CBI INDUSTRIES INC /DE/
424B2, 1995-03-31
INDUSTRIAL INORGANIC CHEMICALS
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                                           RULE 424(B)(2)
                                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                            NO. 33-52735


PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated March 25, 1994)



500,000 Shares

CBI INDUSTRIES, INC.

7.48% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series D
(Liquidation Preference $100 per Share)



         Dividends on the  7.48% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series D,
$1.00 par value per share (the " 7.48% Preferred Stock"), are
cumulative from the date of original issue and are payable
quarterly, commencing June 15, 1995.  See "Certain Terms of the  
% Preferred Stock--Dividends."  On April 1, 2000, to the extent
funds are legally available therefor, CBI Industries, Inc. (the
"Company" or "CBI") is required to redeem for cash all of the
outstanding shares of the  7.48% Preferred Stock at a redemption
price of $100 per share, plus an amount equal to accrued and
unpaid dividends.  The  7.48% Preferred Stock will not be redeemable
prior to that date.  The  7.48% Preferred Stock will not be entitled
to the benefits of any sinking fund.  See "Certain Terms of the  
% Preferred Stock--Redemption."



THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED 
BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR THE PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRE-
SENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                             Price to  Underwriting   Proceeds to
                             Public(1) Discount(2)    Company(1)(3)



Per Share                    $100.00        $ .875             $99.125
Total                   $50,000,000    $437,500              $49,562,500        

(1)Plus accrued dividends, if any, from the date of original
issue.

(2)The Company has agreed to indemnify the several Underwriters
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
Securities Act of 1933.  See "Underwriting."

(3)Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated at
$70,000.


         The   7.48% Preferred Stock offered hereby is offered by the
Underwriters, as specified herein, subject to prior sale, when,
as and if delivered to, and accepted by, the Underwriters named
herein and subject to the approval of certain legal matters by
counsel to the Underwriters, and certain other conditions.  The
Underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify any
order and to reject any order in whole or in part.  It is
expected that delivery of the  7.48% Preferred Stock will be made on
or about March 31, 1995 through the facilities of The Depository
Trust Company, against payment therefor in immediately available
funds.



Lehman Brothers                   Merrill Lynch & Co.

March 29, 1995

         IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-
ALLOT OR EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE
MARKET PRICE OF THE  7.48% PREFERRED STOCK OFFERED HEREBY AT A LEVEL
ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. 
SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED IN THE OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET
OR OTHERWISE.  SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE
DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.




THE COMPANY

         The Company operates through three major business segments.
CBI's Industrial Gases segment, which is organized under Liquid
Carbonic Industries Corporation, produces, processes and markets,
on a worldwide basis, carbon dioxide and a wide variety of other
industrial and specialty gases and chemicals.    CBI's
Contracting Services segment is organized under Chicago Bridge &
Iron Company as a worldwide construction group that provides,
through separate subsidiaries, a broad range of services
including design, engineering, fabrication and construction of
metal plate structures, project management, general contracting,
and other specialty construction and related services. CBI's
Investments segment includes hydrocarbon products and special
products terminal businesses and certain real estate and
financial investments.

         The Company is incorporated in Delaware.  Its principal
executive offices are located at 800 Jorie Boulevard, Oak Brook,
Illinois and its telephone number is (708) 572-7000.

USE OF PROCEEDS

         The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the  7.48%
Preferred Stock offered hereby will be used to reduce outstanding
commercial paper borrowings and indebtedness under the Company's
three-year extendible revolving credit facility which was used
primarily to fund its capital investment program.  At March 18,
1995, (i) the Company's outstanding commercial paper totalled
$133 million, had maturities no longer than 98 days from the date
of issue and bore interest at rates ranging from approximately
6.2% to 6.4% per annum, and (ii) the Company's indebtedness under
its three-year extendible revolving credit facility totalled $123
million, had maturities no longer than 135 days from the date of
issue and bore interest at rates ranging from approximately 6.3%
to 6.6% per annum.  

SELECTED RATIOS

         For purposes of calculating the ratio of earnings to fixed
charges and preferred stock dividends, earnings consist of
earnings before income taxes and fixed charges to the extent that
such charges are included in the determination of earnings. 
Fixed charges consist of interest, including interest on ESOP
debt (whether expensed or capitalized), and one-third of minimum
rental payments under operating leases (estimated by management
to be the interest factor of such rentals).

                                       Years Ended December 31,      

                                       1994 1993 1992 1991 1990

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed        2.66  (1) 3.68 3.43 3.05
Charges and Preferred Stock 
Dividends

(1)      Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges and
         preferred stock dividends by $13,770,000 for the year ended
         December 31, 1993.  During that year, the Company recorded a
         pre-tax special charge of $91.6 million. 


CERTAIN TERMS OF THE  7.48% PREFERRED STOCK

         The following description of certain terms of the  7.48%
Preferred Stock supplements the description of the general terms
and provisions of the authorized shares of preferred stock, par
value $1.00 per share (the "Preferred Stock") of the Company set
forth under the heading "Description of Capital Stock - Preferred
Stock" in the accompanying Prospectus, to which reference is made
hereby.  The description of certain provisions of the  7.48%
Preferred Stock set forth below does not purport to be complete
and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to
the Certificate of Designations relating to the   7.48% Preferred
Stock, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission prior to the issuance of the   7.48% Preferred Stock.

General

         The   7.48% Preferred Stock will rank on a parity as to payment
of dividends and distributions of assets with the Company's
Convertible Voting Preferred Stock, Series C (the "Series C
Preferred Stock").  The  7.48% Preferred Stock will rank senior to
the Company's Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (the
"Series A Preferred Stock") and the Company's Common Stock with
respect to payment of dividends and distributions of assets (see
"Description of Capital Stock" in the accompanying Prospectus).

Dividends

         Dividends on the stated value per share of the  7.48% Preferred
Stock will be payable at an annual rate of  7.48%, will be
cumulative from the date of original issue, and will be payable
quarterly on the fifteenth day of March, June, September and
December in each year (commencing June 15, 1995) to holders of
record on the record date, which date shall be not more than 45
days nor less than 10 days preceding the date of the dividend
payment when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of
CBI, out of funds of the Company legally available therefor. The
Company is a party to certain agreements that subject the payment
of dividends to the satisfaction of certain financial tests.  The
Company is in compliance with these financial tests and expects
that it will remain so.  Quarterly dividend periods will commence
on the sixteenth day of December, March, June and September.  The
amount of dividends payable for the initial dividend period or
any period shorter than a full dividend period shall be computed
on the basis of 30-day months, a 360-day year and the actual
number of days elapsed in the period.  The stated value per share
of the  7.48% Preferred Stock is $100.

         No dividend will be declared or paid on the shares of any
series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the 7.48%
Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends unless all accumulated
dividends on all outstanding shares of any series of Preferred
Stock ranking on a parity with the  7.48% Preferred Stock as to
payment of dividends have been paid or declared and set apart for
payment or contemporaneously are paid or declared and set apart
for payment to the last date to which such dividends are payable. 
Whenever all accumulated dividends are not paid in full on any
series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with the  7.48%
Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends, all dividends
declared or other distributions made upon shares of any series of
Preferred Stock ranking on a parity with 7.48% Preferred Stock as
to payment of dividends shall be declared or made pro rata so
that the amount of dividends declared or other distributions made
per share shall in all cases bear to each other the same ratio
that accumulated and unpaid dividends per share on each such
series of Preferred Stock bear to each other.  The holders of the 
7.48% Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive cumulative
dividends before any dividends are declared or paid or set apart
for payment upon the Company's Series A Preferred Stock or Common
Stock or any other class of stock of the Company ranking junior
to the 7.48% Preferred Stock as to payment of dividends.  The
Company may not purchase shares of its Common Stock or of any
other series of Preferred Stock if dividends on the 7.48% Preferred
Stock are in arrears.  


Rights Upon Liquidation

         In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company, the holders of the 7.48%
Preferred Stock outstanding at the time on a parity with the
holders of the Series C Preferred Stock outstanding at the time
will be entitled to receive to the extent assets of the Company
are available for distribution to stockholders, before any
distribution of assets is made to holders of the Series A
Preferred Stock or the Common Stock or any other class of capital
stock ranking junior to the  7.48% Preferred Stock upon liquidation,
liquidating distributions in the amount of $100 per share plus an
amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends for the then-current
dividend period and all dividend periods prior thereto.

Redemption

         On April 1, 2000, to the extent funds are legally available
therefor, CBI is required to redeem for cash all of the  7.48%
Preferred Stock at a redemption price of $100 per share, plus an
amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends thereon to the date
of mandatory redemption.  The  7.48% Preferred Stock will not be
redeemable prior to that date.  The Company is a party to certain
agreements that subject the redemption of the  7.48% Preferred
Stock to the satisfaction of certain financial tests.  The
Company is in compliance with these financial tests and expects
that it will remain so.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, CBI may
repurchase the  7.48% Preferred Stock in open market or private
transactions.  The  7.48% Preferred Stock will not be entitled to
the benefits of any sinking fund.

Voting Rights

         The   7.48% Preferred Stock will have no voting rights except as
set forth below or as otherwise provided by law.  In the event
that any six cumulative quarterly dividends, whether consecutive
or not, payable upon the  7.48% Preferred Stock or cumulative
dividends for the equivalent period on any one or more other
series of Preferred Stock of the Company entitled to receive
cumulative preferred dividends shall be in arrears, the holders
of the  7.48% Preferred Stock shall have the right, voting
separately as a class with holders of shares of the Series A
Preferred Stock, the Series C Preferred Stock and any one or more
other series of Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights
have been conferred and are exercisable, at the next meeting of
stockholders called for the election of directors, to elect two
members of the Company's Board of Directors.  The right of such
holders of such shares of the  7.48% Preferred Stock to elect
(together with the holders of shares of any one or more other
series of Preferred Stock upon which like voting rights have been
conferred and are exercisable) members of the Board of Directors
of the Company as aforesaid shall continue until such time as all
dividends accumulated on such shares of the  7.48% Preferred Stock
and on such other series shall have been paid in full, at which
time such right shall terminate, except as by law expressly
provided, subject to revesting in the event of each and every
subsequent failure to pay dividends of the character above
mentioned.  Upon any termination of the right of the holders of
shares of Preferred Stock, including the 7.48% Preferred Stock, to
vote as a class for directors as herein provided, the term of
office of all directors then in office elected by such holders
voting as a class shall terminate immediately.

