FLORIDA ROCK INDUSTRIES INC
PRE 14A, 1997-11-17
CONCRETE, GYPSUM & PLASTER PRODUCTS
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                                                                PRELIMINARY COPY


                          FLORIDA ROCK INDUSTRIES, INC.
                155 East 21st Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32206
                       -----------------------------------

                                    NOTICE OF
                         ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

To The Shareholders:

     The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Florida Rock Industries, Inc. will be
held at 9 o'clock in the morning, local time, on Wednesday, February 4, 1998, at
the general offices of the Company, 155 East 21st Street, Jacksonville,  Florida
32206, for the following purposes, as more fully described in the attached proxy
statement:

1.   To amend ARTICLE VII of the Restated  Articles of  Incorporation  to reduce
     the  number of classes  of  directors  from four to three and to reduce the
     term of office of directors from four years to three years.

2.   To elect four  directors to serve for a term of four years (or, if proposal
     1 is adopted, for a term of three years).

3.   To transact such other  business as may properly come before the meeting or
     any adjournments thereof.

     Shareholders  of record at the close of  business  on  December 8, 1997 are
entitled  to vote at said  Annual  Meeting or any  adjournment  or  adjournments
thereof.


                                         BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

December 15, 1997                        Dennis D. Frick
                                         Secretary


          TO ASSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING, PLEASE COMPLETE
                THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE
                ACCOMPANYING ENVELOPE. IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING,
                 YOU MAY WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON.



<PAGE>



                          FLORIDA ROCK INDUSTRIES, INC.
                155 East 21st Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32206

                                 PROXY STATEMENT
                        ANNUAL MEETING - February 4, 1998


     The  attached  proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Florida Rock
Industries,  Inc.  (the  "Company")  for  use  at  the  annual  meeting  of  the
shareholders  to be held on  Wednesday,  February  4, 1998 at 9  o'clock  in the
morning,  local time, and any adjournments  thereof, at the principal offices of
the Company,  155 East 21st Street,  Jacksonville,  Florida 32206.  The proxy is
revocable by written  notice to the  Secretary of the Company at any time before
its exercise.

     Shares  represented by properly executed and returned proxies will be voted
at the  meeting  in  accordance  with the  shareholders'  directions  or,  if no
directions  are  indicated,  will be  voted in  favor  of the  amendment  to the
Company's  Restated  Articles of Incorporation  reducing the number of directors
from four to three classes and in favor of the election of the nominees proposed
in this proxy  statement  and,  if any other  matters  properly  come before the
meeting,  in  accordance  with the best  judgment of the persons  designated  as
proxies.

     This proxy statement and the  accompanying  proxy are being  distributed to
shareholders on or about December 15, 1997.


                                VOTING PROCEDURES

     The holders of record of common  stock at the close of business on December
8, 1997, may vote at the meeting. On such date there were outstanding 18,974,618
shares of common stock of the Company.  Under the Company's Restated Articles of
Incorporation  and Bylaws  each share of common  stock is  entitled to one vote.
Under the Company's Bylaws,  the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares
entitled to vote shall  constitute a quorum for the  transaction  of business at
the meeting.

     Under the Florida Business Corporation Act ("FBCA"),  directors are elected
by a  plurality  of the  votes  cast  and  other  matters  are  approved  if the
affirmative  votes cast by the holders of the shares  represented at the meeting
and entitled to vote on the subject



                                       1
<PAGE>


matter  exceed the votes  opposing the action,  unless a greater  number of
affirmative votes is required by this act or the Company's  Restated Articles of
Incorporation. The Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation require that the
proposal to amend Article VII thereof be adopted by the affirmative  vote of the
holders of at least 75% of the shares of stock of the  Company  entitled to vote
thereon.  Abstentions  and broker  non-votes will have no effect on the vote for
election of directors and most routine matters. However,  abstentions and broker
non-votes  will have the same effect as negative  votes  against the proposal to
amend ARTICLE VII of the Company's Restated Articles of Incorporation.  A broker
non-vote  generally  occurs when a broker who holds  shares in street name for a
customer does not have authority to vote on certain  non-routine matters because
its customer has not provided any voting instructions on the matter.

1.   AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VII OF THE RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

     The Company is considering applying to the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE")
for  listing  of its  common  stock.  Although  the  Company's  common  stock is
presently listed on the American Stock Exchange, the Company believes listing on
the NYSE will be beneficial  because there is a perception that: (a) the NYSE is
a more prestigious  exchange;  (b) NYSE listed companies  receive more attention
from the investment  community;  and (c) the liquidity for the Company's  shares
may be increased by trading on the NYSE.

     The NYSE requires its listed  companies to have boards of directors with no
more than three classes of directors.  Before the Company can pursue  listing on
the NYSE,  the  Company's  Board of  Directors  must have its  number of classes
reduced. Therefore, the Company's Board of Directors proposes ARTICLE VII of the
Company's  Restated Articles of Incorporation be amended to reduce the number of
authorized classes of directors from four to three.

     The proposed amendment to ARTICLE VII of the Company's Restated Articles of
Incorporation  was  adopted on  December  3,  1997,  by the  Company's  Board of
Directors which recommend shareholder approval.


                                       2
<PAGE>


     After shareholder  approval of four classes in 1983, the Company,  in 1984,
divided its board of directors into four classes with staggered four year terms.
FBCA was amended in 1989 to limit a staggered  board to three  classes and three
year terms, but "grandfathered"  existing corporations such as the Company which
had four classes.  During the Company's  last fiscal year,  two directors in the
existing Class II were lost to the Company. Mr. Robert D. Davis resigned and Mr.
Thompson S. Baker died. This leaves one director continuing in office as a Class
II director.

