I'll echo one of the other responses. If you have LDT, you should look into using the Map functionality to import your arcinfo data.
Map can import geometry with attributtes and then alter that geometry on the basis of the attribute values. An example of this is that you can import an ESRI shape file containing contours with the elevations tagged as attribute fields.
You can then use the Query Engine in Map to set the contour geometry z-value to the value in the elevation attribute.
Once done, you can compile those contours into an existing ground surface.
The same analogy can be applied of points.
If you don't have map, then getting a free one-time conversion of your files from the discussion groups is dubious judgement.
Everything from symbology to geometric accuracy can be affected by conversion processes and while someone might be willing to run an arcinfo coverage through Map for you (at risk to their employment with the software owner), you'll be hard-pressed to find anyone willing to take responsibility for the results.
If this is an academic project, I suggest you talk to the civil engineering department at a University.
If this is a commercial project; hire someone who owns a commercial seat of the software to do the conversion.
Having done a few of these myself, I can relate from experience that you'll pay for quality work or you'll pay for its absence.
John