         The Certificate of Designations may be amended, altered or
repealed by the unilateral action of the Board of Directors of
the Company without the consent or vote of the holders of the    
7.48% Preferred Stock.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the
Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (including the
Certificate of Designations) shall not be amended, altered or
repealed in any manner which would adversely alter or change the
powers, preferences or special rights of the  7.48% Preferred Stock
without the affirmative vote or consent of the holders of two-
thirds or more of the outstanding shares of the  7.48% Preferred
Stock, voting separately as a series; provided, that any increase
in the authorized Preferred Stock or the creation and issuance of
any other class or series of Preferred Stock ranking on a parity
with or junior to the  7.48% Preferred Stock as to payment of
dividends and upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or any
decrease in the number of shares which constitute the  7.48%
Preferred Stock (but not below the number of shares thereof then
outstanding), shall be deemed not to adversely alter or change
such powers, preferences or special rights.

         On any item in which the holders of  7.48% Preferred Stock are
entitled to vote, such holders shall be entitled to one vote for
each share of  7.48% Preferred Stock held.

Conversion Rights

         The holders of the  7.48% Preferred Stock will not have any
rights to convert shares of the  7.48% Preferred Stock into shares
of any other class or series of capital stock (or any other
security) of the Company.

Book-Entry System

         The   7.48% Preferred Stock will be issued in the form of one or
more fully registered Global Preferred Stock Certificates
("Global Certificate") which will be deposited with, or on behalf
of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York (the
"Depository") and registered in the name of the Depository's
nominee.  

         The Depository has advised as follows:  It is a limited-
purpose trust company which was created to hold securities for
its participating organizations (the "Participants") and to
facilitate the clearance and settlement of securities
transactions between Participants in such securities through
electronic book-entry changes in the accounts of its
Participants.  Participants include securities brokers and
dealers (including the Underwriters), banks and trust companies,
clearing corporations and certain other organizations.  Access to
the Depository's system is also available to others such as
banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or
maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either
directly or indirectly ("indirect participants").  Persons who
are not Participants may beneficially own securities held by the
Depository only through Participants or indirect participants.  

         Dividend payments on, and payments made upon mandatory
redemption of, the  7.48% Preferred Stock registered in the name of
the Depository's nominee will be made to the Depository's nominee
as the registered owner of the Global Certificate.  The
Depository has advised the Company that its present practice is,
upon receipt of any dividend payment or payment made upon
mandatory redemption, to immediately credit the accounts of the
Participants with such payment in amounts proportionate to their
respective holdings in the Global Certificate as shown on the
records of the Depository.  

Same-Day Settlement and Payment

         Settlement for the  7.48% Preferred Stock will be made by the
Underwriters in immediately available funds.  All payments of
dividends, redemption value and liquidation value will be made by
the Company in immediately available funds.  

         The   7.48% Preferred Stock will trade in the Depository's Same-
Day Funds Settlement System until the mandatory redemption date,
and secondary market trading in the  7.48% Preferred Stock will,
therefore, be required by the Depository to settle in immediately
available funds.  No assurance can be given as to the effect, if
any, of settlement in immediately available funds on trading
activity in the 7.48% Preferred Stock.  

TAX CONSIDERATIONS

         The following is a summary of the expected material United
States federal income tax consequences to holders of the 7.48%
Preferred Stock (each a "Holder").  The following discussion does
not (i) consider the tax consequences of the  7.48% Preferred Stock
offering under state, local and foreign law or (ii) purport to
address all aspects of federal income taxation that may affect
certain taxpayers, such as financial institutions, broker-
dealers, life insurance companies, foreign taxpayers, and other
special status taxpayers.  The statements of law and legal
conclusions contained in this summary are based upon the opinion
of Mayer, Brown & Platt, special tax counsel to the Company
("Counsel").  Such opinion is based upon the provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), its
legislative history, existing and proposed regulations
thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, all as in
effect and existing on the date hereof and all of which are
subject to change at any time, possibly on a retroactive basis. 
The conclusions of Counsel are not binding on the Internal
Revenue Service (the "Service") or the courts.  Furthermore, the
Company has not requested and will not receive rulings from the
Service with respect to any of the matters summarized in this
discussion.  Therefore, there is no assurance that the Service or
a court would agree with the conclusions reached by Counsel. 
EACH PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER IS ADVISED TO CONSULT A TAX ADVISOR AS
TO THE FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, FOREIGN, OR OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES
OF ACQUIRING, HOLDING AND DISPOSING OF THE  7.48% PREFERRED STOCK.

         In the opinion of Counsel, the  7.48% Preferred Stock will
constitute capital stock of the Company and distributions with
respect to the  7.48% Preferred Stock will be taxable as dividends
to the extent of the Company's current or accumulated earnings
and profits for federal income tax purposes.

         Dividends paid on the  7.48% Preferred Stock may qualify for
the 70% dividends received deduction (80% for corporate
shareholders which own 20% or more of the voting power and value
of the stock of the Company) generally allowable to corporations,
subject to any limitations imposed by Sections 243 through 246A
and 1059 of the Code.  Further, a corporate Holder should be
aware that dividend income which is not subject to regular tax as
a consequence of the dividends received deduction may be subject
to the alternative minimum tax.

         Section 246A of the Code provides, in general, that if a
corporation incurs indebtedness "directly attributable" to a
portfolio stock investment in another company (which is likely to
include the  7.48% Preferred Stock), the dividends received
deduction on such stock will be proportionately reduced.  In
addition, under Section 246(c) of the Code, the dividends
received deduction will not be available with respect to stock
which is held for 45 days or less (90 days in the case of a
dividend attributable to a period or periods aggregating more
than 366 days).  The length of time that a taxpayer is deemed to
have held stock for these purposes is reduced for the period
during which the taxpayer's risk of loss with respect to the
stock is diminished by reason of certain options, contracts to
sell, the holding of one or more positions with respect to
substantially similar or related property, or other similar
transactions.  Moreover, Section 1059 of the Code would require a
corporate stockholder to reduce its basis in the  7.48% Preferred
Stock if an "extraordinary dividend" is received and the
corporate stockholder has not held the stock for more than two
years before the dividend announcement date.  An "extraordinary
dividend" on the   7.48% Preferred Stock would be a dividend that (i)
equals or exceeds 5% of the holder's basis in the stock, treating
all dividends having ex-dividend dates within an 85-day period as
one dividend, or (ii) exceeds 20% of the holder's basis in the
stock, treating all dividends having ex-dividend dates within a
365-day period as one dividend.  The length of time that a
taxpayer is deemed to have held the stock for purposes of Section
1059 of the Code is determined under principles similar to those
contained in Section 246(c) of the Code as discussed above.

         Distributions with respect to the  7.48% Preferred Stock in
excess of both current and accumulated earnings and profits will
be (i) treated as a return of capital to the extent of the cash
or fair market value of property received, up to the amount of
the Holder's tax basis in its  7.48% Preferred Stock (and will
correspondingly reduce such basis) and (ii) taxed as an amount
received in exchange for such  7.48% Preferred Stock to the extent
the cash or fair market value of any property received exceeds
the Holder's tax basis in its 7.48% Preferred Stock.  Any reduction
in basis could subject the Holder to the payment of additional
tax on a subsequent sale or other disposition of such 7.48%
Preferred Stock.  Although the Company currently expects its
current and accumulated earnings and profits to be sufficient for
all distributions on the  7.48% Preferred Stock to qualify as
dividends for federal income tax purposes, there can be no
assurance that the Company will have current or accumulated
earnings and profits in any year in which a distribution is made
with respect to the  7.48% Preferred Stock.

         Upon the sale, exchange or redemption of the  7.48% Preferred
Stock (assuming, in the case of a redemption, that all of the  7.48%
Preferred Stock is redeemed and that a Holder does not own any
other stock in the Company, either directly or by application of
certain attribution rules), a Holder who holds the  7.48% Preferred
Stock as a capital asset will realize a capital gain or loss
measured by the difference between the amount realized on the
sale or other disposition and Holder's adjusted tax basis in the  
7.48% Preferred Stock.  Such gain or loss will be long-term capital
gain if the Holder's holding period with respect to the 7.48%
Preferred Stock is more than one year at the time of the sale,
exchange or redemption.  A Holder who, directly or by application
of certain attribution rules, holds stock in the Company other
than the  7.48% Preferred Stock should consult its tax advisor as
to the federal income tax treatment of a redemption of the 7.48%
Preferred Stock, including the possible treatment of the entire
proceeds of such redemption as a dividend to such Holder.

                              UNDERWRITING

         Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the
Underwriting Agreement, the Company has agreed to sell to each of
the Underwriters named below, and each of the Underwriters has
severally agreed to purchase, the number of shares of 7.48%
Preferred Stock set forth opposite its name below.



                                                    Number of 
                                                    Shares of
Underwriter                                 7.48% Preferred Stock

Lehman Brothers Inc.                              325,000

Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner 
& Smith Incorporated                         175,000

                             Total                    500,000

         The Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of
the Underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent. 
The Underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the shares
of  7.48% Preferred Stock if any of the shares of   7.48% Preferred
Stock are purchased.

         The Company has been advised that the Underwriters propose
to offer the  7.48% Preferred Stock initially at the offering price
set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus Supplement and to
certain dealers at such price less a selling concession of $.50    
per share of  7.48% Preferred Stock that the Underwriters may allow,
and such dealers may reallow to other dealers a concession not
exceeding $.25   per share of  7.48% Preferred Stock; and that
after the initial public offering, such public offering price and
such concession and reallowance may from time to time be varied
by the Underwriters.

         The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities
Act of 1933.

                          VALIDITY OF SECURITIES

         The validity of the  7.48% Preferred Stock will be passed upon
for the Company by Charles O. Ziemer, Senior Vice President and
General Counsel of CBI, and by Mayer, Brown & Platt, counsel for
the Underwriters.  As of the date of this Prospectus Supplement,
Mr. Ziemer is a full-time employee and an officer of CBI and owns
and holds options to purchase shares of Common Stock of the
Company.  Mayer, Brown & Platt is currently representing the
Company in certain legal matters., and, in addition, is also
serving as special tax counsel to CBI in connection with the
offering and sale of the  7.48% Preferred Stock.