     The Board of Directors  does not believe that the  amendment to ARTICLE VII
will have a significant impact on any attempt by a third party to obtain control
of the Company. The Board of Directors believes that by retaining three classes,
the Company retains an  anti-takeover  defense that may deter a third party from
conducting  a  solicitation  of proxies to elect its own slate of  directors  or
otherwise  attempting  to obtain  control  of the  Company or effect a change in
management,   irrespective  of  whether  such  action  would  be  beneficial  to
shareholders generally.

     The Board has no present intention to put before the shareholders any other
proposal which would change the Company's anti-takeover defenses.

     In addition to a  staggered  Board of  Directors,  the  Company's  Restated
Articles of  Incorporation  currently  provide the  Company  with the  following
anti-takeover  defenses: (i) certain business combinations with persons who hold
10% or more of the shares of the  Company  must be approved by the holders of at
least  75% of the  shares  of the  Company,  (ii)  the  Board of  Directors  may
authorize  issuance  of, and  determine  the  voting and other  rights of, up to
10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock (none of which are presently authorized and
outstanding),  (iii) action by holders of 50% of the shares  entitled to vote is
required  to  compel  the  call  of a  special  meeting  of  shareholders;  (iv)
shareholder action may be accomplished only through a shareholder  meeting;  (v)
advance  notice to the Company for  shareholder  nomination of directors must be
made; and (vi) cumulative voting is not allowed.

     The FBCA generally limits Florida  corporations,  including the Company, in
engaging in a broad range of  transactions  with any  shareholder  who owns more
than 10% of a corporation's  outstanding  voting shares or with any affiliate of
such shareholder. The FBCA



                                       3
<PAGE>


provides  that a Florida  corporation  may not engage in such  transactions
unless,  among other things,  the  transaction is: (a) approved by two-thirds of
the corporation's  outstanding  voting shares other than the shares owned by the
interested  shareholders;  (b)  approved  by a  majority  of  the  corporation's
disinterested  directors; or (c) the corporation's  shareholders receive a "fair
price"  for their  shares as such price is  defined  in the  statutes.  The FBCA
further provide that a corporation may opt out of these  provisions by including
in its  articles of  incorporation  a  provision  expressly  electing  not to be
governed  by these  provisions.  The Company has not elected to opt out of these
provision.

     Taken together,  the provisions of the Restated  Articles of  Incorporation
and the FBCA  described  in the  preceding  paragraphs  may have the  effect  of
discouraging  or making more  difficult an attempt to effect a change in control
of the Company.

     Approval of the amendment to ARTICLE VII requires the  affirmative  vote of
the  holders  of 75% of the  shares  outstanding  and  entitled  to  vote on the
proposal.

     The text of the proposed  amendment to the Company's  Restated  Articles of
Incorporation is as follows:

                                   ARTICLE VII

                               NUMBER OF DIRECTORS

          "The number of directors of this  corporation  is twelve (12), but may
     be changed,  but not to less than three (3), by the  affirmative  vote of a
     majority  of the whole Board of  Directors  at the time in office or by the
     affirmative  vote of the  holders of at least 75% of the shares of stock of
     this corporation  entitled to vote thereon.  The directors shall be divided
     into three classes,  apportioned as follows:  Class I shall consist of four
     directors;  Class II shall consist of four  directors;  and Class III shall
     consist of four directors.  The respective initial terms of office for each
     class  of  directors  shall  be as  follows:  the  initial  term of Class I
     (previously designated as Class IV and Class II directors prior to amending
     this ARTICLE VII at the


                                       4
<PAGE>


     Annual  Meeting of  Shareholders  in 1998)  will  expire at the Annual
     Meeting of  Shareholders  in 1999;  the initial  term of Class II directors
     (previously  designated as Class I directors prior to amending this ARTICLE
     VII at the Annual  Meeting  of  Shareholders  in 1998)  will  expire at the
     Annual Meeting of  Shareholders  in 2000; and the initial term of Class III
     directors  (previously  designated as Class III directors prior to amending
     this ARTICLE VII at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 1998) will expire
     at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders in 2001.  After the expiration of the
     applicable  initial term,  each successive term of office for each class of
     directors shall be three years. If the number of directors is changed,  any
     increase  or  decrease  shall be  apportioned  among the  classes  so as to
     maintain, as nearly as may be practicable,  an equal number of directors in
     each class.  Any vacancy  occurring in the Board of Directors may be filled
     by the affirmative  vote of a majority of the remaining  directors,  though
     less than a quorum.  Any  director of any class  elected to fill a vacancy,
     including a vacancy  resulting from an increase in the number of directors,
     shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of
     that class. In no case, however, will a decrease in the number of directors
     shorten the term of any incumbent  director.  A director  shall hold office
     until the annual  meeting for the year in which his term  expires and until
     his successor  shall be elected and shall  qualify.  A director may only be
     removed  for  'cause',  which  shall be  defined  for these  purposes  as a
     conviction  of a felony,  declaration  of  unsound  mind by a court  order,
     adjudication  of  bankruptcy,  non-acceptance  of office  or such  director
     having been adjudged by a court of competent  jurisdiction to be liable for
     negligence or misconduct in the performance of his duty to this corporation
     in a  matter  of  substantial  importance  to  this  corporation  and  such
     adjudication  is no longer  subject to direct  appeal.  This Article may be
     amended or repealed only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least
     75% of the shares of stock of this corporation entitled to vote thereon."

     The Board of Directors recommends shareholder approval.



