of finance and accounting in the Contact Lens
Division of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated. Mr. DiSalvo is a Certified Public
Accountant.
 
     Gordon E. Forth, age 43, has served as Zapata's Secretary since December
1998. Mr. Forth also serves as Secretary of Zap.Com Corporation, a position he
has held since April 1999. Mr. Forth is a partner of Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP, a
Rochester, New York based law firm. Mr. Forth has practiced law at the Woods
Oviatt firm since 1987.
 
     See Proposal 1 -- Election of Directors above for information concerning
the Company's Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer,
Avram A. Glazer.
 
                             EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
 
     The summary compensation table below sets forth information regarding
compensation with respect to 2004, 2003 and 2002 for services in all capacities
rendered to the Company and its subsidiaries by the Company's Chief Executive
Officer and the other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company
with annual compensation in excess of $100,000 who were serving as executive
officers during 2004 (the "NAMED OFFICERS").
 


                                                                     LONG-TERM
                                                                   COMPENSATION
                                                                      AWARDS
                                                                 -----------------
                                                                    SECURITIES
                                                                    UNDERLYING         ALL OTHER COMPENSATION
                                         ANNUAL COMPENSATION      OPTIONS/SARS(#)      -----------------------
                               FISCAL   ----------------------   -----------------       SAFETY
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION     YEAR    SALARY($)     BONUS($)   ZAPATA    ZAP.COM     COMPONENTS      ZAPATA
---------------------------    ------   ---------     --------   -------   -------     -----------     -------
                                                                                  
Avram A. Glazer,(1).........    2004    $600,000      $     --        --   365,000(2)    $11,446(3)        --
  Chairman of the Board,        2003     400,000       200,000        --        --            --           --
  President and                 2002     400,000       200,000        --        --            --           --
  Chief Executive Officer
Leonard DiSalvo,(4).........    2004    $160,000(5)   $ 40,000        --   100,000       $32,791(3)    $8,000(6)
  Vice President -- Finance     2003     150,594(5)     25,000   160,000        --            --        7,025(6)
  and Chief Financial
  Officer                       2002     139,880(5)     25,000        --        --            --        5,550(6)

 
---------------
 
(1) Mr. A. Glazer also serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of
    Zap.Com, Zapata's 98% owned subsidiary. Zapata allocated approximately
    $6,000, $4,000, and $4,000 of Mr. A. Glazer's annual salary for 2004, 2003,
    and 2002 respectively to Zap.Com under a shared services agreement between
    the two companies. No amounts of Mr. A. Glazer's bonuses have been allocated
    to Zap.Com.
 
(2) The options granted to Mr. A. Glazer are subject to the approval of
    Zap.Com's stockholders at its upcoming annual meeting to be held on June 1,
    2005.
 
(3) Amounts presented represent payments from Safety Components International,
    Inc., Zapata's majority-owned subsidiary, in exchange for services rendered
    as a member of Safety's Board of Directors.
 
(4) Mr. DiSalvo also serves as Vice President -- Finance and Chief Financial
    Officer of Zap.Com, Zapata's 98% owned subsidiary. Zapata allocated
    approximately $7,000 per year of Mr. DiSalvo's annual salary for 2004, 2003
    and 2002 to Zap.Com under a shared services agreement between the two
    companies. No amounts of Mr. DiSalvo's bonuses have been allocated to
    Zap.Com.
 
(5) Includes compensation deferred pursuant to the Company's qualified 401(k)
    Plan.
 
                                        8

 
(6) Amounts presented represent the Company's matching contribution to Mr.
    DiSalvo's account under the Zapata Corporation 401(k) Plan.
 
     While the Company's officers receive benefits in the form of certain
perquisites, none of the Named Officers received perquisites which exceeded in
value the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of such officer's total annual salary and
bonus for any of the years shown in the Summary Compensation Table.
 
                       OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
     The following table provides information concerning the grant of stock
options by Zap.Com in the last fiscal year. No stock options were granted by
Zapata to its Named Officers in the last fiscal year.
 


                                                                                     POTENTIALLY REALIZABLE
                                                                                        VALUE AT ASSUMED
                                              PERCENT OF                                 ANNUAL RATE OF
                                NUMBER OF       TOTAL                                     STOCK PRICE
                                SECURITIES     OPTIONS                                  APPRECIATION FOR
                                UNDERLYING    GRANTED TO    EXERCISE                     OPTION TERM(2)
                                 OPTIONS     EMPLOYEES IN     PRICE     EXPIRATION   ----------------------
NAME                            GRANTED(1)   FISCAL YEAR    ($/SHARE)      DATE         5%          10%
----                            ----------   ------------   ---------   ----------   ---------   ----------
                                                                               
ZAP.COM CORPORATION STOCK
  OPTION GRANTS
Avram A. Glazer...............   365,000(3)      71.4%        $0.08     11/2/2009     $8,000      $18,000
Leonard DiSalvo...............   100,000         19.6%         0.08     11/2/2009      2,000        5,000

 
---------------
 
(1) Stock options are awarded at the fair market value of Common Stoc at the
    date of grant. All options are exercisable in cumulative one-third
    installments vesting annually beginning on the first anniversary of the date
    of grant.
 
