INVACARE CORP
10-Q, 1997-11-14
ORTHOPEDIC, PROSTHETIC & SURGICAL APPLIANCES & SUPPLIES
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<PAGE>
                                       1
                                           
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM 10-Q
                   QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


For the Quarter Ended              September 30, 1997
                      ----------------------------------------

                         Commission File Number 0-12938
                         ------------------------------

                              Invacare Corporation
                              --------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

       Ohio                                               95-2680965
- - -------------------------------                --------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                (IRS Employer Identification No)
incorporation or organization)

               One Invacare Way, P.O. Box 4028, Elyria, Ohio 44036
               ---------------------------------------------------
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                                 (216) 329-6000
                                 --------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

             899 Cleveland Street, P.O. Box 4028, Elyria, Ohio 44036
             -------------------------------------------------------
      (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if change
             since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed  by  Section  12 or 15 (d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter  period that the  registrant
was  required  to file such  reports),  and (2) has been  subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No____

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the latest practical date:

As of November 12, 1997 the company had  28,242,472  Common Shares and 1,437,467
Class B Common Shares outstanding.








<PAGE>
                                       2

                              INVACARE CORPORATION

                                      INDEX


Part I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION:                                        Page No.

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

         Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet -

                  September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996....................3

         Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings -

                  Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996.....4

         Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows -

                  Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997 and 1996...............5

         Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial

                  Statements - September 30, 1997.............................6

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of

                  Financial Condition and Results of Operations...............7

Part II.  OTHER INFORMATION:

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K....................................12

SIGNATURES...................................................................12



<PAGE>
                                       3

Part I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.           Financial Statements
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                      INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
               Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet - (unaudited)
                                                                                   September 30,           December 31,
                                                                                            1997                   1996
                                                                                   -------------           ------------
ASSETS                                                                                          (In thousands)
<S>                                                                                   <C>                     <C>
CURRENT ASSETS
         Cash and cash equivalents                                                     $   5,427              $   4,431
         Marketable securities                                                             3,141                  3,569
         Trade receivables, net                                                          108,384                105,432
         Installment receivables, net                                                     51,004                 51,995
         Inventories                                                                      66,642                 78,934
         Deferred income taxes                                                            21,873                  7,181
         Other current assets                                                              6,625                  7,178
                                                                                        --------                -------
                  TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                                                   263,096                258,720

OTHER ASSETS                                                                              51,776                 49,459
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET                                                               78,115                 77,830
GOODWILL, NET                                                                            110,698                123,619
                                                                                        --------               --------
                  TOTAL ASSETS                                                          $503,685               $509,628
                                                                                        ========               ========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
         Accounts payable                                                              $  45,726              $  40,723
         Accrued expenses                                                                 72,644                 50,900
         Accrued income taxes                                                              2,457                  1,563
         Current maturities of long-term obligations                                       4,667                  4,582
                                                                                         -------                 ------
                  TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                                              125,494                 97,768

LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS                                                                    163,900                173,263

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES                                                                     (7,528)                     0

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
         Preferred shares                                                                      0                      0
         Common shares                                                                     7,154                  7,103
         Class B common shares                                                               359                    360
         Additional paid-in-capital                                                       73,823                 71,143
         Retained earnings                                                               155,448                167,561
         Adjustment to shareholders' equity                                               (7,742)                 (833)
         Treasury shares                                                                  (7,223)               (6,737)
                                                                                         -------                -------
                  TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                                             221,819                238,597
                                                                                        --------                -------

                  TOTAL LIABILITIES
                     AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                                           $503,685               $509,628
                                                                                        ========               ========
</TABLE>
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>
                                       4
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                         Condensed Consolidated Statement of Earnings - (unaudited)

                                                                   Three Months Ended                 Nine Months Ended
                                                                       September 30,                      September 30,
                                                                     1997         1996            1997             1996
                                                                            (In thousands, except per share data)
                                                                   -----------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>           <C>            <C>             <C>
Net sales                                                          $166,144      $158,146       $482,660        $451,776

Cost of products sold                                               113,685       104,942        334,495         305,590
                                                                   ----------------------        -----------------------

    GROSS PROFIT                                                     52,459        53,204        148,165         146,186

Selling, general and administrative expenses                         34,234        35,181        100,143         101,243
Non-recurring unusual charge                                         61,100                       61,100               -
                                                                   -----------------------       -----------------------
                                                                                       

    INCOME FROM OPERATIONS                                          (42,875)        18,023       (13,078)         44,943

Net interest income (expense)                                          (763)         (577)        (2,313)        (1,662)
                                                                   -----------------------       -----------------------
                                                                       


    EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES                                    (43,638)       17,446        (15,391)         43,281

Income taxes                                                        (15,390)        6,800         (4,380)         16,875
                                                                   -----------------------       -----------------------

    NET EARNINGS                                                   $(28,248)     $ 10,646       $(11,011)       $ 26,406
                                                                   =======================       =======================


    NET EARNINGS PER SHARE                                         $   (.93)     $    .35       $   (.36)       $    .87
                                                                   =======================       =======================

     DIVIDEND DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE                            $   .0125     $   .0125      $  .0375        $  .0375
                                                                   =======================       =======================

     WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING                             30,362        30,453         30,355          30,387
                                                                   =================== ==        =======================
</TABLE>