PAGE>PROSPECTUS



$300,000,000



CBI INDUSTRIES, INC.
Debt Securities, Preferred Stock and Common Stock

CBI Industries, Inc. (the "Company" or "CBI") may from time to time
offer Debt  Securities consisting of debentures, notes and/or other
unsecured evidences of  indebtedness in one or more series; 
preferred stock, par value $1.00 per  share, in one or more series
(the "Preferred Stock"); and shares of its common  stock, par value
$2.50 per share (the "Common Stock") (collectively, the 
"Securities"), at an aggregate offering price not to exceed
$300,000,000 at  prices and on terms to be determined at the time
of sale. The Debt Securities,  Preferred Stock and Common Stock may
be offered independently or together in  any combination for sale
directly to purchasers or to or through dealers,  underwriters or
agents to be designated by the Company.

Certain specific terms of the particular Securities in respect of
which this  Prospectus is being delivered are set forth in the
accompanying prospectus  supplement (the "Prospectus Supplement"),
including, where applicable, the  initial public offering price of
the Securities, the listing on any securities  exchange, other
special terms, and (i) in the case of Debt Securities, the 
specific designation, aggregate principal amount, original issue
discount, if  any, authorized denominations, maturity, premium, if
any, rate (which may be  fixed or variable), time and method of
calculating payment of interest, if any,  the place or places where
principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any,  on such Debt
Securities will be payable, the currency in which principal of, 
premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Debt Securities will
be payable,  any terms of redemption at the option of the Company
or the holder, any sinking  fund provisions and any terms for
conversion or exchange into other securities  of the Company and
(ii) in the case of Preferred Stock, the specific title and  stated
value, any dividend, liquidation, redemption, voting and other
rights  and any terms for conversion or exchange into other
securities of the Company.   If so specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, Securities may be  issued in whole or in
part in the form of one or more temporary or permanent  global
securities.
                                                         
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
SECURITIES AND  EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY
STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE  ACCURACY OR
ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                                                        

The Company may sell the Securities to or through underwriters or
dealers, and  may also sell Securities directly to other purchasers
or through agents.  See  "Plan of Distribution."  The Prospectus
Supplement sets forth the names of any  underwriters, dealers or
agents involved in the sale of the Securities in  respect of which
this Prospectus is being delivered and any applicable fee, 
commission or discount arrangements with them.

This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of Securities
unless  accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.


                 The date of this Prospectus is March 25, 1994
</PAGE>
<PAGE>                       AVAILABLE INFORMATION

      CBI Industries, Inc., (the "Company") is subject to the
informational  requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(the "Exchange Act") and,  in accordance therewith, files reports,
proxy statements and other information  with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission").  Reports, proxy  statements
and other information filed by the Company may be inspected and 
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the
Commission at 450  Fifth Street, N.W., Judiciary Plaza, Washington,
D.C. 20549; and at its  regional offices located at 500 West
Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661  and 7 World Trade Center,
Thirteenth Floor, New York, New York 10048.  Such  reports, proxy
materials and other information concerning the Company may also  be
inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., 20
Broad  Street, New York, New York 10005.  Copies of such materials
may be obtained  from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,  Washington, D.C. 20549. 
This Prospectus does not contain all the information  set forth in
the Registration Statement and exhibits thereto which the Company 
has filed with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 (the
"Securities  Act") and to which reference is hereby made. 
Statements contained in this  Prospectus as to the contents of any
contract or other document referred to are  not necessarily
complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of 
such document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or
otherwise  filed with the Commission.  Each such statement is
qualified in all respects by  such reference.  Although the Company
may not be required to send a copy of its  latest Annual Report to
Shareholders to holders of Debt Securities, the Company  will, upon
request, send to any holder of Securities a copy of its latest 
Annual Report to Shareholders, as filed with the Commission, which
contains  financial information that has been examined and reported
upon, with an opinion  expressed by independent certified public
accountants.

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

      The following documents filed by the Company with the
Commission (File  No. 1-7833) are incorporated in this Prospectus
by reference: (i) Annual Report  on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1993, together with the  reports of independent
public accountants which includes an explanatory  paragraph that
describes changes in accounting principles with respect to the 
methods of accounting for income taxes and for postretirement
benefits other  than pensions, (ii) the description of the Common
Stock as set forth in Item 1  of the Company's Registration
Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission  on April 20, 1979,
and (iii) the description of preferred stock purchase rights  as
set forth in Item 1 of the Company's Amendment No. 1 to
Registration  Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on
August 8, 1989.

      All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14  or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of
this Prospectus and prior to the  termination of the offering of
the Securities shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein and to be a part hereof from the date of  filing such
documents. Any statement contained herein or in a document 
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall
be deemed  to be modified or superseded for purposes of this
Prospectus to the extent that  a statement contained herein, in a
Prospectus Supplement or in any other  subsequently filed document
which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by  reference herein,
modifies or supersedes such statement.  Any such statement so 
modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or  superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
</PAGE>
<PAGE>
      The Company will provide without charge and upon request to
each person  to whom this Prospectus has been delivered a copy of
any or all of the  documents incorporated herein by reference
(other than exhibits to such  documents unless such exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference  herein).  Requests for such
copies should be directed to the Secretary, C.C.  Toerber, CBI
Industries, Inc., 800 Jorie Boulevard, Oak Brook, Illinois 
60521-2268 (telephone (708) 572-7000).  References in this
Prospectus to the  "Company" or "CBI" include CBI Industries, Inc.
and its consolidated  subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise
indicates.

                                  THE COMPANY

      The Company operates through three major business segments. 
CBI's  Contracting Services segment is organized under Chicago
Bridge & Iron Company  as a worldwide construction group that
provides, through separate subsidiaries,  a broad range of services
including design, engineering, fabrication and  construction of
metal plate structures, project management, general contracting,
and other specialty construction and related services.  CBI's 
Industrial Gases segment, which is organized under Liquid Carbonic
Industries  Corporation, produces, processes and markets, on a
worldwide basis, carbon  dioxide and a wide variety of other
industrial and specialty gases and  chemicals.  CBI's Investments
segment includes petroleum and special product  terminal businesses
and certain real estate and financial investments.

      The Company is incorporated in Delaware and its principal
executive  offices are located at 800 Jorie Boulevard, Oak Brook,
Illinois.

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

      Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying Prospectus
Supplement, the  net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the
Securities offered hereby will  be available for general corporate
purposes and may be used for capital  expenditures, working
capital, repayment of short and long term indebtedness,  and future
acquisitions.  Pending such use, the net proceeds may  be  
temporarily invested.

                                SELECTED RATIOS

      For the purposes of calculating the ratio of earnings to
fixed charges  and the ratio of earnings to fixed charges and
preferred stock dividends,  earnings consist of earnings before
income taxes and fixed charges to the  extent that such charges are
included in the determination of earnings.  Fixed  charges consist
of interest, including interest on ESOP debt (whether expensed  or
capitalized), and one-third of minimum rental payments under
operating  leases (estimated by management to be the interest
factor of such rentals).  

                                   Years Ended December 31,    
                                   1993 1992  1991  1990  1989

Ratio of Earnings to
Fixed Charges                      (1)  3.68  3.43  3.05  2.18

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges and Preferred
Stock Dividends                    (2)  3.68  3.43  3.05  2.18
</PAGE>
<PAGE>

(1)   Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges by
$13,770,000 for the year ended December 31, 1993.  

(2)   Earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges and preferred
stock dividends by $13,770,000 for the year ended December 31,
1993.  

                        DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

      The following description sets forth certain general terms
and provisions  of the Debt Securities to which any Prospectus
Supplement may relate.  The  particular terms and provisions of any
series of Debt Securities offered by any  Prospectus Supplement,
and the extent to which such general terms and  provisions
described below may apply thereto, will be described in the 
Prospectus Supplement relating to such series of Debt Securities.

      Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series under an
indenture  (the "Indenture") dated as of March 1, 1994 between the
Company and Chemical  Bank, as trustee (the "Trustee").  The
statements under this heading do not  purport to be complete and
are subject to the detailed provisions of the  Indenture, a copy of
which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement  of
which this Prospectus is a part.  Wherever particular provisions of
the  Indenture or terms defined therein are referred to, such
provisions or  definitions are incorporated by reference as a part
of the statements made and  the statements are qualified in their
entirety by such reference.  A copy of  the Indenture is filed as
an exhibit to this registration statement.

General

      The Indenture does not limit the aggregate principal amount
of Debt  Securities which may be issued thereunder and provides
that Debt Securities of  any series may be issued thereunder up to
an aggregate principal amount which  may be authorized by the
Company from time to time.  (Section 301)  Any  securities issued
under the Indenture are referred to herein as the "Debt 
Securities."  The Indenture does not limit the amount of other
debt, secured or  unsecured, which may be issued by the Company or
its subsidiaries, subject to  limitations on liens described below. 
All Debt Securities will be unsecured  and rank pari passu with all
other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of  the Company
provided that such other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness 
may  contain covenants, events of default and other provisions
which are  different from or which are not contained in the Debt
Securities. However,  because the Company is a holding company
which conducts substantially all of  its operations through
subsidiaries, the right of the Company, and hence the  right of
creditors of the Company (including the Holders of Debt
Securities),  to participate in any distribution of the assets of
any subsidiary upon its  liquidation or reorganization or otherwise
is necessarily subject to the prior  claims of creditors of the
subsidiary, except to the extent that claims of the  Company itself
as a creditor of the subsidiary may be recognized.  There are no 
covenants or provisions contained in the Indenture that may afford
the Holders  of Debt Securities protection in the event of a highly
leveraged transaction  involving the Company.  Unless otherwise
provided in the applicable Prospectus  Supplement, the Company will
maintain in New York, New York, one or more  offices or agencies
where the Debt Securities may be presented for payment and  for
transfer or exchange (which initially will be the Trustee's offices 
maintained for that purpose in New York, New York), provided that
interest may  at the option of the Company be paid by check mailed
to the person entitled  thereto.  (Sections 301 and 1102)
</PAGE>
<PAGE>

      The Debt Securities will be issued in fully registered form,
without  coupons unless otherwise specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement.   The Debt Securities will be exchangeable
for other Debt Securities of the same  series of a like aggregate
principal amount in authorized denominations and  will be
transferable at any time or from time to time at the Corporate
Trust  Office of the Trustee or at any other office or agency of
the Company  maintained for that purpose.  No service charge will
be made for any transfer  or exchange of the Debt Securities or
other Securities issued under the  Indenture, but the Company may
(unless otherwise provided in such Debt  Securities) require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other  governmental
charge payable in connection therewith.  (Section 305)  

      Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement which
accompanies this  Prospectus for the following terms and other
information with respect to any  Debt Securities in respect of
which this Prospectus is being delivered:  (1)  the designation,
aggregate principal amount and authorized denominations of  such
Debt Securities; (2) the purchase price of such Debt Securities;
(3) the  date or dates on which such Debt Securities will mature or
the method of  determining such date or dates; (4) the rate or
rates (which may be fixed or  variable) at which such Debt
Securities will bear interest, if any, or the  method of
calculating such rate or rates, and the date, dates, or the method
of  determining such date or dates, from which such interest, if
any, will accrue;  (5) the date or dates on which any such interest
will be payable and the record  date or dates therefor; (6) whether
such Debt Securities may be issued in  temporary or permanent
global form, and, if so, the initial Depositary with  respect
thereto; (7) the terms of any mandatory or optional redemption 
(including any sinking fund) and any remarketing arrangements
related thereto;  (8) the place or places where the principal (and
premium, if any) and interest  will be payable; (9) whether such
Debt Securities will be convertible into or  exchangeable for
Common Stock or other securities of the Company, and the terms  and
conditions of any such conversions or exchanges; (10) the
applicability of  any provisions described under "Limitations of
Liens" or "Limitations on Sale  and Leaseback Transactions"; (11)
the applicability of any provision described  under "Defeasance and
Covenant Defeasance"; (12) the securities exchange, if  any, on
which the Debt Securities will be listed; (13) the currency,
currencies  or composite currencies for which such Debt Securities
may be purchased and/or  in which principal and interest and
premium, if any, will or may be payable;  and (14) any other
specified term of such Debt Securities.