(2) The amounts shown as potentially realizable values are based on arbitrarily
    assumed rates of stock price appreciations of 5% and 10% over the full term
    of the options (5 years for Zap.Com grants), as required by applicable
    regulations and are provided for illustrative purposes only and do not
    reflect the Company's estimate or projection of future Common Stock prices.
 
(3) The options granted to Mr. A. Glazer are subject to the approval of
    Zap.Com's stockholders at its upcoming annual meeting to be held on June 1,
    2005.
 
     The following table provides information concerning options held by the
Named Officers as of end of 2004.
 
   AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION
                                     VALUES
 


                                                               NUMBER OF
                                                         SECURITIES UNDERLYING         VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                SHARES                    UNEXERCISED OPTIONS          IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                               ACQUIRED      VALUE        AT FISCAL YEAR-END          AT FISCAL YEAR-END($)
NAME                          ON EXERCISE   REALIZED   EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE   EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE(1)
----                          -----------   --------   -------------------------   ----------------------------
                                                                       
ZAPATA CORPORATION STOCK
  OPTIONS
Avram A. Glazer.............      --          --            107,672/0                    $ 183,796/$0
Leonard DiSalvo.............      --          --            165,333/106,667              $507,300/$72,000
ZAP.COM STOCK OPTIONS
Avram A. Glazer.............      --          --                  0/365,000(2)           $       0/$0
Leonard DiSalvo.............      --          --                  0/100,000              $       0/$0

 
---------------
 
(1) On December 31, 2004, the closing price per share of Zapata's common stock
    on the NYSE was $7.488. On December 31, 2004, the closing price per share of
    Zap.Com's common stock on the OTCBB was $.08.
 
                                        9

 
(2) The options granted to Mr. A. Glazer are subject to the approval of
    Zap.Com's stockholders at its upcoming annual meeting to be held on June 1,
    2005.
 
CERTAIN EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
 
     Zapata's executive officers participate or have participated in certain
stock option and incentive plans, retirement and profit sharing/401(k) plans
sponsored by Zapata, some of which are intended to qualify for tax-favored
treatment under the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the "Code"). These plans
include Zapata's Amended and Restated Special Incentive Plan (the "1987 Plan"),
the 1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "1996 Plan"), the Zapata Pension Plan
("Pension Plan"), the Zapata Supplemental Pension Benefit Plan and the Zapata
Corporation 401(k) Plan.
 
     The 1987 Plan provides for the granting of stock options and the awarding
of restricted stock. Under the 1987 Plan, options may be granted at prices
equivalent to the market value of the common stock at the date of grant. Options
become exercisable on dates as determined by the Zapata Board of Director's
Compensation Committee, provided that the earliest such date cannot occur before
six months after the date of grant. Unexercised options will expire on varying
dates, up to a maximum of ten years from the date of grant. All options granted
vest ratably over three years beginning on the first anniversary of the date of
grant and have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the stock at
grant date. The awards of restricted stock have a restriction period of not less
than six months and not more than five years. The 1987 Plan provided for the
issuance of up to 480,000 shares of the common stock. During 1992, the
stockholders approved an amendment to the 1987 Plan that provides for the
automatic grant of a nonqualified stock option to directors of Zapata who are
not employees of Zapata or any subsidiary of Zapata. As of December 31, 2004,
stock options covering a total of 26,664 shares had been exercised. No shares of
common stock are available for future stock options or other awards under the
Plan. As of December 31, 2004, there were options for the purchase of up to
53,336 shares outstanding under the 1987 plan.
 
     The 1996 Plan provides for the granting of restricted stock, stock
appreciation rights, stock options and other types of awards to key employees of
the Company. Under the 1996 Plan, options may be granted by the Committee at
prices equivalent to the market value of the common stock on the date of grant.
Options become exercisable in one or more installments on such dates as the
Committee may determine. Unexercised options will expire on varying dates up to
a maximum of ten years from the date of grant. All options granted vest ratably
over three years beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant and
have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the stock at grant
date. The 1996 Plan provides for the issuance of options to purchase up to
8,000,000 shares of common stock. At December 31, 2004, stock options covering a
total of 838,528 shares had been exercised and a total of 5,906,400 shares of
common stock are available for future stock options or other awards under the
Plan. As of December 31, 2004 there were options for the purchase of up to
1,255,072 shares outstanding under the 1996 plan.
 