                                       5
<PAGE>


2. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     Under  the  Company's  Restated  Articles  of  Incorporation,  the Board of
Directors  is divided  into four  classes.  One class of directors is elected at
each  annual  meeting  of  shareholders  for a  four-year  term of  office.  The
below-named  directors  are  nominated to be re-elected to hold office until the
2002  annual  meeting.  However,  if the  proposal  to amend  ARTICLE VII of the
Company's  Restated Articles of Incorporation to reduce the number of classes of
directors from four to three and the  directors'  term of office from four years
to  three  years  is  adopted  by the  shareholders,  then  in such  event  such
re-election  shall be for a term of  three  years  and  until  the  2001  annual
meeting.  The enclosed proxy will be voted for the election of the persons named
as directors of the Company unless otherwise  indicated by the shareholders.  If
any of the  nominees  named  should  become  unavailable  for  election  for any
presently unforeseen reason, the persons named in the proxy shall have the right
to vote for a  substitute  as may be  designated  by the Board of  Directors  to
replace  such  nominee,  or  the  Board  may  reduce  the  number  of  directors
accordingly.

         The following table sets forth information with respect to each nominee
for  election as a director  and each  director  whose term of office  continues
after  the 1998  annual  meeting.  Reference  is made to the  sections  entitled
"Common  Stock  Ownership  of  Certain  Beneficial  Owners"  and  "Common  Stock
Ownership by Directors and Officers" for information  concerning stock ownership
of the nominees and directors.


                                       6
<PAGE>


NAME AND PRINCIPAL                          DIRECTOR           OTHER
  OCCUPATION                      AGE        SINCE         DIRECTORSHIPS


                 Class III - Nominees for Terms Expiring in 2002

                    (If proposal 1 is adopted, designated as
                 Class III, Nominees for Terms Expiring in 2001)


Thompson S. Baker II               39         1991     FRP Properties, Inc.
 Vice President of the
 Company


Albert D. Ernest, Jr.              67         1989     FRP Properties, Inc.
 President of Albert                                   Regency Realty
 Ernest Enterprises, an                                 Corporation
 investment and consulting                             Stein Mart, Inc.
 firm                                                  Wickes Lumber Company
                                                       The Emerald Fund

Luke E. Fichthorn III              56         1972     Bairnco Corporation
 Partner in Twain                                      FRP Properties, Inc.
 Associates (a private
 investment banking firm)
 and Chairman of the Board
 and Chief Executive Officer
 of Bairnco Corporation
 (manufacturing)

C. J. Shepherdson                  81         1972
 Vice President of the
 Company


                                       7
<PAGE>


                        Class IV - Terms Expiring in 1999

                   (If proposal 1 is adopted, redesignated as
                        Class I - Terms Expiring in 1999)


A. R. Carpenter                    55         1993     Barnett Banks, Inc.
 President and Chief                                   Barnett Banks of
 Executive Officer of CSX                                Jacksonville, N.A.
 Transportation, Inc.                                  Regency Realty
                                                        Corporation
                                                       American Heritage
                                                        Life Insurance Co.
                                                       Stein Mart, Inc.

John D. Baker, II                  49         1979     FRP Properties, Inc.
 President and Chief                                   Hughes Supply, Inc.
 Executive Officer
 of the Company

Charles H. Denny III               65         1975
 Investments


                        Class I - Terms Expiring in 2000

                   (If proposal 1 is adopted, redesignated as
                       Class II - Terms Expiring in 2000)


Edward L. Baker                     62         1970    FRP Properties, Inc.
 Chairman of the Board                                 Regency Realty
 of the Company                                         Corporation
                                                       American Heritage
                                                        Life Investment
                                                        Corporation
                                                       Flowers Industries,
                                                        Inc.

Francis X. Knott                    52         1988    FRP Properties, Inc.
 Chief Executive Officer
 of Partners Management
 Company


                                       8
<PAGE>


Radford D. Lovett                   64         1984    First Union Cor-
 Chairman of the Board of                               poration
 Commodores Point Terminal                             Winn-Dixie Stores,
 Corp. (marine terminal)                                Inc.
                                                       American Heritage
                                                        Life Investment
                                                        Corporation
                                                       FRP Properties,
                                                        Inc.

W. Thomas Rice                      85         1974
 Chairman Emeritus of
 Seaboard Coast Line
 Industries, Inc.

                        Class II- Terms Expiring in 2001

                   (If proposal 1 is adopted, redesignated as
                        Class I - Terms Expiring in 1999)


Frank M. Hubbard                    77         1972
 Chairman of the Board
 of A. Friends' Founda-
 tion Trust



                                       9
<PAGE>


     All of the nominees and directors  have been  employed in their  respective
positions for the past five years,  except John D. Baker II. In February,  1996,
John D.  Baker II was  elected to the  additional  position  of Chief  Executive
Officer of the Company.

     Edward L. Baker and John D. Baker II are brothers.  Thompson S. Baker II is
the son of Edward L. Baker.

     See  "Compensation  Committee  Interlocks  and Insider  Participation"  and
"Certain  Relationships  and  Related  Transactions"  for a  discussion  of  the
relationships between the Company and FRP Properties, Inc.


              Other Information About the Board and Its Committees

     Meetings.  During the fiscal year ended  September  30, 1997 the  Company's
Board of Directors  held five  meetings.  Directors who are not employees of the
Company or its subsidiaries are paid annual fees of $10,000 plus $2,000 for each
directors'  meeting  attended.  Members of the Company's Audit and  Compensation
Committees  receive $300 and the Chairman of each  committee  receives  $500 for
each committee  meeting attended.  Members of the Long Range Planning  Committee
received  $1,250 for each committee  meeting held. All such directors  currently
participate  in the  Company's  Directors  Stock  Purchase  Plan  under  which a
director may designate  all, or any part,  of his  director's  compensation  for
investment in Company's Stock purchased in the open market through a broker. The
Company  matches 25% of the  director's  designated  portion and pays all broker
commissions.


                                       10
<PAGE>


     Executive  Committee.  Edward L.  Baker and John D. Baker II. To the extent
permitted  by law, the  Executive  Committee  exercises  the powers of the Board
between  meetings  of the Board of  Directors.  During  the  fiscal  year  ended
September 30, 1997, the Executive  Committee held no formal meetings,  but acted
on various resolutions by unanimous written consents.