      One or more series of Debt Securities may be sold as Original
Issue  Discount Securities at a substantial discount below their
stated principal  amount, bearing no interest or interest at a rate
which at the time of issuance  is below market rates.  Federal
income tax consequences and special considerations applicable to
any such series will be described in the  Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto.

      The Indenture provides that the Debt Securities of a single
series may be  issued at various times, with different maturity
dates and may bear interest at  different times.  (Section 301)

      If the purchase price of any Debt Securities is payable in
one or more  foreign currencies or currency units or if any Debt
Securities are denominated  in one or more foreign currencies or
currency units or if the principal of,  premium, if any, or
interest, if any, on any Debt Securities is payable in one  or more
foreign currencies or currency units, the restrictions, elections, 
certain Federal income tax considerations, specific terms and other
information  with respect to such issue of Debt Securities and such
foreign currency or  currency units will be set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. </PAGE>
<PAGE>
Certain Definitions

      The term "Secured Debt" means indebtedness for money borrowed
and any  Funded Debt which is secured by a mortgage, pledge, lien,
security interest or  encumbrance on (a) any Principal Property of
the Company or a Restricted  Subsidiary or on (b) any shares of
capital stock or indebtedness of any  Restricted Subsidiary. 
(Section 101)

      The term "Funded Debt" means all indebtedness for money
borrowed having a  maturity of more than twelve months from the
date of the most recent  consolidated balance sheet of the Company
and its Restricted Subsidiaries  (excluding indebtedness of
Unrestricted Subsidiaries) or renewable and  extendible beyond
twelve months at the option of the borrower and all  obligations in
respect of lease rentals which under generally accepted  accounting
principles would be shown on a consolidated balance sheet of the 
Company as a liability item other than a current liability;
provided, however,  that Funded Debt shall not include any of the
foregoing to the extent that such  indebtedness or obligations are
not required by generally accepted accounting  principles to be
shown on the balance sheet of the Company.  (Section 101)

      The term "Voting Stock" means outstanding shares of capital
stock having  under ordinary circumstances (not dependent on the
happening of a contingency)  voting power for the election of
directors.  (Section 101)

      The term "Subsidiary" means any corporation a majority of the
Voting  Stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Company or by one or  more of its other subsidiaries or by the
Company or one or more of its other  Subsidiaries.  (Section 101)

      The term "Restricted Subsidiary" means (a) any Subsidiary
other than an  Unrestricted Subsidiary and (b) any Subsidiary which
was an Unrestricted  Subsidiary but which, subsequent to March
1,1994, is designated by the Company  (by or pursuant to board
resolution) to be a Restricted Subsidiary, provided,  however, that
the Company may not designate any such Subsidiary to be a 
Restricted Subsidiary if the Company would thereby breach any
covenant or  agreement herein contained (on the assumptions that
any outstanding Secured  Debt of such Subsidiary was incurred at
the time of such designation and that  any Sale and Leaseback
Transaction (as defined) to which such Subsidiary is  then a party
was entered into at the time of such designation).  (Section 101)

      The term "Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (a) any Subsidiary
acquired or  organized after March 1, 1994, provided that such
Subsidiary shall not be a  successor, directly or indirectly, to
any Restricted Subsidiary; (b) any  Subsidiary whose principal
business or assets are located outside the United  States of
America, its territories and possessions, Puerto Rico or Canada;
(c)  any Subsidiary the principal business of which consists of
financing or  assisting in financing of customer construction
projects or the acquisition or  disposition of products of dealers,
distributors or other customers; (d) any  Subsidiary engaged in the
insurance business or whose principal business is the  ownership,
leasing, purchasing, selling or development of real property; and 
(e) any Subsidiary substantially all the assets of which consist of
stock or  other securities of a Subsidiary or Subsidiaries referred
to above in this  sentence, unless and until any such Subsidiary is
designated to be a Restricted  Subsidiary, as referred to above. 
(Section 101)

      The term "Principal Property" means any manufacturing plant
or other  facility of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary,
whether presently owned  or hereafter acquired, which, in the
opinion of
</PAGE>
<PAGE>
 the board of directors of the Company, is of material importance
to the  business conducted by the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries as a whole.   (Section 101)

      The term "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means
Consolidated Tangible  Assets less Consolidated Current
Liabilities.  (Section 101)

      The term "Consolidated Tangible Assets" means the aggregate
of all assets  of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries
(including the value of all  existing Sale and Leaseback
Transactions (as defined) and any assets resulting  from the
capitalization of other long-term lease obligations in accordance
with  generally accepted accounting principles, but excluding the
value of assets or  investment in any Unrestricted Subsidiary or
any non-majority owned Subsidiary)  appearing on the most recent
available consolidated balance sheet of the  Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries at their net book values, after  deducting
related depreciation, amortization and other valuation reserves and 
excluding (a) any capital write-ups resulting from reappraisals of
assets or of  other investments after March 1, 1994 (other than a
write-up of any assets  constituting part of the assets and
business of another corporation made in  connection with the
acquisition, direct or indirect, of the assets and business  of
such other corporation), except as permitted in accordance with
generally  accepted accounting principles, (b) treasury stock, (c)
patent and trademark  rights, good will, unamortized discounts and
expenses and any other intangible  items, all in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles.   (Section 101)

      The term "Consolidated Current Liabilities" means the
aggregate of the  current liabilities of the Company and its
Restricted Subsidiaries (excluding  liabilities of Unrestricted
Subsidiaries) appearing on the most recent  available consolidated
balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted  Subsidiaries, all
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.   In
no event shall Consolidated Current Liabilities include any
obligation of  the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries issued
under a revolving credit or  similar agreement if the obligation
issued under such agreement matures by its  terms within 12 months
from the date thereof but by the terms of such agreement  such
obligation may be renewed or extended or the amount thereof
reborrowed or  refunded at the option of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary for a term  in excess of 12 months from the
date of determination.  (Section 101)

Foreign Currency Denominated or Indexed Debt Securities

      Debt Securities denominated or payable in foreign currencies
may entail  significant risks.  These risks include, without
limitation, the possibility of  significant fluctuations in foreign
currency exchange rates.  These risks may  vary depending upon the
currency or currencies involved.  These risks will be  more fully
described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

Limitation on Liens

      The Company will not, and will not permit any Restricted
Subsidiary to,  create, assume or guarantee any Secured Debt
without making effective provision  for securing the Debt
Securities (and any other indebtedness of or guaranteed  by the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary then entitled thereto)
equally and  ratably with such Secured Debt.

      The above restrictions do not apply to debt secured by (i)
certain  purchase money mortgages created to secure payment for the
acquisition or  completion of construction and commencement of
</PAGE>
<PAGE>
 operation of any property including, but not limited to, any
indebtedness  incurred by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary
prior to, at the time of, or  within 365 days after the later of
the acquisition, the completion of  construction (including any
improvements on an existing property) or the  commencement of
commercial operation of such property, which indebtedness is 
incurred for the purpose of financing all or any part of the
purchase price of  such property or construction or improvements on
such property, (ii) mortgages,  pledges, liens, security interests
or encumbrances (collectively referred to  herein as "liens") on
property existing at the time of acquisition thereof,  whether or
not assumed by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, (iii) liens 
on property or shares of capital stock or indebtedness of any
corporation  existing at the time such corporation becomes a
Restricted Subsidiary, (iv)  liens on property or shares of capital
stock or indebtedness of a corporation  existing at the time such
corporation is merged into or consolidated with the  Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary or at the time of a sale, lease, or other 
disposition of the properties of a corporation or firm as an
entirety or  substantially as an entirety to the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary,  provided that no such lien shall extend to
any other Principal Property of the  Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary prior to such acquisition or to other  Principal
Property thereafter acquired other than additions to such acquired 
property or other Principal Property which, together with such
acquired  property, is part of a single construction or development
program, (v) liens on  property of the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary in favor of the United  States of America or any state
thereof, or in favor of any other country, or  any department,
agency, instrumentality or political subdivision thereof, to 
secure certain payments pursuant to any contract or statute
(including, without  limitation, liens to secure indebtedness of
the pollution control or industrial  revenue type) or to secure
indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing  all or any part
of the purchase price for the cost of constructing or improving 
the property subject to such liens, (vi) liens on any property or
assets of any  Restricted Subsidiary to secure indebtedness owing
by it to the Company or to  another Restricted Subsidiary, or (vii)
any extension, renewal or replacement  (or successive extensions,
renewals or replacements), in whole or in part, of  any lien
referred to in the foregoing clauses (i) to (vi) inclusive,
provided  that the principal amount of Secured Debt secured thereby
does not exceed the  principal amount of Secured Debt so secured at
the time of such extension,  renewal or replacement, and that such
extension, renewal or replacement shall  be limited to the property
which secured the lien so extended, renewed or  replaced and
additions or improvements to such property.  This covenant also 
does not apply to production payments or overriding royalty
payments with  respect to the sale or other transfer of crude oil,
natural gas or other  hydrocarbons.  (Section 1104)