     Zapata maintains a pension plan that is a non-contributory qualified
defined benefit pension plan and is intended to qualify under Internal Revenue
Code sec.401(a). All employees of Zapata are eligible. Highly compensated
employees (generally, employees who own more than 5% of the stock of Zapata and
employees earning in excess of $85,000) became eligible to participate on
January 1, 2002. Based on the January 1, 2002 plan amendment, highly compensated
employees were credited with up to 5 years of prior service. An employee becomes
a participant upon completion of one-year of service (1,000 hours in a
computation period) or attainment of age 21, whichever is later. Retirement
benefits under the pension plan are based on an employee's length of employment,
average monthly compensation and social security covered compensation.
Compensation for this purpose includes salary and other compensation paid by
Zapata and reportable on Form W-2, but excludes fringe benefits (cash and
non-cash), including compensation related to stock option plans which is
reported in the above Summary Compensation Table. The Code limits the amount of
compensation that may be considered ($200,000 for 2003) and the annual benefits
which may be payable from the pension plan. Pension plan participants are 100%
vested in accrued benefits after five years of vesting service.
 
                                        10

 
     The following table shows the estimated annual benefit payable to employees
on retirement under Zapata's pension plan to employees in the specified
compensation and years of service classification. The retirement benefits shown
are based upon an employee retiring at age 65 in 2003 who elect to receive
benefits in the form of a single life annuity (although a participant can select
other methods of calculating benefits). The amounts shown are based on current
average social security wage base amounts and are not subject to any deduction
for social security or other offset amounts.
 
                          PENSION PLAN BENEFITS TABLE
 


                                                              YEARS OF SERVICE
                                              ------------------------------------------------
REMUNERATION (*)                                15        20        25        30         35
----------------                              -------   -------   -------   -------   --------
                                                                       
$125,000....................................  $28,988   $38,651   $48,313   $57,976   $ 67,639
 150,000....................................   35,363    47,151    58,938    70,726     82,514
 175,000....................................   41,738    55,651    69,563    83,476     97,389
 200,000....................................   48,113    64,151    80,188    96,226    112,264
 225,000....................................   49,388*   65,851*   82,313*   98,776*   115,239*
 250,000....................................   49,388*   65,851*   82,313*   98,776*   115,239*
 300,000....................................   48,388*   65,851*   82,313*   98,776*   115,239*
 400,000....................................   48,388*   65,851*   82,313*   98,776*   115,239*
 450,000....................................   48,388*   65,851*   82,313*   98,776*   115,239*
 500,000....................................   48,388*   65,851*   82,313*   98,776*   115,239*

 
---------------
 
(*) Internal Revenue Code limits covered compensation to $205,000 for 2004.
 
     As a result of the January 2002 amendment to the pension plan, Zapata's
Named Officers who are currently employed by the Company are now eligible to
participate under the Pension Plan. The compensation covered by the pension plan
includes the annual salaries and bonus of Messrs. Avram Glazer and Leonard
DiSalvo, but no other amounts shown in the above Summary Compensation table.
Estimated credited years of service for Mr. Glazer is 8 years, and for Mr.
DiSalvo is 6 years. Amounts shown in the pension plan table are subject to
deductions to for social security.
 
     The Zapata Supplemental Pension Plan was adopted effective April 1, 1992.
This plan provides supplemental retirement payments to certain former senior
executives of Zapata. The amounts of such payments equal the difference between
the amounts received under the applicable pension plan and the amounts that
would otherwise be received if pension plan payments were not reduced as the
result of the limitations upon compensation and benefits imposed by federal law.
Effective December 1994, the supplemental pension plan was frozen, except with
respect to benefits already accrued.
 
     The Zapata 401(k) Plan is qualified under Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the
Code. Under the Plan, 3 types of contributions are authorized: (1) employee
pre-tax, salary reduction contributions ("elective deferrals"); (2) matching
employer contributions for participants who make elective deferrals to the Plan
; and (3) discretionary employer contributions, based on cash flow,
profitability and other financial circumstances as Zapata determines to be
relevant. The matching contribution formula is 100% on elective deferrals up to
3% of compensation for the year and 50% of all deferral contributions of more
than 3%; elective deferrals exceeding 5% of compensation for the year are not
matched. All employees are eligible for participation in the elective deferral
and matching contribution features of the plan upon attainment of age 21 or
completion of 3 months of service, whichever is later. For the purposes of
employer discretionary contributions, an employee enters the plan after
completing 1 year of service or attaining age 21, whichever is later. Matching
contributions are fully vested while discretionary employer contributions, if
any, vest 20% for each year of vesting service.
 