     Audit Committee.  During the past year, Messrs. Denny, Fichthorn,  Hubbard,
Knott and Rice. The Audit  Committee  recommends the  appointment of independent
accountants  to audit the Company's  consolidated  financial  statements  and to
perform  professional  services related to the audit, meets with the independent
accountants  and reviews the scope and results of their  audit,  and reviews the
fees charged by the independent  auditors.  The Committee also reviews the scope
and results of internal audits. During fiscal 1997, the Audit Committee held two
meetings.

     Compensation  Committee.  During the past year Messrs.  Carpenter,  Ernest,
Hubbard,  Lovett and Rice.  The Committee  determines the  compensation  for the
Chief  Executive  Officer  and  reviews  and  approves  compensation  for  other
corporate  officers and certain other members of  management.  In addition,  the
Committee  administers the Company's  stock option plans,  subject to control of
the Board of  Directors,  and the  Management  Incentive  Compensation  program.
During fiscal 1997, the Compensation Committee held five meetings.

     Long  Range  Planning  Committee.  During the past year  Messrs.  Edward L.
Baker, John D. Baker II, Carpenter,  Ernest, Fichthorn and Lovett. The Committee
reviews the Company's long term strategic  initiatives.  During fiscal 1997, the
Long Range Planning Committee held two meetings.


     The full Board of Directors acts as the Nomination Committee.

     During the last fiscal year each of the  directors  attended 75% or more of
all  meetings  of the Board and its  Committees  on which the  director  served,
except for A. R. Carpenter who attended 70% of such meetings.


                                       11
<PAGE>


                             Executive Compensation

Summary Compensation Table

     The following table sets forth  information  concerning the compensation of
the Company's Chief Executive Officer and its other four most highly compensated
executive  officers who served in such  capacities at any time during the fiscal
year ended September 30, 1997:



                                       12
<PAGE>


                                                                    All
                                                   Long Term       Other
                      Annual Compensation        Compensation   Compensation

Name and Principal         Salary       Bonus       Granted
   Position         Year   ($)(a)       ($)(a)        (e)         ($) (b)

John D. Baker, II   1997  315,000                   100,000      26,997(c)
 President and      1996  281,250       85,500            0      25,556(c)
 Chief Executive    1995  266,250       81,000       35,000      24,770(c)
 Officer

Edward L. Baker     1997  395,000                   100,000      37,251(d)
 Chairman of the    1996  390,000      118,500            0      36,005(d)
 Board              1995  368,563      112,500            0      35,391(d)


C. J. Shepherdson   1997  275,000                    30,000      14,194
 Vice President     1996  261,250       79,500            0      12,543
                    1995  247,500       75,000            0      11,591

H. B. Horner        1997  225,000                    30,000      14,194
 Executive Vice     1996  218,750       64,020            0      12,543
 President          1995  213,750       64,500            0      11,591

Fred W. Cohrs       1997  225,000                    30,000      14,194
 Vice President     1996  206,200       40,000            0      12,793
                    1995



(a)  Includes  amounts  deferred under the Company's Profit Sharing and Deferred
     Earnings  Plan.  Bonuses  are  accrued  in the year  earned and paid in the
     following year.

(b)  Represents the  contribution  to the Company's  Profit Sharing and Deferred
     Earnings Plan.

(c)  Includes $12,803 in 1997,  $13,013 in 1996 and $13,179 in 1995, the present
     value of the benefit of a split-dollar premium paid during the fiscal year.


                                       13
<PAGE>


(d)  Includes $23,057 in 1997,  $23,462 in 1996 and $23,800 in 1995, the present
     value of the benefit of a split-dollar premium paid during the fiscal year.

(e)  See Option  Grant  Table on page __ for more detail  concerning  the option
     grant.  Options  granted  were  adjusted  for the two for one  stock  split
     effective October 31, 1997.
     
Option Grants in the Last Fiscal Year

         The following table sets forth certain  information  concerning options
granted  during the fiscal year ended  September  30,  1997,  to each  executive
officer named in the Summary Compensation Table.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                             % of                                        Potential Realizable
                                             Total                                         Value at Assumed
                           Number of        Options        Exercise                        Annual Rates of
                           Securities       Granted        or Base                            Stock Price
                           Underlying      Employees        Price                          Appreciation for
                             Options          in             Per                            Option Term (2)
                             Granted        Fiscal         Shares       Expiration
      Name                     (1)           Year          ($) (1)         Date            5%($)       10%($)
      ----                   -------        -----          ------          ----           -------------------

<S>                          <C>            <C>            <C>             <C>           <C>        <C>

John D. Baker II             100,000        10.89%         16.40625        5/4/07        1,031,780  2,614,700
Edward L. Baker              100,000        10.89%         16,40625        5/4/07        1,031,780  2,614,700
C.J. Shepherdson              30,000         3.27%         16.40625        5/4/07          309,534    784,420
H. B. Horner                  30,000         3.27%         16.40625        5/4/07          309,534    784,420
Fred W. Cohrs                 30,000         3.27%         16.40625        5/4/07          309,534    784,420

</TABLE>



(1)  Reflects nonqualified options granted pursuant to the Company's 1996 Option
     Plan.  The grant and exercise  price have been  adjusted to reflect the two
     for one stock split effective October 31, 1997 to shareholders of record on
     October 15, 1997. The option  exercise price of all options  granted equals
     the fair market  value of the shares of common  stock of the Company on the
     date of grant.  The options are subject to vesting in 20% increments over a
     five year period,  unless  accelerated upon the optionee's  retirement or a
     change in control of the Company.



                                       14
<PAGE>


(2)  Potential  realizable  is reported net of the option  exercise  price,  but
     before taxes associated with the exercise.  These amounts  represent stated
     assumed rates of  appreciation  only.  Actual values  realized,  if any, on
     stock  option  exercises  are  dependent on the future  performance  of the
     common stock and the officer's continued employment  throughout the vesting
     period.   Accordingly,   the  amounts  reflected  in  this  table  may  not
     necessarily be achieved.