Limitation on Sale and Leaseback Transactions

      Sale and Leaseback Transactions (which are defined to
include, among  other things, certain leases of more than three
years) by the Company or any  Restricted Subsidiary of any
Principal Property, completion of construction of  which and
commencement of full operation of which have occurred more than 365 
days prior to such sale or transfer, will be prohibited unless
either (a) the  Company or such Restricted Subsidiary would be
entitled to incur Secured Debt  equal in amount to the amount
realized or to be realized upon such sale or  transfer secured by
a lien on the property to be leased without equally and  ratably
securing the Debt Securities, or (b) an amount equal to the "value"
(as  defined) of the Principal Property so leased is applied
(subject to credits for  certain voluntary retirements of Debt
Securities) to the retirement, within 120  days of the effective
date of such arrangement, of indebtedness for borrowed  money
incurred or assumed by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary which
is  recorded as Funded Debt as shown on the most recent
consolidated balance sheet  of the Company and which in
</PAGE>
<PAGE>
 the case of such indebtedness of the Company, is not subordinate
and junior in  right of payment to the prior payment of the Debt
Securities.  (Sections 101  and 1105)

Exempted Indebtedness

      Notwithstanding the limitations on liens and Sale and
Leaseback  Transactions described above, the Company and any one or
more Restricted  Subsidiaries may, without securing the Debt
Securities, issue, assume or  guarantee Secured Debt which would
otherwise be subject to the foregoing  restrictions, provided that,
after   giving effect thereto, the aggregate  amount of such
Secured Debt then outstanding (not including Secured Debt 
permitted under the foregoing exceptions) and the aggregate value
of Sale and  Leaseback Transactions (other than such transactions
in connection with which  indebtedness has been, or will be,
retired in accordance with clause (b) of the  preceding paragraph)
at such time does not exceed 10% of Consolidated Net  Tangible
Assets.  (Section 1104)

Consolidation or Merger

      The Company, without the consent of the Holders of any of the
Debt  Securities under the Indenture, may consolidate with or merge
into, or transfer  or lease its assets substantially as an entirety
to, any Person which is a  corporation, partnership or trust
organized and validly existing under the laws  of any domestic
jurisdiction, or may permit any such Person to consolidate with  or
merge into the Company or convey, transfer or lease its properties
and  assets substantially as an entirety to the Company, provided
that any successor  Person assumes the Company's obligations on the
Debt Securities and under the  Indenture, that after giving effect
to the transaction (treating any  indebtedness which becomes an
obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary as a  result of such
transaction as having been incurred by the Company or such 
Subsidiary at the time of such transaction) no Event of Default,
and no event  which, after notice or lapse of time, would become an
Event of Default, shall  have occurred and be continuing, and that
certain other conditions are met.   (Sections 901 and 1104)

Events of Default; Notice

      Any one of the following events will constitute an Event of
Default under  the Indenture with respect to Debt Securities of any
series (unless such event  is specifically inapplicable to a
particular series as described in the  Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto):  (i) default for 30 days in the  payment of
interest on any Debt Securities of such series, (ii) default in the 
payment of any principal of or premium, if any, on any Debt
Securities of such  series, (iii) default in the making or
satisfaction of any sinking fund  installment or analogous
obligation, if any is required, on the Debt Securities  of such
series, (iv) default, for 90 days after notice to the Company, in
the  performance of any other covenant in the Indenture in respect
of the Debt  Securities of such series, (v) default resulting in
acceleration of maturity in  connection with any other series of
Debt Securities under the Indenture or  other indebtedness of the
Company, the aggregate principal amount of which  exceeds
$5,000,000, not annulled within 30 days after notice to the Company 
from the Trustee or to the Company and to the Trustee from the
Holders of at  least 25% in principal amount of Debt Securities of
such series, and (vi)  certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization.  (Section 601) </PAGE>
<PAGE>
      The Indenture provides that if an Event of Default with
respect to any  series of Debt Securities shall happen and be
continuing, the Trustee or the  Holders of 25% in principal amount
of Debt Securities of such series may  declare the principal of all
Debt Securities of such series to be due and  payable.  (Section
602)

      The Indenture provides that the Trustee will, within 90 days
after the  occurrence of a default in respect of any series of Debt
Securities known to  it, give to Holders of Debt Securities of such
series notice of such uncured  default (as defined, not including
any grace period) with respect to the Debt  Securities of such
series; but, except in the case of a default in the payment  of
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, or any sinking fund 
installment or analogous obligation with respect to, any of the
Debt Securities  of such series, the Trustee shall be protected in
withholding such notice if it  in good faith determines that the
withholding of such notice is in the interest  of such Holders of
Debt Securities of such series.  (Section 702)

      The Indenture contains a provision entitling the Trustee,
subject to the  duty of the Trustee during default in respect of
any series of Debt Securities  to act with the required standard of
care, to be indemnified by the Holders of  Debt Securities of such
series.  (Sections 702 and 703)  Subject to such right  of
indemnification, the Indenture provides that the Holders of a
majority in  principal amount of the Debt Securities of any series
may direct the time,  method, and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the  Trustee or exercising
any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee with  respect to the
Debt Securities of such series.  (Section 612)

      The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee
annually a  statement as to the fulfillment by the Company of all
of its obligations under  the Indenture.  (Section 1106)

Modification and Waiver

      The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and
the Trustee,  with the consent of the Holders of not less than a
majority in aggregate  principal amount of the Debt Securities of
each series affected (all such  Holders voting as a single class)
(which Holders, in the case of a Global  Security, shall be the
Depositary appointed by the Company (herein referred to  as the
"Depositary") as the Holder of the Global Security (as defined
below)  which represents the Debt Securities), to execute
supplemental indentures  adding any provisions to or changing in
any manner or eliminating any of the  provisions of the Indenture
or modifying in any manner the rights of the  Holders of Debt
Securities of such series, provided that no such supplemental 
indenture shall, among other things, (i) change the fixed maturity
of any Debt  Securities or reduce the principal amount thereof,
reduce the redemption  premium thereon or reduce the rate or extend
the time of payment of interest  thereon, without the consent of
the Holder of each Security so affected, or  (ii) reduce the
aforesaid percentage of the Debt Securities of any series, the 
consent of the Holders of which is required for any supplemental
indenture or  for any waiver of default under the Indenture with
respect to the Debt  Securities of such series, without the consent
of the Holders of all the Debt  Securities of each series so
affected.  (Section 1002)

      The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Debt  Securities of any series may on behalf of all the Holders
of the Debt  Securities of such series waive compliance with
certain covenants with respect  to the Debt Securities of such
series (Section 1107) or waive any past default  with respect to
the Debt Securities of such series except a default (i) in the 
payment of the principal of, premium, if
</PAGE>
<PAGE>
 any, or interest on any Debt Securities or in the payment of any
sinking fund  installment or analogous obligation, if any is
required, or (ii) a default in  respect of a covenant or provision
of the Indenture which cannot be modified or  amended without the
consent of the Holder of each Debt Security of such series 
affected.  (Section 613)

Global Securities

      The provisions set forth below in this section headed "Global
Securities"  will apply to the Debt Securities of any series if the
Prospectus Supplement  relating to such series so indicates.

      The Debt Securities of such series will be represented by one
or more  global securities (collectively, a "Global Security")
registered in the name of  a depositary (the "Depositary") or a
nominee of the Depositary identified in  the Prospectus Supplement
relating to such series.  Except as set forth below,  a Global
Security may be transferred, in whole and not in part, only to the 
Depositary or another nominee of the Depositary.

      Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depositary will
credit, on  its book-entry registration and transfer system, the
respective principal  amounts of the Debt Securities represented by
such Global Security to the  accounts of institutions that have
accounts with the Depositary or its nominee  ("Participants").  The
accounts to be credited will be designated by the  underwriters,
dealers or agents.  Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global 
Security will be limited to Participants or persons that may hold
interests  through Participants.  Ownership of interests in such
Global Security will be  shown on, and the transfer of those
ownership interests will be effected only  through, records
maintained by the Depositary (with respect to Participants' 
interests) and such Participants (with respect to the owners of
beneficial  interests in such Global Security).  The laws of some
jurisdictions may require  that certain purchasers of securities
take physical delivery of such securities  in definitive form. 
Such limits and laws may impair the ability to transfer  beneficial
interests in a Global Security.

      So long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered
holder and  owner of such Global Security, the Depositary or such
nominee, as the case may  be, will be considered the sole owner and
holder of the related Debt Securities  for all purposes of such
Debt Securities and for all purposes under the  Indenture.  Except
as set forth below or as otherwise provided in the  applicable
Prospectus Supplement, owners of beneficial interests in a Global 
Security will not be entitled to have the Debt Securities
represented by such  Global Security registered in their names,
will not receive or be entitled to  receive physical delivery of
Debt Securities in definitive form and will not be  considered to
be the owners or holders of any Debt Securities under the 
Indenture or such Global Security.  (Section 305)

      Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in a
Global  Security must rely on the procedures of the Depositary and,
if such person is  not a Participant, on the procedures of the
Participant through which such  person owns its interest, to
exercise any rights of a holder of Debt Securities  under the
Indenture or such Global Security.  The Company understands that 
under existing industry practice, in the event the Company requests
any action  of holders of Debt Securities or an owner of beneficial
interest in a Global  Security desires to take any action that the
Depositary, as holder of such  Global Security is entitled to take,
the Depositary would authorize the  Participants to take such
action, and that the Participants would authorize  beneficial
owners owning through such Participants to take such action or
would  otherwise act upon the instructions of beneficial owners
owning through them. </PAGE>
<PAGE>
      Payment of principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if
any, on  Debt Securities represented by a Global Security will be
made to the Depositary  or its nominee, as the case may be, as the
registered owner and holder of such  Global Security.

      The Company expects that the Depositary, upon receipt of any
payment of  principal, premium, if any, or interest, if any, in
respect of a Global  Security, will credit immediately
Participants' accounts with payments in  amounts proportionate to
their respective beneficial interests in the principal  amount of
such Global Security as shown on the records of the Depositary. 
The  Company expects that payments by Participants to owners of
beneficial interests  in a Global Security held through such
Participants will be governed by  standing instructions and
customary practices, as is now the case with  securities held for
the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in  "street
name" and will be the responsibility of such Participants.  Neither
the  Company not the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the
Trustee will have  any responsibility or liability for any aspect
of the records relating to, or  payments made on account of,
beneficial ownership interests in a Global  Security for any Debt
Securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing  any
records relating to such beneficial ownership interests or for any
other  aspect of the relationship between the Depositary and its
Participants or the  relationship between such Participants and the
owners of beneficial interests  in such Global Security owning
through such Participants.

      Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Debt
Securities  in definitive form, a Global Security may not be
transferred except as a whole  by the Depositary to a nominee of
such Depositary or by a nominee of such  Depositary to such
Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary.

      Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, Debt  Securities represented by a Global Security will
be exchangeable for Debt  Securities in definitive form of like
tenor as such Global Security in  denominations of $1,000 and in
any greater amount that is an integral multiple  thereof if (i) the
Depositary notifies the Company that it is unwilling or  unable to
continued as Depositary for such Global Security or if at any time 
the Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the
Exchange  Act; (ii) the Company in its discretion at any time
determines not to have all  of the Debt securities represented by
a Global Security and notifies the  Trustee thereof; or (iii) an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing  with respect to
the Debt Securities.  (Section 305)  Any Debt Security that is 
exchangeable pursuant to the preceding sentence is exchangeable for
Debt  Securities issuable in authorized denominations and
registered in such names as  the Depositary shall direct.  Subject
to the foregoing, a Global Security is  not exchangeable, except
for a Global Security or Global Securities of the same  aggregate
denominations to be registered in the name of the Depositary or its 
nominee.

Defeasance

      The Indenture provides that, if such provision is made
applicable to the  Debt Securities of any series pursuant to the
provisions of the Indenture, the  Company may elect (i) to defease
and be discharged from any and all obligations  in respect of such
Debt Securities except for certain obligations to register  the
transfer or exchange of such Debt Securities, to replace temporary, 
destroyed, stolen, lost or mutilated Debt Securities, to maintain
paying  agencies and to hold monies for payment in trust
("Defeasance") or (ii) (A) to  omit to comply with certain
restrictive covenants in Sections 1104 and 1105  (the covenants
described above under "Limitation of Liens" and "Limitation on 
Sale and Leaseback Transactions") and
</PAGE>
<PAGE>
 (B) to deem the occurrence of any event referred to in clauses
(iv) with  respect to Sections 1104 and 1105, (v) and (vi) under
"Events of Default" above  not to be or result in an Event of
Default if, in each case with respect to the  Debt Securities of
any series as provided in Section 1302 on or after the date  the
conditions set forth in Section 1303 are satisfied ("Covenant
Defeasance");  in either case upon the deposit with the Trustee (or
other qualifying trustee),  in trust, of money and/or U.S.
Government Obligations, which through the  payment of interest and
principal in respect thereof in accordance with their  terms will
provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and 
any premium and interest on the Debt Securities of such series on
the  respective stated maturities and any mandatory sinking fund
payments or  analogous payments on the days payable, in accordance
with the terms of the  Indenture and the Debt Securities of such
series.  The Prospectus Supplement  relating to a series may
further describe the provisions, if any, permitting  such
Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance with respect to the Debt
Securities of a  particular series.  (Article Thirteen)

      In the event the Company omits to comply with certain
covenants of the  Indenture with respect to the Debt Securities of
any series as described above,  and the Debt Securities of such
series are declared due and payable because of  the occurrence of
an Event of Default, the amount of money and U.S. Government 
Obligations on deposit with the Trustee will be sufficient to pay
amounts due  on the Debt Securities of such series at the time of
their Maturity but may not  be sufficient to pay amounts due on the
Debt Securities of such series at the  time of the acceleration
resulting from such Event of Default.  The Company  shall, however,
remain liable for such payments.

      Such defeasance could be treated as a redemption of the Debt
Securities  of that series prior to maturity in exchange for the
property deposited in  trust.  In such event, each holder would
generally recognize, at the time of  defeasance, gain or loss
measured by the difference between the amount of any  cash and the
fair market value of any property deemed received and the holder's 
tax basis in the Debt Securities deemed surrendered.  Thereafter,
each holder  would generally be subject to tax liability in respect
of interest income and  would recognize any gain or loss upon any
disposition, including redemption, of  the assets held in trust. 
Although tax might be owed, the holder of a defeased  Debt Security
would not receive cash (except for current payments of interest  on
the Debt Securities) until the maturity or earlier redemption of
the Debt  Securities.  Such tax treatment could affect the purchase
price that a holder  would receive upon the sale of the Debt
Securities.

Concerning the Trustee

      Chemical Bank is the Trustee under the Indenture.  The
Trustee has from  time to time made loans to the Company (including
a current participation under  the Company's three-year extendible
revolving credit facility) and has  performed other services for
the Company in the normal course of its business  and may provide
such other services in the future.  The Trustee may resign with 
respect to any series of the Debt Securities at any time, in which
event the  Company will be obligated to appoint a successor
trustee.  If the Trustee  ceases to be eligible to continue as
Trustee with respect to a series of Debt  Securities or becomes
incapable of acting as Trustee or becomes insolvent, the  Company
may remove such Trustee, or any Holder of the Debt Securities of
such  series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and
all others  similarly situated, petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the  removal of such Trustee and the appointment
of a successor trustee with respect  to such series.  Any
resignation or removal of the Trustee with respect to a  series of
Debt Securities and appointment of a successor trustee for such
</PAGE>
<PAGE>
 Trust does not become effective until acceptance of the
appointment by the  successor trustee.  (Section 710)  Pursuant to
such resignation and successor  trustee provisions, it is possible
that a different trustee could be appointed  to act as a successor
trustee with respect to each series of Debt Securities.   All
references in this Prospectus to the Trustee should be read to take
into  account the possibility that each series of Debt Securities
could have  different successor trustees in the event of such a
resignation or removal.

                         DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

      The Company may issue, separately or together with or upon
the conversion  of or exchange for other Securities, Common Stock
and Preferred Stock, all as  set forth in the accompanying
Prospectus Supplement relating to the Common  Stock or Preferred
Stock in respect of which this Prospectus is being  delivered.  The
following summaries do not purport to be complete and are  subject
to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, the
following  documents:  (i) the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation, as amended (the  "Certificate"), (ii) the Company's
bylaws, as amended (the "Bylaws"), and (iii)  an Amendment and
Restatement dated as of August 8, 1989 of a Rights Agreement  dated
as of March 4, 1986 between the Company and First Chicago Trust
Company  of New York, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agreement").  A
copy of each of the  Certificate, the Bylaws and Rights Agreement
is filed as an exhibit to the  Registration Statement.

      The Company's authorized capital stock consists of
120,000,000 shares of  common stock, par value $2.50 per share, and
20,000,000 shares of preferred  stock, par value $1.00 per share,
of which 800,000 shares have been designated  as Series A Junior
Participating Preferred Stock (the "Series A Preferred  Stock") and
3,945,000 have been designated as Convertible Voting Preferred 
Stock, Series C (the "Series C Preferred Stock").

      At the close of business on March 1, 1994, there were
37,786,859 shares  of Common Stock outstanding, including
approximately 1,812,186 shares held by  LaSalle National Trust,
N.A. in its capacity as trustee (the "ESOP Trustee") of  the CBI
Salaried Employee Stock Ownership Plan (1987) (the "ESOP"), but not 
including (i) employee options to purchase an aggregate of
1,114,850 shares of  Common Stock (of which options to purchase an
aggregate of 894,550 shares of  Common Stock were currently
exercisable); (ii) 55,000 shares of Common Stock  reserved under
the CBI Restricted Stock Plan 1989; and (iii) 521,833 shares of 
Common Stock reserved for the CBI Employee Stock Purchase and
Savings Plan  (1992). 

Common Stock

      All outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and any shares of
Common  Stock sold hereunder will be, fully paid and nonassessable. 
Each holder of  Common Stock is entitled to one vote per share held
of record on all matters  submitted to the stockholders for action. 
A vote by the holders of a majority  of shares present at a meeting
at which a quorum is present is necessary to  take action, except
for certain extraordinary corporate actions which require  the vote
of two-thirds of all outstanding shares entitled to vote thereon
(or a  majority of such outstanding shares if the extraordinary
action is recommended  by the Board of Directors).  In addition,
pursuant to a "fair price" provision  in the Company's Certificate
of Incorporation, certain business combinations  involving the
Company and any holder of more than 10% of the outstanding voting 
stock must be approved by the holders of 80% of the outstanding
voting stock,  unless approved by a majority of continuing
directors or certain minimum price </PAGE>
<PAGE>
 and procedural requirements are met.  Any action required or
permitted to be  taken by stockholders may be taken only at a
stockholders' meeting and not by  written consent.

      There are no cumulative voting rights in the election of
directors to the  Company's Board of Directors, which is divided
into three classes, with members  of each class serving a three-
year term.  Under the Company's By-Laws, written  notice of any
stockholder nomination of an individual for election as director 
must be received by the Secretary of the Company not less than 60
days prior to  the first anniversary of the last meeting of
stockholders called for the  election of directors, and such notice
must set forth certain specified  information concerning the
nominee.

      Subject to the preferences applicable to  any series of
Preferred Stock  described herein, holders of Common Stock are
entitled to dividends when and as  declared by the Board of
Directors from funds legally available therefor and  are entitled,
in the event of liquidation, to share ratably in all assets 
remaining after the payment of liabilities.  The Common Stock is
neither  redeemable nor convertible, and the holders thereof have
no pre-emptive or  subscription rights to purchase any securities
of the Company.

      The Company is the transfer agent for the Common Stock.

Preferred Stock

      Under the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of
Directors is  authorized, without further action of the
stockholders, to provide for the  issuance, and to fix the number,
of shares of Preferred Stock, in one or more  additional series,
with such voting powers and with such designations,  preferences,
and relative, participating, optional or other special rights and 
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof as shall be set
forth in  resolutions providing for the issue thereof adopted by
the Board of Directors  or a duly authorized committee thereof.

      Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement which
accompanies this  Prospectus for the following terms and other
information with respect to any  series of Preferred Stock in
respect of which this Prospectus is being  delivered: (1) the
specific title and stated value and the number of shares  offered;
(2) the price at which such offered shares shall be issued; (3) 
dividend rate (or method of calculation thereof); (4) dates on
which dividends  shall be payable; (5) whether such dividends shall
be cumulative and if  cumulative, the date from which dividends
shall commence to cumulate; (6)  liquidation preferences; (7) the
terms of any mandatory or optional redemption  (including any
sinking fund) provisions and the terms and conditions of any  such
redemption; (8) whether such Preferred Stock will be convertible
into or  exchangeable for Common Stock or other securities of the
Company, and the terms  and conditions of any such conversions or
exchanges; (9) voting rights; (10)  the securities exchange, if
any, on which the Preferred Stock will be listed;  and (11) any
other preferences, privileges, limitations and restrictions with 
respect to such series of Preferred Stock.