                                        11

 
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
 
     Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act")
requires the Company's directors and executive officers, and persons who own
more than 10% of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") and the NYSE
initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock
and other equity securities of the Company. Directors, officers and greater than
10% stockholders are required by the Commission's regulations to furnish the
Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based upon a review of
the copies of such forms furnished to the Company and written representations
that no other reports were required, the Company believes that during 2004, all
such filings required to be made by such persons were timely made in accordance
with the requirements of the Exchange Act.
 
                      REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
 
     The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee") is
composed of two non-employee directors. The Committee is responsible for setting
and administering the policies that govern executive salaries, bonuses, and
other compensation including stock option grants.
 
     The Committee endeavors to ensure that the compensation programs for the
Company's executive officers are effective in attracting and retaining key
executives responsible for the success of the Company and are administered in an
appropriate fashion in the long-term best interests of the Company and its
stockholders. The Committee seeks to align total compensation for the Company's
executive officers with the performance of the Company in light of its corporate
strategy and objectives, including the returns to stockholders, and the
individual performance of each executive officer in assisting the Company in
accomplishing its goals. The Company's compensation program consists of (1) an
annual component, which includes base salary and an annual incentive bonus, and
(2) a long-term component potentially consisting of stock options, stock
appreciation rights, stock awards and cash awards. The Committee takes into
consideration the recommendations of management in awarding compensation and
setting compensation levels.
 
     The Committee's policy with respect to 2004 base salaries and bonuses for
executive officers was to keep such amounts competitive with other companies of
comparable size and complexity. Compensation in any particular case may vary
from the industry average on the basis of annual and long-term Company
performance as well as individual performance. The Committee will exercise its
discretion to set compensation where, in its judgment, external, internal or
individual circumstances warrant it.
 
BASE SALARY
 
     The determination of base salaries for executive officers during 2004 was
based on the results of a compensation survey which was conducted during 2004,
and the Committee's subjective evaluation of individual and Company performance.
The 2004 compensation survey was conducted for purposes of determining general
competitive compensation levels and did not involve application of objective
measures of performance.
 
ANNUAL INCENTIVE BONUS
 
     Bonuses were paid to executive officers for 2004 based on the subjective
evaluation of individual and Company performance.
 
STOCK OPTIONS
 
     Stock options are designed to provide long-term incentives and rewards,
tied to the price of the Company's Common Stock. The Committee believes that
stock options, which provide value to the participants only when the Company's
stockholders benefit from stock price appreciation, are an appropriate
complement to the Company's overall compensation policies. All employees,
including executive officers, may receive stock options from time to time under
the Company's stock option plan. The Committee takes into consideration the
recommendations of management in awarding stock option grants to non-executive
                                        12

 
employees and directors. The decision to award stock options to an executive is
based upon such considerations as the executive's overall compensation package,
job performance, future potential, awards made to executives at comparable
companies and other factors.
 
     Stock option grants made during 2004 were based on the subjective criteria
as described above.
 
COMPENSATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
 
     The compensation policies described above apply to the compensation of the
President and Chief Executive Officer. The Committee is directly responsible for
determining the salary level, annual bonuses and all awards and grants to the
President and Chief Executive Officer. The Committee also gives consideration to
its assessment of past performance and its expectations of future contributions.
In the Committee's opinion, the Mr. Avram Glazer's salary reflects his position,
duties, responsibilities with, and contributions to the Company.
 
     Robert V. Leffler, Jr., Chairman
     Warren H. Gfeller
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
     During 2004, Mr. Robert V. Leffler, Jr. and Mr. Warren H. Gfeller served on
the Company's Compensation Committee.
 
                         REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
 
     The Company's management has the primary responsibility for the financial
statements and the reporting process including the systems of internal controls.
The primary purpose of the Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors
is to assist the Board of Directors in monitoring:
 
     - the integrity of the accounting and financial reporting practices of the
       Company,
 
     - the qualifications and independence of the public accounting firm engaged
       to prepare or issue an audit report on the financial statements of the
       Company,
 
     - performance of the Company's internal audit function, and
 
     - the compliance by the Company with legal and regulatory requirements.
 
     The Audit Committee met six times during 2004. Representatives from the
Company's independent auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLC ("PwC") were present
at each of the Committee's six meetings.
 
     On January 12, 2005, the Audit Committee received from PwC the written
disclosures and the letter regarding PwC's independence required by Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees.
Additionally, the Audit Committee and PwC have also discussed PwC's independence
relative to the Company.
 