Option Exercises and Year End Values

         The  following  table shows  information  with respect to stock options
exercised  during the fiscal  year ended  September  30, 1997 and the number and
value of unexercised options held by each executive officer named in the Summary
Compensation Table.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                              Number of                 Value of Unexercised
                                                             Unexercised                In-The-Money Options
                                                              Options at                   at September 30,
                                                          September 30, 1997                   1997 (1)
                            Shares        
                           Acquired        Value          Exercis-  Unexer-               Exercis-   Unexer-
     Name                 on Exercise     Realized        sisable#  cisable#               able$     cisable$
- --------------            -----------     --------        --------  --------              -------    --------

<S>                         <C>            <C>             <C>        <C>                <C>         <C>

John D.Baker  II                                           120,000    100,000            1,908,282  1,334,375
Edward L. Baker                                            130,000    100,000            1,129,375  1,334,375
C.J. Shepherdson            30,000         378,000          36,000     30,000              618,750    400,313
H. B. Horner                27,000         296,177                     30,000                         400,313
Fred W. Cohrs                                                          30,000                         400,313


(1)       The options and shares acquired have been adjusted to reflect the
          two for one stock split effective  October 31, 1997 to shareholders of
          record on October 15, 1997. The closing price of the company's  common
          stock as adjusted for the stock split on the American  Stock  Exchange
          composite  transactions  on  September  30,  1997 of  $29.75  less the
          exercise  price,  was used in calculating the value of unexercised and
          exercisable options.


                                       15
<PAGE>


Pension Plan

     The Company  has a  Management  Security  Plan (the "MSP Plan") for certain
officers,  including  directors  who are  officers,  and certain key  employees.
Benefit levels have been  established on the basis of base  compensation and job
responsibility. The MSP Plan provides that in the event a participant dies prior
to his  retirement  his  beneficiary  will  receive  twice  the  amount  of such
participant's  benefit  level in monthly  payments for a period of 12 months and
thereafter  the  benefit  level in monthly  payments  for the next 168 months or
until such time as such  participant  would have  reached age 65,  whichever  is
later. Upon reaching normal retirement age, a participant is entitled to receive
twice the amount of his benefit  level in equal  monthly  payments for 12 months
and  thereafter  until his death,  the benefit level in monthly  payments.  If a
participant  dies after his retirement,  his  beneficiary,  if any, will receive
such  participant's  benefit  for a  period  of 15  years  from  the date of the
participant's retirement or until the death of the beneficiary, whichever occurs
first.  The annual  retirement  benefit  levels in effect at September  30, 1997
were:


         John D. Baker II                        $142,500
         Edward L. Baker                         $197,500
         C. J. Shepherdson                       $132,500
         H. B. Horner                            $110,000
         Fred W. Cohrs                           $ -0-

In addition to amounts stated in the above table, the Company has entered into a
retirement  benefit  contract with C. J.  Shepherdson  which provides for annual
retirement  benefits of $20,000.  The benefits are payable to Mr. Shepherdson or
his spouse until the death of the survivor.

     Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company's
previous filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  that  incorporate  future filings,  including
this Proxy Statement,  in whole or in part, the following Compensation Committee
Report and Shareholder Return Performance shall not be incorporated by reference
into any such filings.


                                       16
<PAGE>


                          Compensation Committee Report

     The  Compensation  Committee  of  the  Board  of  Directors   ("Committee")
determines  the  compensation  of the Chief  Executive  Officer  and reviews and
approves  compensation  of other  officers and members of management  reaching a
salary level  established by the Board. In addition,  the Committee  administers
the  Company's  stock  option  plans,  subject to control of the Board,  and the
Management  Incentive  Compensation ("MIC") program. The full Board ratifies the
recommendations of the Committee.

     The Committee's  goals are to develop and maintain  executive  compensation
programs that preserve and enhance shareholder value. Under the direction of the
Committee,  management  has  developed  a  compensation  structure  designed  to
compensate  fairly  executives for their  performance  and  contribution  to the
Company,  to attract and retain  skilled and  experienced  personnel,  to reward
superior performance and to align executive and shareholder long-term interests.

         Base  salary  levels  for  executives  are   established   taking  into
consideration  business conditions,  the Company's size and performance and peer
group and industry  compensation levels. The Chief Executive Officer's salary is
based on these  factors  and his  performance  in leading  the  Company  and its
businesses.

     The MIC program  provides  officers and key  employees an  opportunity  for
annual  incentive  compensation.  The program provides an annual cash bonus as a
financial  incentive to  participants  who achieve their business unit's and the
Company's  goals and objectives.  Profit levels are set for various  segments of
the business.  Depending on the level of profitability  obtained,  an individual
may become  eligible for a bonus equal to a certain  percentage  of his year end
base  salary  ranging  up to a maximum of 30%.  However,  that bonus may then be
adjusted  down  based on the  degree by which the  individual  accomplishes  his
individual  goals and  objectives  for the year. The total amount of MIC for the
entire  Company  in any year is  limited to 15% of  consolidated  income  before
income taxes. At the beginning of each year, after taking into consideration the
outlook  for the general  economy,  the  construction  materials  industry,  the
Company's markets, prior year



                                       17
<PAGE>


performance  and the budget for the upcoming  year the  Committee  approves
target  levels of net income as  adjusted by certain  items as profit  levels on
which the Chief Executive Officer's MIC is based.