      No holder of Preferred Stock, solely by virtue of such
holdings, has or  will have any pre-emptive right to subscribe for
or purchase any shares of any  class or series of stock which is
now or may hereafter be authorized or issued.   All of the
outstanding shares of Preferred Stock of the Company are, and
shares  sold hereby will be, fully paid and non-assessable.
</PAGE>
<PAGE>
      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, upon  any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Company whether voluntary or  involuntary, the holders of any
series of Preferred Stock in respect of which  this Prospectus is
being delivered will have preference and priority over the  Common
Stock and any other class  or series of stock of the Company
ranking on  liquidation junior to such series of Preferred Stock,
for payment out of the  assets of the Company or proceeds thereof,
whether from capital or surplus, in  the amount set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.  After such  payment, the holders
of such series of Preferred Stock will be entitled to no  other
payments unless otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus 
Supplement.  If, in the case of any such liquidation, dissolution
or winding up  of the Company, the assets of the Company or
proceeds thereof shall be  insufficient to make the full
liquidation payment in respect of such series of  Preferred Stock
and liquidating payments on any other series of Preferred Stock 
ranking as to liquidation on a parity with such series, then those
assets and  proceeds will be distributed among the holders of such
series of Preferred  Stock and any such other series of Preferred
Stock ratably in accordance with  the respective amounts which
would be payable on such shares of such series of  Preferred Stock
and such other series of Preferred Stock if all amounts thereon 
were paid in full.  A sale of all or substantially all of the
Company's assets  or a consolidation or merger of the Company with
one or more corporations shall  not be deemed to be a liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of the Company  unless otherwise provided
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

      The Preferred Stock may be issued in the form of global
Preferred Stock  Certificates, registered in the name of a
depositary or its nominee.  If global  Preferred Stock Certificates
are issued, holders will not be entitled to  receive definitive
certificates representing shares of Preferred Stock.  In  such
instance, a holder's ownership of Preferred Stock will be recorded
on or  through the records of the brokerage firm or other entity
that maintains such  holder's account.  In turn, the total number
of shares of Preferred Stock held  by an individual brokerage firm
for its clients will be maintained on the  records of the
depositary in the name of such brokerage firm or its agent.  
Transfer of ownership of any shares of Preferred Stock represented
by a global  Preferred Stock Certificate will be effected only
through the selling holder's  brokerage firm.

      Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, the  series of Preferred Stock in respect of which this
Prospectus is being  delivered will rank as to dividends and upon
liquidation on a parity with the  Series C Preferred Stock and
senior to the Series A Junior Participating  Preferred Stock.

Series A Preferred Stock Purchase Rights and Series A Preferred
Stock

      On March 4, 1986, the Board of Directors of the Company
declared a  dividend distribution of one preferred stock purchase
right ("Right"), for each  share of Common Stock outstanding on
March 18, 1986 and for each share of  Common Stock issued
thereafter until the Distribution Date (as defined below)  and, in
certain circumstances, for shares issued after such date.  Each
Right  entitles the registered holder to purchase from the Company
one one-hundredth  (1/100) of a share of Series A Preferred Stock 
at a Purchase Price of $50.00  (the "Purchase Price").  The terms
and conditions of the rights are contained  in an Amendment and
Restatement dated as of August 8, 1989 of a Rights  Agreement dated
as of March 4, 1986 between the Company and First Chicago Trust 
Company of New York, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agreement").
</PAGE>
<PAGE>
      As discussed below, until the occurrence of certain events,
initially the  Rights will not be exercisable, certificates for the
Rights will not be issued,  and the Rights will automatically trade
with the Common Stock.

      Until the close of business on the Distribution Date, which
will occur on  the earlier of (i) the tenth day following the date
of a public announcement  that a person or group of affiliated or
associated persons ("Acquiring Person")  has acquired, or obtained
the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 20% or  more of the
outstanding Common Stock (the "Stock Acquisition Date") or (ii) the 
tenth business day (or such later date as may be determined by the
Board of  Directors prior to any person becoming an Acquiring
Person) after the  commencement of a tender or exchange offer by a
Person (as defined in the  Rights Agreement) which could result in
the ownership by such Person of 20% or  more of the outstanding
Common Stock, the Rights will be represented by and  transferred
only with the Common Stock.  Until the Distribution Date, new 
certificates issued for Common Stock will contain a legend
incorporating the  Rights Agreement by reference, and the surrender
for transfer of any of the  Common Stock certificates will also
constitute the transfer of the Rights  associated with the Common
Stock represented by those certificates.  As soon as  practicable
following the Distribution Date, separate Rights Certificates will 
be mailed to holders of record of Common Stock at the close of
business on the  Distribution Date, and thereafter the Rights
Certificates alone will evidence  the Rights.

      The Rights are not exercisable until the Distribution Date. 
The Rights  will expire at the close of business on March 18, 1996,
unless redeemed or  exchanged earlier as described below.

      Currently, there are no shares of Series A Preferred Stock
issued or  outstanding.  The Series A Preferred Stock will be
nonredeemable and, unless  otherwise provided in connection with
the creation of a subsequent series of  Preferred Stock,
subordinate to all other series of the Preferred Stock.  Each 
share of Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive,
when, as and if  declared, a quarterly dividend in an amount equal
to the greater of $10.00 per  share or 100 times the quarterly cash
dividend declared on the Common Stock.   In addition, the Series A
Preferred Stock is entitled to 100 times any non-cash  dividends
(other than dividends payable in Common Stock) declared on the
Common  Stock, in like kind.  In the event of liquidation, the
holders of Series A  Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive a
liquidation payment in an amount  equal to the greater of $50.00
per share or 100 times the liquidation payment  made per share of
Common Stock.  Each share of Series A Preferred Stock will  have
100 votes, voting together with the Common Stock and not as a
separate  class (except during a dividend default period (occurring
when dividends equal  to six quarterly dividends are in arrears),
during which there will be a right  to elect two directors voting
as a class), unless otherwise required by law or  by the Company's
Certificate of Incorporation.  In the event of any merger, 
consolidation or other transaction in which shares of Common Stock
are  exchanged or changed, each share of Series A Preferred Stock
will be entitled  to receive 100 times the amount received per
share of Common Stock.  The rights  of the Series A Preferred Stock
as to dividends, voting rights and liquidation  are protected by
antidilution provisions.

      If (i) any Person becomes an Acquiring Person other than
pursuant to a  tender or exchange offer for all outstanding shares
of Common Stock that the  Board of Directors, taking into account
the long-term value of the Company and  all other factors that the
Board considers relevant, determines to be at a  price and on terms
that are fair to the holders of Common Stock (a "Permitted  Tender
Offer"), or (ii) during
</PAGE>
<PAGE>
 such time as there is an Acquiring Person, there shall be a
reclassification  of securities, recapitalization, reorganization
or other transaction involving  the Company which increases the
proportionate equity share of the Acquiring  Person, then in either
such event each holder of a Right, other than the  Acquiring
Person, upon exercise of the Right and payment of the Purchase
Price,  will have the right to receive, in lieu of Series A
Preferred Stock, a number  of shares of Common Stock ("Adjustment
Shares") having a value, based upon the  market price during the
period immediately preceding such event, equal to twice  the
Purchase Price.  To the extent that insufficient shares of Common
Stock are  available for the exercise in full of the Rights,
holders of Rights will  receive upon exercise shares of Common
Stock to the extent available and then  cash, property or other
securities of the Company (which may be accompanied by  a reduction
in the Purchase Price), in proportions determined by the Company, 
so that the aggregate value received is equal to the value of the
Adjustment  Shares.  The Board of Directors may, at its option up
to the time an Acquiring  Person beneficially owns 50% or more of
the outstanding Common Stock, exchange  all or part of the then
outstanding and exercisable Rights for Common Stock, at  an
exchange rate of one share of Common Stock per Right, subject to
adjustment.   Rights are not exercisable following the acquisition
of shares of Common Stock  by an Acquiring Person as referred to in
clause (i) of this paragraph until the  expiration of the period
during which the Rights may be redeemed as described  below. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, after an event described in clause
(i)  or (ii) of this paragraph, Rights that are (or, under certain
circumstances,  Rights that were) beneficially owned by the
Acquiring Person will be null and  void.

      If, after any Person becomes an Acquiring Person, unless the
Rights are  redeemed earlier, (i) the Company is a party to a
merger or other business  combination in which any shares of the
Common Stock are changed into or  exchanged for other securities or
assets or (ii) more than 50% of the assets or  earning power of the
Company and its subsidiaries (taken as a whole) are sold  or
transferred in one or more transactions, proper provision shall be
made so  that each holder of record of a Right will from and after
that time have the  right to receive, upon exercise of the Right
and payment of the Purchase Price,  that number of shares of common
stock of the principal third party to the  transaction which is
equal to the Purchase Price divided by one-half of the  average
market price of a share of such party's common stock during the
period  immediately preceding such transaction.

      At any time until twenty days following the Stock Acquisition
Date, the  Board of Directors may cause the Company to redeem the
Rights in whole, but not  in part, at a price of $.05 per Right,
subject to adjustment ("the Redemption  Price").  Upon the action
of the Board of Directors authorizing redemption of  the Rights,
the right to exercise the Rights will terminate, and the holders of 
Rights will only be entitled to receive the Redemption Price.

      The terms of the Rights may be amended by the Board of
Directors, but  (following the Distribution Date) no amendment may
adversely affect the  interests of the holders of Rights.  Until a
Right is exercised, the holder, as  such, will have no rights as a
stockholder of the Company, including without  limitation, the
right to vote or to receive dividends.