     The Audit Committee has discussed with PwC the Company's financial
management and financial structure and the matters relating to the conduct of
the audit required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards 61. The
Audit Committee has also reviewed and discussed with the Company's management
the Company's audited consolidated financial statements relating to 2004.
 
     Based upon the review and discussions described above, the Audit Committee
recommended to the Company's Board of Directors that the Company's consolidated
financial statements for 2004, audited by PwC be included in the Company's 2004
Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
March 14, 2005
 
     Warren H. Gfeller, Chairman
     John R. Halldow
     Robert V. Leffler, Jr.
 
                                        13

 
                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
     During 2002, the Company finalized the terms of a consulting agreement with
its former Chairman of the Board of Directors, Malcolm Glazer. Subject to the
terms of the agreement, the Company pays Malcolm Glazer $122,500 per month until
April 30, 2006. The agreement also provides for health and other medical
benefits for Mr. Glazer and his wife. This agreement will terminate in the event
of Mr. Glazer's death or permanent disability.
 
     In February 2005, the Compensation Committee modified the terms of certain
outstanding stock options held by directors Darcie Glazer and Edward Glazer, to
extend the early termination of the exercise period following Darcie Glazer's
termination of employment with the Company in 2001. Consistent with FASB
Interpretation No. 44, "Accounting for Certain Transactions involving Stock
Compensation (an interpretation of APB Opinion No. 25)" the Company will record
a compensation charge of approximately $353,000 in the first quarter of 2005
related to these modifications.
 
     Gordon E. Forth, who serves as corporate secretary of Zapata and Zap.Com,
is a partner at Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP which has acted as counsel to Zapata and
Zap.Com.
 
         SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
     The following table indicates the number of shares of Zapata Common Stock
owned beneficially as of April 15, 2005 by
 
     - each person known to the Company to beneficially own more than 5% of the
       outstanding shares of Common Stock,
 
     - each director,
 
     - the Named Officers, and
 
     - all directors and executive officers as a group.
 
     Except to the extent indicated in the footnotes to the following table,
each of the persons or entities listed therein has sole voting and investment
power with respect to the shares which are reported as beneficially owned by
such person or entity. The Company does not know of any arrangements, including
any pledge by any person of securities of the Company, the operation of which
may at a subsequent date result in a change of control of the Company.
 
     The following calculations are based upon the shares of the Company's
common stock issued and outstanding on March 31, 2004 plus the number of such
shares of common stock outstanding pursuant to SEC Rule 13d-3(d)(1). Shares of
the Company's common stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days of
April 15, 2005 are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the percentage
of the person holding such option but are not deemed outstanding for computing
the percentage of any other person.
 
                                        14

 
ZAPATA CORPORATION
 


                                                               AMOUNT AND
                                                               NATURE OF
NAME AND ADDRESS                                               BENEFICIAL      PERCENT
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                                           OWNERSHIP(1)   OF CLASS(1)
-------------------                                           ------------   -----------
                                                                       
Malcolm I. Glazer(2)(3).....................................   10,073,112       51.9%
Royce & Associates, LLC(4)..................................    1,980,800       10.4%
Wellington Management Company, LLP(5).......................    1,710,400        8.9%
Donald Smith & Co., Inc.(6).................................    1,024,480        5.4%
Avram A. Glazer(3)..........................................      137,272          *
Robert V. Leffler, Jr.(3)...................................       13,336          *
Warren H. Gfeller(3)........................................       24,000          *
Bryan G. Glazer(3)..........................................      127,672          *
Edward S. Glazer(3).........................................      115,672          *
Darcie S. Glazer(3).........................................      115,672          *
Leonard DiSalvo(3)..........................................      165,333          *
John R. Halldow(3)..........................................        8,000          *
All directors and executive officers of Zapata as a group (8
  persons)..................................................      706,957        3.6%

 
---------------
 
 *  Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1.0%.
 
(1) The calculations for these columns are based upon the number of shares of
    Common Stock issued and outstanding on April 15, 2005, plus the number of
    shares of Common Stock deemed outstanding pursuant to SEC Rule 13d-3(d)(1).
    Shares of Company Common Stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days
    of April 15, 2005 are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the
    percentage of the person holding such option but are not deemed outstanding
    for computing the percentage of any other person.
 
(2) 9,813,112 of the shares reported are held in the name of The Malcolm I.
    Glazer Family Limited Partnership, 270 Commerce Drive, Rochester, New York
    14623, in which Malcolm Glazer controls the sole general partner.
 
(3) Presently reported ownership includes 260,000, 107,672, 13,336, 24,000,
    115,672, 115,672, 115,672, 165,333 and 8,000 shares issuable under options
    exercisable within 60 days of April 15, 2005 held by Messrs. M. Glazer, A.
    Glazer, Leffler, Gfeller, B. Glazer, E. Glazer, Ms. D. Glazer, Messrs.
    DiSalvo, and Halldow, respectively.
 