     The Committee  believes that  long-term  compensation  in the form of stock
options is  critical in  motivating  and  rewarding  the  creation of  long-term
shareholder value by linking the compensation provided to officers and other key
management personnel with gains realized by the shareholders.  In addition,  the
vesting  periods  associated  with  stock  options  encourage  this key group to
continue in the employ of the Company.  All options granted have been granted at
an option price equal to the fair market value of the Company's  common stock on
the date of grant.  In  subjectively  determining  the  number of  options to be
granted to an individual,  including the Chief Executive Officer,  the Committee
takes into account the cost to exercise the option and the individual's relative
base salary, scope of responsibility, ability to affect profits and value to the
Company.

     This report is submitted by the members of the Compensation  Committee:  W.
Thomas Rice, Chairman, A. R. Carpenter,  Albert D. Ernest, Jr., Frank M. Hubbard
and Radford D. Lovett.

           Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

     Two members of the Compensation  Committee,  Messrs. Lovett and Ernest, are
among  the  seven  directors  of the  Company  who  are  also  directors  of FRP
Properties, Inc. ("FRPP"). The other five directors of both FRPP and the Company
who are not members of the Compensation  Committee are Edward L. Baker,  John D.
Baker II, Thompson S. Baker II, Luke E. Fichthorn III and Francis X. Knott.  The
seven directors own  approximately 40% of the stock of FRPP and 30% of the stock
of the Company.  The Bakers may be considered to be control  persons of both the
Company and FRPP.

     Messrs. Edward L. Baker, Albert D. Ernest, Jr. and A. R. Carpenter serve as
members  of the  Compensation  Committee  of the Board of  Directors  of Regency
Realty  Corporation.  Mr. Martin E. Stein,  Jr., who is a director of FRPP, is a
director, President and Chief Executive Officer of Regency Realty Corporation.



                                       18
<PAGE>


     There were no other  interlocks  of executive  officers or board members of
the Company  serving on the  compensation  or  equivalent  committee  of another
entity which has any director or executive  officer serving on the  Compensation
Committee, other committees or Board of Directors of the Company.

                         Shareholder Return Performance

     The following graph compares the performance of the Company's  Common Stock
to that of the AMEX Market  Value  Index and a peer group of industry  companies
for the period  commencing  September 30, 1992 and ending on September 30, 1997.
The graph  assumes that $100 was invested on September 30, 1992 in the Company's
common  stock  and in  each of the  indices  and  assumes  the  reinvestment  of
dividends.  The Peer Group  consists  of the  following  companies:  CalMat Co.,
Florida Rock Industries,  Inc., Lafarge Corporation,  Martin Marietta Materials,
Inc., Medusa  Corporation,  Southdown,  Inc., Texas Industries,  Inc. and Vulcan
Materials  Company.  This  group is  consistent  with the group used in the 1996
Proxy Statement.

Index as of September 30


                1992       1993       1994       1995       1996      1997
Florida Rock     100        114        114        123        129       270
AMEX             100        122        122        145        152       191
Peer Group       100        135        150        152        171       280


                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     Seven of the  Company's  directors  (Edward  L.  Baker,  John D.  Baker II,
Thompson S. Baker II, Albert D. Ernest,  Jr., Luke E. Fichthorn III,  Francis X.
Knott  and  Radford  D.  Lovett)  are  directors  of FRPP.  Such  directors  own
approximately  40% of the  stock  of FRPP and 30% of the  stock of the  Company.
Accordingly,  the Bakers  may be  considered  to be control  persons of both the
Company  and  FRPP.   See   "Compensation   Committee   Interlocks  and  Insider
Participation" for further  information on the relationship  between the Company
and FRPP.


                                       19
<PAGE>


     The Company and FRPP routinely are engaged in business together through the
hauling by FRPP of  construction  aggregates  and other products for the Company
and the  leasing to the  Company  of  construction  aggregates  mining and other
properties. FRPP has numerous aggregates hauling competitors at all terminal and
plant sites and the rates charged are,  accordingly,  established by competitive
conditions.  Approximately  9% of FRPP's  revenue was  attributed to the Company
during fiscal year 1997.

     On October 9, 1996,  a  subsidiary  of the Company sold a 134 acre tract of
surplus  real estate in  Edgewood,  Maryland,  formerly  used for  mining,  to a
subsidiary of FRPP for $500,000 and the assumption of certain  reclamation costs
and benefits relating to the site. An appraisal of the property was obtained and
the  transaction  was approved by the  Company's  Board of Directors  with those
directors who are also directors of FRPP abstaining.

     Edward L. Baker and John D. Baker II are  entitled  to receive  sand mining
royalty  payments of $.05 per ton from the Company under lease  agreements which
terminate in 2002 and 2048 relating to approximately 489 acres. No payments were
made during fiscal 1997 under these agreements.

     On May 14, 1974,  the Company  exercised its option to purchase the sand on
71 acres of land in  Putnam  County,  Florida.  The land is owned  25% by Edward
L.Baker,  25% by a trust in which Edward L. Baker and John D. Baker II each have
a one-third beneficial interest and 50% by certain other interests.  The term of
the agreement ends on June 30, 2004. The landowners are entitled to receive $.08
per ton  (subject  to  escalation  provisions)  for sand as it is mined  with an
annual minimum  payment of $6,000.  The minimum  payment only was paid in fiscal
1997. The mining agreement may be terminated at any time by the Company.

     Mr.  Fichthorn  provided the Company with  financial  consulting  and other
services during fiscal 1997 for which he received $60,000.

     In the opinion of the  Company,  the terms,  conditions,  transactions  and
payments under the  agreements  with the persons  described  above were not less
favorable  to the  Company  than  those  which  would have been  available  from
unaffiliated persons.


                                       20
<PAGE>

               COMMON STOCK OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

     The following table and notes set forth the beneficial  ownership of common
stock of the  Company by each person  known by the  Company to own  beneficially
more than 5% of the common stock of the Company.  The stock has been adjusted to
reflect the two for one stock split effective October 31, 1997.