Series C Preferred Stock

      All outstanding shares of the Series C Preferred Stock are
held by the  ESOP Trustee.  The Series C Preferred Stock has a
liquidation preference over  the Common Stock and the Series A
Preferred Stock of $32.40 per share (plus  accrued and unpaid
dividends), pays cumulative dividends semi-annually in the  amount
of $2.27 per share per annum and is convertible, either at the
option of  the holder or
</PAGE>
<PAGE>
 automatically in the event such Series C Preferred Stock is no
longer held by  the ESOP Trustee, into one and one-half shares of
Common Stock per share of  Series C Preferred Stock, subject to
antidilution adjustment under certain  circumstances.  Holders of
the Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to vote on  all matters
upon which holders of the Common Stock are entitled to vote, based 
on the number of shares of Common Stock into which the Series C
Preferred Stock  could be converted on the record date. 
Participants in the ESOP confidentially  direct the ESOP Trustee as
to how any Stock allocated to their accounts shall  be voted.  The
ESOP Trustee exercises its discretion to vote shares, both 
allocated and unallocated, for which no directions are received. 
In the event  of a tender offer for any Common Stock or Series C
Preferred Stock ("Stock")  held by the ESOP, each participant is to
instruct the ESOP Trustee regarding  Stock allocated to his
account.  Stock which has not been allocated will be  dealt with by
the ESOP Trustee in proportion to the directions received (or not 
received) for the allocated Stock.  In the event of a business
combination, as  defined, the ESOP terminates and the ESOP assets
are used first to repay a loan  obligation of the ESOP and then
allocated pro rata among the participants.

      If at any time dividends payable on any of the Preferred
Stock entitled  to receive cumulative preferred dividends are in
arrears and unpaid in an  amount equal to the amount of dividends
payable thereon for six quarterly  dividend periods, the number of
members of the Board of Directors shall  increase by two and the
holders of the Preferred Stock, voting separately as a  class,
shall have the exclusive right to elect such two directors.  In 
addition, the vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of
Series C  Preferred Stock, voting separately as a series, is
required before certain  rights of the Series C Preferred Stock may
be adversely affected.  The Series C  Preferred Stock may be
redeemed by the Company, in whole or in part, at the  Company's
option, commencing May 1, 1990, at a price equal initially to 105%
of  the purchase price, or $34.02 per share, declining by 1% each
year until May 1,  1995, at and after which date the redemption
price will be equal to the  purchase price of $32.40 per share,
plus in each case, an amount equal to all  dividends accrued and
unpaid on such share to the date fixed for redemption.

Delaware Law and Certain Charter and Bylaw Provisions

      The Company is subject to the provisions of Section 203 of
the General  Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.  In general,
the statute prohibits a  publicly-held Delaware corporation from
engaging in a "business combination"  with an "interested
stockholder" for a period of three years after the date  that the
person became an interested stockholder unless (with certain 
exceptions) the business combination or the transaction in which
the person  became an interested stockholder is approved in a
prescribed manner.   Generally, a "business combination" includes
a merger, asset or stock sale or  other transaction resulting in a
financial benefit to an interested 
stockholder.  Generally, an "interested stockholder" is a person
who, together  with affiliates and associates, owns (or within
three years prior, did own) 15%  or more of the corporation's
voting stock.

      The Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, and the Bylaws,
as amended,  also include provisions which could be utilized to
make more difficult, and  possibly discourage, attempts to acquire
control of the company.  These  provisions include, without
limitations, a "classified board" (election of  approximately one-
third of the directors at each annual meeting), the  authorized but
unissued shares of Preferred Stock, "fair price" provisions 
relating to certain proposed business combinations between the
Company and an  "Interested Stockholder" (i.e., the beneficial
owner of 10% or more of the  company
</PAGE>
<PAGE>
 voting stock).  Any action required or permitted to be  taken by
stockholders  may be taken only at a stockholders' meeting and not
by written consent.   Written notice of any stockholder nomination
of an individual for election as  director must be received by the
Secretary of the Company not less than 60 days  prior to the first
anniversary of the last meeting of stockholders called for  the
election of directors, and such notice must set forth certain
specified  information concerning the nominee.

                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

General

      The Company may sell the Securities (i) through underwriters
or dealers;  (ii) directly to one or more other purchasers; (iii)
through agents; (iv) to  both investors and/or dealers through a
specific bidding or auction process or  otherwise; or (v) through
a combination of such methods of sale.  The  Prospectus Supplement
with respect to the Securities will set forth the terms  of the
offering of such Securities, including the name or names of any 
underwriters, dealers or agents, the purchase price of such
Securities and the  proceeds to the Company from such sale, any
underwriting discounts and other  items constituting underwriters'
compensation, any initial public offering  price and any discounts,
commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or  paid to
dealers, and any bidding or auction process.  Any initial offering 
price and any discounts, concessions or commissions allowed or
reallowed or  paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.

      If underwriters are used in an offering, the Securities will
be acquired  by the underwriters for their own account.  The
Securities may be offered to  the public either through
underwriting syndicates represented by one or more  managing
underwriters or directly by one or more of such firms.  The
specific  managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, will be set
forth in the  Prospectus Supplement relating to the Securities
together with the members of  the underwriting syndicate, if any.
Unless otherwise set forth in the  Prospectus Supplement, the
obligations of the underwriters to purchase the  Securities will be
subject to certain conditions precedent and the underwriters  will
be obligated to purchase all such Securities if any are purchased.

      The Securities may be sold directly by the Company or through
agents  designated by the Company from time to time.  The
Prospectus Supplement will  set forth the name of any agent
involved in the offer or sale of the Securities  in respect of
which the Prospectus Supplement is delivered and any commissions 
payable by the Company to such agent.  Unless otherwise indicated
in the  Prospectus Supplement, any such agent is acting on a best
efforts basis for the  period of its appointment.

      The Securities may be sold from time to time in one or more
transactions,  at a fixed price, at varying prices determined at
the time of sale, at market  prices prevailing at the time of sale,
at prices related to such prevailing  market prices or at
negotiated prices.  The Company may also offer and sell the 
Securities in exchange for one or more of its outstanding issues of
debt  securities or preferred stock.
 
      Any underwriters, dealers, or agents participating in the
distribution of  the Securities may be deemed to be underwriters
and any discounts or  commissions received by them on the sale or
resale of the Securities may be  deemed to be underwriting
discounts and commissions under the Securities Act of  1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act").  Underwriters, dealers or agents
may  be entitled, under agreements entered into with the Company,
to indemnification  by the Company, against certain liabilities,
</PAGE>
<PAGE>
 including liabilities under the Securities Act, and to
contribution with  respect to payments which the underwriters,
dealers or agents may be required  to make in respect thereof. 
Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in  transactions with
or perform services for the Company in the ordinary course of 
business.

      The Securities, other than the Common Stock, will be a new
issue or  issues of securities with no established trading market. 
The Common Stock is  listed, and the Company may apply for the
listing of any Preferred Stock, on  the New York Stock Exchange. 
No assurance can be given that the underwriters,  dealers or
agents, if any, involved in the sale of the Securities will make a 
market in such Securities.  Whether or not any of the Securities
are listed on  a national securities exchange or the underwriters,
dealers or agents, if any,  involved in the sale of the Securities
make a market in such Securities, no  assurance can be given as to
the liquidity of the trading market for such  Securities.

      If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company
will authorize  underwriters or other persons acting as the
Company's agents to solicit offers  by certain institutions to
purchase Securities from the Company pursuant to  contracts
providing for payment and delivery on a future date.  Institutions 
with which such contracts may be made include commercial and
savings banks,  insurance companies, pension funds, investment
companies, educational and  charitable institutions and others, but
in all cases will be subject to the  approval of the Company.  The
obligations of any purchaser under any such  contract will be
subject to the condition that the purchase of the Securities  shall
not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the 
jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject.  The underwriters
and such  agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the
validity or  performance of such contracts.

      Offers to purchase Securities may be solicited directly by
the Company  and sales thereof may be made by the Company directly
to institutional  investors or others who may be deemed to be
underwriters within the meaning of  the Securities Act with respect
to any resale thereof.  The terms of any such  sales will be
described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.  Except 
as set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, no director,
officer or  employee of the Company or its subsidiaries will
solicit or receive a  commission in connection with direct sales by
the Company of the Securities,  although such persons may respond
to inquiries by potential purchasers and  perform ministerial and
clerical work in connection with any such direct sales.

                                    EXPERTS

      The Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31,  1993 of the Company incorporated by reference in this
prospectus and elsewhere  in the registration statement has been
audited by Arthur Andersen & Co.,  independent public accounts, as
indicated in their reports with respect  thereto, and is included
herein in reliance upon the authority of said firm as  experts in
accounting and auditing in giving said reports.  Reference is made 
to said reports, which call attention to 1992 changes in accounting
principles  with respect to the methods of accounting for income
taxes and for 
postretirement benefits other than pensions.
</PAGE>
<PAGE>
                            VALIDITY OF SECURITIES

      The validity of the Securities offered hereby will be passed
upon for the  Company by Charles O. Ziemer, Esq., General Counsel
of the Company, and will be  passed upon for any underwriter,
dealer or  agent by Mayer, Brown & Platt,  Chicago, Illinois.  As
of March 1, 1994, Mr. Ziemer beneficially owned 25,421  shares of
Common Stock.  The opinions of Mr. Ziemer and Mayer, Brown & Platt 
with respect to certain series of Securities may be subject to
certain  conditions and assumptions, as indicated in the Prospectus
Supplement  describing such series.  Mayer, Brown & Platt is
currently representing the  Company in certain legal matters.
</PAGE>




<PAGE>

    No dealer, salesman or other person has been authorized to
give any information or to make any representation not contained
in this Prospectus Supplement or the accompanying Prospectus and,
if given or made, such information or representation must not be
relied upon as having been authorized by the Company, by the
Underwriters or by any other person.  This Prospectus Supplement
and the accompanying Prospectus do not constitute an offer to
sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any of the securities
offered hereby to any person or by anyone in any state in which
such offer or solicitation may not lawfully be made.  Neither the
delivery of this Prospectus Supplement or any Prospectus nor any
sale made hereunder or thereunder shall, under any circumstances,
create any implication that there had been no change in the
affairs of the Company since the date hereof.
                                              

TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                      Page
Prospectus Supplement

The Company                                      S-2

Use of Proceeds                                  S-2

Selected Ratios                                  S-2

Certain Terms of the 7.48% Preferred Stock         S-3

Tax Considerations                               S-5

Underwriting                                     S-7

Validity of Securities                           S-7

Experts                                          S-7

                                Prospectus

Available Information                                2

Documents Incorporated by Reference                  2

The Company                                           3

Use of Proceeds                                      3

Selected Ratios                                       3

Description of Debt Securities                        3

Description of Capital Stock                          11

Plan of Distribution                                  16

Experts                                               18

Validity of Securities                                18








500,000 Shares
     
            
            
            CBI INDUSTRIES, INC.
  
             7.48% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series D

            Liquidation Preference
 $100 per share
     
            
            
            
            
            
                            
    
            PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 March 29, 1995
                    
    
            
            
            
            
            
            Lehman Brothers
    
            Merrill Lynch & Co.
  
            
            



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