(4) Based solely on a Schedule 13G, dated April 8, 2005, Royce & Associates
    ("Royce"), LLC, 1414 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019, is
    the beneficial holder of 1,980,800 shares. Royce is an investment adviser
    registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Royce
    possesses voting power over the shares owned.
 
(5) Based solely on a Schedule 13G, dated February 14, 2005, Wellington
    Management Company ("WMC"), LLP, 75 State St., Boston, Massachusetts 02109,
    is the beneficial owner of 1,854,400 shares. WMC is an investment adviser
    registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and acts
    as parent company or control person in accordance with Rule
    13d-b1(b)(1)(ii)(G).
 
(6) Based solely on a Schedule 13G, dated February 9, 2005, Donald Smith & Co.,
    ("Donald Smith") Inc., 152 West 57(th) Street, New York, New York 10019, is
    the beneficial owner of 1,024,480 shares. Donald Smith is an investment
    advisor registered in accordance with Section 240.13-d-1(b)(1)(ii)(E).
 
     The following table indicates the number of shares of common stock of
Zapata's subsidiaries owned beneficially as of April 15, 2005 by each Named
Officer and all directors and executive officers as a group. Except to the
extent indicated in the footnotes to the following table, each of the persons or
entities listed
 
                                        15

 
therein has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares which
are reported as beneficially owned by such person or entity.
 
  Safety Components International, Inc.
 


                                                              AMOUNT AND
                                                              NATURE OF
NAME AND ADDRESS                                              BENEFICIAL   PERCENT
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                                           OWNERSHIP    OF CLASS
-------------------                                           ----------   --------
                                                                     
Avram Glazer................................................     --          --
Leonard DiSalvo.............................................     --          --
All directors and executive officers of Zapata as a group...     --          --

 
  Omega Protein Corporation
 


                                                              AMOUNT AND
                                                              NATURE OF
NAME AND ADDRESS                                              BENEFICIAL   PERCENT
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                                           OWNERSHIP    OF CLASS
-------------------                                           ----------   --------
                                                                     
Avram Glazer(1).............................................   568,200       2.3%(2)
Leonard DiSalvo.............................................        --        --
All directors and executive officers of Zapata as a group...   568,200       2.3%

 
---------------
 
 *  Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1.0%.
 
(1) Includes 568,200 shares issuable under options exercisable within 60 days of
    December 31, 2004.
 
(2) The calculations for these columns are based upon the number of shares of
    Common Stock issued and outstanding on December 31, 2994, plus the number of
    shares of Common Stock deemed outstanding pursuant to SEC Rule 13d-3(d)(1).
    Shares of Company Common Stock subject to options exercisable within 60 days
    of December 31, 2004 are deemed outstanding for purposes of computing the
    percentage of the person holding such option but are not deemed outstanding
    for computing the percentage of any other person. As of December 31, 2004,
    Omega Protein had outstanding 25,258,309 shares of common stock.
 
  Zap.Com Corporation
 


                                                              AMOUNT AND
                                                              NATURE OF
NAME AND ADDRESS                                              BENEFICIAL   PERCENT
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                                           OWNERSHIP    OF CLASS
-------------------                                           ----------   --------
                                                                     
Avram Glazer................................................     --          --
Leonard DiSalvo.............................................     --          --
All directors and executive officers of Zapata as a group...     --          --

 
                               CHANGE OF CONTROL
 
     On September 2, 2004, the Malcolm I. Glazer Family Limited Partnership
filed a Schedule 13D (the "13D") indicating that it had acquired 917,600 shares
of the Company's Common Stock in a broker assisted open market transaction at
the price of $7.69 per share, for an aggregate consideration of $7,054,050.
Malcolm Glazer controls the sole general partner of the Malcolm I. Glazer Family
Limited Partnership. The 13D states that the Malcolm I. Glazer Family Limited
Partnership acquired the Company's shares with a capital contribution of
personal funds from Mr. Glazer.
 
     Following completion of the transaction, the Malcolm I. Glazer Family
Limited Partnership beneficially owns 10,073,104 shares of the Company's Common
Stock, which constitutes approximately 51.9% of the Company's outstanding shares
of Common Stock. As the result the transaction, the Malcolm I. Glazer Family
Limited Partnership's beneficial ownership of the Company's voting securities
increased from approximately 47.2%. This amount includes 260,000 shares
beneficially owned by Malcolm Glazer that are purchasable upon the exercise of
stock options presently or within 60 days after the date hereof under certain of
the Registrant's stock option plans.
 