  NAME AND ADDRESS                 AMOUNT AND NATURE      PERCENT
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER               BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP    OF CLASS

Baker Investments, Ltd.               4,108,172 (1)        21.5%
 P.O. Box 4667
 Jacksonville, FL 32201

Quest Advisory Corp.                  1,652,200 (2)         8.7%
Quest Management Company                 63,200 (2)          .3%
                                      -------------
 1414 Avenue of the Americas
 New York, NY  10019                  1,715,400 (2)         9.0%

(1)  Baker  Investments,  Ltd. is a limited  partnership owned and controlled by
     the Baker family. Edward L. Baker and John D. Baker II are general partners
     and as such have shared voting and dispositive  power over the shares owned
     by the partner- ship. Directly as general partners and through trusts which
     are limited  partners,  each of Edward L. Baker and John D. Baker II have a
     pecuniary interest in 1,369,390 shares. Ownership is reported as of October
     30, 1997.


(2)  Quest  Advisory  Corp.  ("Quest"),  Quest  Management  Company  ("QMC") and
     Charles M. Royce  reported  that they are  members of a group  pursuant  to
     Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 13d-(1)(b)(ii)(H). Mr. Royce may be
     deemed to be a  controlling  person  of Quest  and QMC,  and as such may be
     deemed to own  beneficially the shares of common stock of the Company owned
     beneficially by Quest and QMC. Mr. Royce does not own any shares outside of
     Quest and QMC,  and  disclaims  beneficial  ownership of the shares held by
     Quest  and QMC.  Quest and QMC are  investment  advisers  registered  under
     Section 203 of the  Investment  Advisers Act of 1940.  Each has sole voting
     and dispositive  power as to the shares shown.  Ownership is reported as of
     February 3, 1997.



                                       21
<PAGE>

                COMMON STOCK OWNERSHIP BY DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

     The following table and notes set forth the beneficial  ownership of common
stock of the Company by each director and each non-director named in the Summary
Compensation  Table and by all officers and  directors of the Company as a group
as of October 30, 1997 and also includes shares held under options as of October
30, 1997 which are exercisable within 60 days of December 15, 1997.


   NAME OF                      AMOUNT AND NATURE            PERCENT OF
BENEFICIAL OWNER               BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP**           CLASS


Edward L. Baker                4,594,508 (1)(2)(3)(4)         24.1%
John D. Baker II                 925,776 (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)    4.9%
Thompson S. Baker II              61,228 (2)                    *
A. R. Carpenter                    1,130                        *
Charles H. Denny III             255,890 (7)                   1.3%
Albert D. Ernest, Jr.              3,475                        *
Luke E. Fichthorn III             45,337                        *
H. B. Horner                       1,800                        *
Frank M. Hubbard                                                *
Francis X. Knott                   5,888                        *
Radford D. Lovett                 19,419                        *
W. Thomas Rice                    17,202                        *
C. J. Shepherdson                 97,290                        *


All Directors and
Officers as a group
(20 people)                    6,131,585 (8)                  32.1%

*Less than 1%

     The preceding table includes the following  shares held under the Company's
Tax Reduction Act Employee Stock  Ownership  Plan  ("TRAESOP") as of October 30,
1997, as to which the named person has sole voting power,  and shares held under
options which are exercisable within 60 days of December 15, 1997.


                                       22
<PAGE>

                          SHARES UNDER TRAESOP      SHARES UNDER OPTION


Edward L. Baker                12,060                  130,000
John D. Baker II                7,236                   99,000
Thompson S. Baker II               58                   35,000
H. B. Horner                      --                     -0-
S. R. Hays                      6,282                   17,000

All directors and
officers as a group            64,548                  350,000


(1)  ___ of the shares  shown  opposite  Edward L. Baker are held in a fiduciary
     account  and  beneficially  owned by the Estate of  Thompson  S. Baker and,
     under certain circumstances,  by members of his family, including his sons,
     Edward L. Baker and John D. Baker II who are also directors and officers of
     the Company.  Edward L. Baker and John D. Baker,  II are  co-trustees  with
     SunTrust Bank/North Florida, N.A. as to these shares and have shared voting
     power;  however,  the  individual  trustees  have the power to  remove  the
     corporate  trustee  and  appoint  a  successor  corporate  trustee  and the
     individual  trustees  share  investment  power  to  the  exclusion  of  the
     corporate  trustee in the event of  disagreement.  Such shares are excluded
     from those shown opposite the name of John D. Baker II.

(2)  Edward  L.  Baker,  John  D.  Baker  II and  Thompson  S.  Baker  II may be
     considered to be control persons of the Company.

(3)  Shares shown opposite the name of Edward L. Baker include  4,108,172 shares
     owned by Baker  Investments,  Ltd. See note (1) on page __. Such shares are
     excluded from those shown opposite the name of John D. Baker II.

(4)  Includes  5,364  shares  owned  by Mrs.  Edward  L.  Baker,  as to which he
     disclaims any beneficial  interest.  Includes 106,920 shares held by Edward
     L.  Baker as  trustee  for the  children  of John D.  Baker II, as to which
     Edward L. Baker has sole  investing  and  voting  power but  disclaims  any
     beneficial interest. Such shares are excluded from those shown opposite the
     name of John D. Baker II.


                                       23
<PAGE>


(5)  Includes  2,800 shares owned by Mrs.  John D. Baker II, as to which John D.
     Baker II disclaims any beneficial interest.

(6)  Regency Square II, a Florida general partnership, owns 54,000 shares of the
     Company.  Trust B under the will of Martin E. Stein, deceased, as a general
     partner, holds a 46.2128% interest in the partnership.  John D. Baker II is
     a  co-trustee  of the trust and as such has a one-third  shared  voting and
     dispositive power as to the trust. The partnership's  shares in the Company
     are  included  in the above table for John D. Baker II, who  disclaims  any
     pecuniary or other beneficial interest in such shares.