                                        16

 
                      STOCKHOLDER RETURN PERFORMANCE GRAPH
 
     The Commission requires a five-year comparison of the cumulative total
return of the Company's Common Stock with that of (1) a broad equity market
index and (2) a published industry or line-of-business index, or index of peer
companies with similar market capitalization. Pursuant to the Commission's
rules, the graph presented below includes comparisons of the performance (on a
cumulative total return basis) of the Company's Common Stock with the S&P
SmallCap 600 Index and the Dow Jones US Industrial Diversified Index. The stock
price performance shown on the graph is not necessarily indicative of future
price performance.
 
     The Stock Performance Graph shall not be deemed incorporated by reference
by any general statement incorporating by reference the Proxy Statement into any
filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this
document by reference and shall not otherwise be deemed filed.
 
                 COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
             AMONG ZAPATA CORPORATION, THE S & P SMALLCAP 600 INDEX
               AND THE DOW JONES US INDUSTRIAL DIVERSIFIED INDEX
 
                                  (LINE GRAPH)
 


                                                        CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        12/99     12/00     12/01     12/02     12/03     12/04
           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       
            Zapata Corporation         100.00     33.79     62.70     66.05    125.38    129.51
           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            S & P SmallCap 600         100.00    111.80    119.11    101.69    141.13    173.09
           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Dow Jones US Industrial
              Diversified              100.00    100.72     90.55     58.80     79.54     94.79
           -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 
---------------
* $100 invested on 12/31/99 in stock or index -- including reinvestment of
  dividends. Fiscal year ending December 31.
 
Copyright (C) 2002, Standard & Poor's, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies,
Inc. All rights reserved.
www.researchdatagroup.com/S&P.htm
 
                                        17

 
                                   PROPOSAL 2
 
         RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
     The Board of Directors, acting on the recommendation of its Audit
Committee, has selected the firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP to act as the
Company's independent public accountants and to conduct an audit, in accordance
with generally accepted auditing standards, of the Company's financial
statements for the year ending December 31, 2005.
 
     The Board of Directors considers PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP to be well
qualified. A representative of that firm is expected to be present at the Annual
Meeting to respond to appropriate questions and will be given an opportunity to
make a statement if he or she so desires. Neither the firm nor any of its
partners has any direct financial interest or any indirect financial interest in
the Company other than as independent auditors. This selection is being
submitted for ratification at the meeting.
 
     This proposal will be ratified if the number of votes cast in favor of the
action exceeds the number of votes cast in opposition to the action, and a
quorum is present. If not ratified, the selection will be reconsidered by the
Board, although the Board of Directors will not be required to select different
independent auditors for the Company.
 
     THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE RATIFICATION OF THE
BOARD'S APPOINTMENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT
PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS.
 
AUDITORS' FEES
 
     Our Audit Committee's policy is to pre-approve all audit and permissible
non-audit services provided by the independent auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP. Our Audit Committee pre-approved all such audit and non-audit services
provided by the independent auditors. These services have included audit
services, audit-related services, tax services and other services. Pre-approval
is generally provided for up to one year and any pre-approval is detailed as to
the particular service or category of services and is generally subject to a
specific budget. The independent auditors and management are required to
periodically report to the Audit Committee regarding the extent of services
provided by the independent auditors in accordance with this pre-approval and
the fees for the services performed to date. The Audit Committee may also
pre-approve particular services on a case-by-case basis.
 


                                                           YEAR ENDED             YEAR ENDED
                                                       DECEMBER 31, 2004      DECEMBER 31, 2003
                                                      --------------------   --------------------
                                                                       
Audit Fees..........................................        $136,200               $ 93,000
Audit-Related Fees..................................              --                 15,100
Tax Fees............................................         125,838                105,200
All Other Fees......................................              --                     --

 
                                        18

 
                                  HOUSEHOLDING
 
     The SEC allows the Company to deliver a single proxy statement and annual
report to an address shared by two or more stockholders. This delivery method,
referred to as "householding," can result in significant cost savings for the
Company. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, Zapata and banks and
brokerage firms that hold your shares have delivered only one proxy statement
and annual report to multiple stockholders who share an address unless the
Company has received contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders.
The Company will deliver promptly, upon written or oral request, a separate copy
of the proxy statement and annual report to a stockholder at a shared address to
which a single copy of the documents was delivered. A stockholder who wishes to
receive a separate copy of the proxy statement and annual report, now or in the
future, may obtain one, without charge, by addressing a request to the
Vice-President Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Zapata Corporation, 100
Meridian Centre, Suite 350, Rochester, New York 14618, (585) 242-2000.
Stockholders sharing an address who are receiving multiple copies of proxy
materials and annual reports and wish to receive a single copy of such materials
in the future should submit their request by contacting the Company in the same
manner. If you are the beneficial owner, but not the record holder, of the
Company's shares and wish to receive only one copy of the proxy statement and
annual report in the future, you will need to contact your broker, bank or other
nominee to request that only a single copy of each document be mailed to all
stockholders at the shared address in the future.
 
                                 OTHER MATTERS
 
     As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors knows of no
other matter to be presented at the Annual Meeting. If any additional matter
properly comes before the meeting, it is intended that proxies in the enclosed
form will be voted on the matter in accordance with the discretion of the
persons named in the proxy.
 
         STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2005 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
 
     Under applicable securities laws, stockholder proposals must be received by
the Company no later than December 21, 2005 to be considered for inclusion in
the Company's proxy statement relating to the 2006 Annual Stockholders Meeting.
If the Company changes the date of the 2006 Annual Meeting by more than 30 days
from the date of the 2005 Annual Meeting, then stockholder proposals must be
received by the Company a reasonable time before the Company begins to print and
mail its proxy statement for the 2006 Annual Meeting. A stockholder proposal
submitted outside the process of SEC Rule 14a-8 is considered untimely if it is
not received by March 6, 2006.
 
                                          By Order of the Board of Directors,
 
                                          /s/ Avram A. Glazer
 
                                          Avram A. Glazer,
                                          Chairman of the Board,
                                          President and Chief Executive Officer
 
Rochester, New York
April 18, 2005
 
                                        19

 
                           PROXY/VOTING INSTRUCTIONS
 
                               ZAPATA CORPORATION
            100 MERIDIAN CENTRE SUITE 350 ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14618
 
          THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
The undersigned hereby appoints Avram Glazer and Leonard DiSalvo, and each, as
attorney and agent with full power of substitution, to vote as proxy all the
shares of Common Stock of Zapata Corporation the undersigned would be entitled
to vote if personally present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Zapata
Corporation to be held on June 1, 2005 and at any adjournment(s) thereof, in the
manner indicated on the reverse hereof and in their discretion on such other
matters as may properly come before said meeting or any adjournments thereof.
 
To vote by telephone, please follow the instructions on the reverse of this
card. To vote by mail, please sign and date the card on the reverse side and
return promptly by mail in the enclosed, postage pre-paid envelope.
 
If you wish to vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of
Directors, you may just sign and date below and mail in the postage paid
envelope provided. Specific choices may be made on the reverse side.
 

                                                                 
                                    Dated                                 , 2005
                                            ---------------------------
 
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Signature
 
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    Signature if held jointly

                                    When signing as Executor, Administrator,
                                    Trustee or the like, please give full title.


 
THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, OR IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED, WILL BE
VOTED FOR PROPOSAL 1 AND 2. ANY PROXY WHICH IS EXECUTED IN SUCH A MANNER AS NOT
TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF ANY DIRECTOR NOMINEE, SHALL BE
DEEMED TO GRANT SUCH AUTHORITY. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
PROPOSALS 1 AND 2.
 
[X] Please mark your vote as in this example.
 
(1)  Election of Directors (except as specified below)
 

                                                                                           
[ ]         FOR ALL nominees listed            [ ]         WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO              [ ]         EXCEPTIONS
            below                                          VOTE FOR all nominees
                                                           listed below

 
Darcie S. Glazer
Bryan G. Glazer
 
Instructions: To withhold vote for any individual nominee, mark the "Exceptions"
       box and write that nominee's name(s) in the space provided below.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
(2) Proposal to ratify selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent
    public accountants
 
                  [ ] FOR       [ ] AGAINST       [ ] ABSTAIN
 
                        (Sign and date on reverse side)
 
THE ZAPATA CORPORATION -- ANNUAL MEETING -- June 1, 2005
 
ZAPATA CORPORATION NOW OFFERS PHONE VOTING 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK
 
ON A TOUCH-TONE PHONE, CALL TOLL-FREE 1-800-PROXIES (OR 1-800-776-9437). YOU
WILL HEAR THESE INSTRUCTIONS:
 
  - ENTER THE CONTROL NUMBER FROM THE BOX ABOVE, JUST BELOW THE PERFORATION.
 
  - YOU WILL THEN HAVE TWO OPTIONS:
 
  OPTION 1: TO VOTE AS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS ON ALL PROPOSALS; OR
 
  OPTION 2: TO VOTE ON EACH PROPOSAL SEPARATELY.
 
  - YOUR VOTE WILL BE REPEATED TO YOU AND YOU WILL BE ASKED TO CONFIRM IT.
 
IF YOU HAVE VOTED BY PHONE, PLEASE DO NOT RETURN THE PROXY CARD.
 
THANK YOU FOR VOTING