(7)  Includes  4,000  shares  owned by Mrs.  Charles H.  Denny III,  as to which
     Charles H. Denny III disclaims any beneficial interest.

(8)  Includes,  in addition to all of the individual  holdings for persons named
     above,  57,790 shares owned by other officers of the Company,  of which 200
     shares  are owned by the wife of one  officer  and  29,122  shares are held
     under the Company's Tax Reduction Act Employee  Stock  Ownership Plan as to
     which such other officers,  respectively, have sole voting power and 33,000
     shares held under  options which were  exercisable  within 60 days December
     15, 1997.

                              INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

     The Board of Directors  has selected  Deloitte & Touche LLP as  independent
certified public accountants to examine the consolidated financial statements of
the  Company  for  fiscal  1998.  Representatives  of  Deloitte & Touche LLP are
expected to be present at the shareholders' meeting with the opportunity to make
a statement if they so desire and will be  available  to respond to  appropriate
questions.

                              SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS

     Proposals of  shareholders  intended to be included in the Company's  proxy
statement  and  form of  proxy  relating  to the  1998  Annual  Meeting  must be
delivered in writing to the principal  executive offices of the Company no later
than August 17,  1998.  The  inclusion  of any  proposal  will be subject to the
applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.


                                       24
<PAGE>

             SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

         Section  16(a) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934  requires  the
Company's executive officers,  directors and beneficial owners of 10% or more of
the Company's  outstanding common stock to file initial reports of ownership and
reports of changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission, The
American Stock Exchange and the Company.  Based solely on a review of the copies
of such forms  furnished  to the Company and  written  representations  from the
Company's  executive  officers and directors,  the Company  believes all persons
subject to these reporting  requirements  filed the required reports on a timely
basis.


                              COST OF SOLICITATION

     The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company, including
expenses in connection with the preparation and mailing of this proxy statement.
The Company will reimburse  brokers and nominees their  reasonable  expenses for
sending proxy material to principals and obtaining their proxies. In addition to
solicitation  by mail,  proxies may be  solicited  in person or by  telephone or
other  electronic  means by  directors,  officers  and  other  employees  of the
Company.


                                  OTHER MATTERS

     The Board of  Directors  does not know of any other  matters to come before
the meeting.  However, if any other matters come before the meeting, the persons
named in the enclosed form of proxy or their substitutes will vote said proxy in
respect of any such matters in accordance  with their best judgment  pursuant to
the discretionary authority conferred thereby.


                       BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS



December 15, 1997                Dennis D. Frick
                                    Secretary


                                       25
<PAGE>


                    PLEASE RETURN THE ENCLOSED FORM OF PROXY,
                   DATED AND SIGNED, IN THE ENCLOSED ADDRESSED
                      ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE.

SHAREHOLDERS  MAY  RECEIVE  WITHOUT  CHARGE A COPY OF FLORIDA  ROCK  INDUSTRIES,
INC.'S  ANNUAL  REPORT TO THE  SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION ON FORM 10-K
INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS  AND THE  FINANCIAL  STATEMENT  SCHEDULES BY
WRITING TO THE TREASURER AT POST OFFICE BOX 4667, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA 32201.




                                       26
<PAGE>

                                                                PRELIMINARY COPY

                          FLORIDA ROCK INDUSTRIES, INC.
                      PROXY SOLICITED BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

       FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS CALLED FOR FEBRUARY 4, 1998


     The  undersigned  hereby  appoints Edward L. Baker and John D. Baker II, or
either of them, the attorneys,  agents and proxies of the undersigned  with full
power of  substitution  to vote all the shares of common  stock of Florida  Rock
Industries, Inc. which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting
of Shareholders of the Company to be held at the general offices of the Company,
155 East 21st Street, Jacksonville, Florida on February 4, 1998, at 9 o'clock in
the morning, and all adjournments  thereof,  with all the powers the undersigned
would possess if then and there personally present. Without limiting the general
authorization  and power hereby given, the above proxies are directed to vote as
instructed on the matters below:

1.   To amend ARTICLE VII of the Restated  Articles of  Incorporation  to reduce
     the  number of classes  of  directors  from four to three and to reduce the
     term of office from four years to three years.

     /  /  FOR          /  /  AGAINST


2.   The  election  of four  directors  to serve for a term of four years (or if
     proposal 1 is adopted, for a term of three years).

    /  / FOR the nominees listed below   / / WITHHOLD  AUTHORITY to vote for
                                             all nominees listed below 
                                             (except as marked to the
                                             contrary below)

                  Thompson S. Baker II, Albert D. Ernest, Jr.,
                  Luke E. Fichthorn III and C. J. Shepherdson

     To  withhold  authority  to vote for any  individual  nominee,  write  that
nominee's name in the space provided.



3.   To transact such other  business as may properly come before the meeting or
     any adjournments thereof.




                   (Continued and to be signed on other side)
                 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

     The undersigned  hereby revokes any proxy  heretofore given with respect to
said stock,  acknowledges  receipt of the Notice and the Proxy Statement for the
meeting  accompanying  this proxy,  each dated December __, 1997, and authorizes
and confirms all that the said proxies or their substitutes, or any of them, may
do by virtue hereof.


                                  Dated:__________________________,199___

                                  ---------------------------------------
                                                                Signature


                                  ---------------------------------------
                                                Signature if Held Jointly



                                  IMPORTANT: Please date this
                                  proxy and sign  exactly  as
                                  your    name    or    names
                                  appear(s)  hereon.  If  the
                                  stock   is  held   jointly,
                                  signatures  should  include
                                  both    names.     Personal
                                  representatives,  trustees,
                                  guardians     and    others
                                  signing in a representative
                                  capacity  should  give full
                                  title.  If you  attend  the
                                  meeting  you  may,  if  you
                                  wish,  withdraw  your proxy
                                  and vote in person.


                                       27
<PAGE>


</TABLE>


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