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


<PAGE>
                                       5

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                      INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
          Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - (unaudited)
                                                                                                   Nine Months Ended
                                                                                                       September 30,
                                                                                                    1997          1996
                                                                                                    ----          ----
 OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                                                                  (In thousands)
<S>                                                                                               <C>              <C>
          Net earnings                                                                            $(11,011)        $26,406
          Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
               net cash required by operating activities:
               Non-recurring unusual charge                                                         38,900               0
               Depreciation and amortization                                                        13,813          13,220
               Provision for losses on receivables                                                   2,018           1,507
               Provision for deferred income taxes                                                    (170)           (341)
               Provision for other deferred liabilities                                              2,242           1,954
          Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               Trade receivables                                                                   (10,249)            980
               Inventories                                                                           4,582         (16,607)
               Other current assets                                                                   (390)          1,535
               Accounts payable                                                                      6,367           4,884
               Accrued expenses                                                                     (5,311)         (6,517)
                                                                                                  ---------        --------
                   NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                        40,791          27,021

 INVESTING ACTIVITIES
          Purchases of property and equipment                                                      (26,698)        (15,689)
          Proceeds from sale of property and equipment                                                 331             102
          Installment sales contracts written                                                      (54,299)        (46,062)
          Payments received on installment sales contracts                                          48,563          34,779
          Marketable securities purchased                                                           (3,529)         (1,153)
          Marketable securities sold                                                                 3,990             175
          Increase in other investments                                                              4,636          (3,734)
             Increase in other long term assets                                                     (6,684)         (2,616)
             Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired                                            (1,938)        (24,860)
          Other                                                                                       (415)         (1,472)
                                                                                                  ---------        --------
               NET CASH REQUIRED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                           (36,043)        (60,530)

 FINANCING ACTIVITIES
          Proceeds from revolving lines of credit and long-term borrowings                          37,855          73,175
          Principal payments on revolving lines of credit, long-term debt
                and capital lease obligations                                                      (42,877)        (38,717)
             Proceeds from exercise of stock options                                                 2,607           3,522
          Dividends paid                                                                            (1,102)         (1,093)
          Purchase of treasury stock                                                                     0          (2,250)
                                                                                                  ---------        --------
                                                                                            
                       NET CASH (REQUIRED)/PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES
                                                                                                    (3,517)         34,637
 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash                                                              (235)           (209)
                                                                                                 ----------        --------
 Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                                      996             919
 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                                                    4,431           4,132
                                                                                                 ----------         -------
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                                       $  5,427        $  5,051
                                                                                                 ==========        =======
</TABLE>

 See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


<PAGE>
                                       6


                      INVACARE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         Notes to Condensed Consolidated
                              Financial Statements
                                   (Unaudited)


Nature  of  Operations  --  Invacare   Corporation  and  its  subsidiaries  (the
"company") is the leading home medical equipment manufacturer in the world based
on its  distribution  channels,  the breadth of its product line and sales.  The
company  designs,  manufactures  and  distributes  an extensive  line of medical
equipment  for the home health care and extended  care  markets.  The  company's
products  include  standard  manual   wheelchairs,   motorized  and  lightweight
prescription  wheelchairs,  motorized  scooters,  patient  aids,  home  care and
institutional beds, low air loss therapy products, home respiratory,  ambulatory
infusion pumps and seating and positioning products.

Principles of Consolidation  -- In the opinion of the company,  the accompanying
unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance
with generally accepted  accounting  principles which require management to make
estimates  and  assumptions  that affect the amounts  reported in the  financial
statements.  Actual results may differ from these  estimates.  The  accompanying
financial  statements include all adjustments,  which were of a normal recurring
nature,  necessary to present fairly the financial position of the company as of
September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996,  and the results of its operations for
the three and nine months ended  September  30, 1997 and 1996 and changes in its
cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 1997 and 1996. The results of
operations  for the three and nine months  ended  September  30,  1997,  are not
necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Certain  information  and footnote  disclosures  normally  included in financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting  principles
have been  condensed  or omitted  pursuant to the rules and  regulations  of the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission.  These  condensed  consolidated  financial
statements  should  be read  in  conjunction  with  the  consolidated  financial
statements contained in the company's annual financial statements and notes.

Certain  reclassifications  have  been  made to the  prior  years'  consolidated
financial  statements to conform to the  presentation  used for the period ended
September 30, 1997.

Earnings Per Share of Common Stock -- In February 1997, the Financial Accounting
Standards  Board  issued SFAS No. 128  "Earnings  Per  Share." The new  standard
applies  to  entities  with  publicly  held  common  stock and  requires  a dual
presentation  of basic and diluted EPS on the face of the income  statement  for
all entities with complex  capital  structures.  In addition,  disclosure of the
reconciliation  of the  numerator and  denominator  used in the  computation  of
diluted EPS is required.  Primary EPS will be  simplified  and replaced by basic
EPS, which is computed by dividing  income  available to common  stockholders by
the  weighted-average  number of common shares outstanding for the period. Fully
diluted EPS has not been changed  significantly and will be renamed diluted EPS.
The standard is effective  for  financial  statements  issued for periods  after
December 15, 1997,  and requires  restatement  of all prior EPS data  presented.
Application  of the standard is expected to cause an increase in reported  basic
EPS over  amounts  reported  as primary  EPS,  however  the  company has not yet
determined the impact of this standard on the consolidated financial statements.

<PAGE>
                                       7

Statement of Cash Flows -- The company made payments (in thousands) of 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                  Nine Months Ended
                                                                                     September 30,
                                                                            1997                    1996
                                                                          ------------------------------
         <S>                                                              <C>                     <C>
         Interest                                                         $8,559                  $7,462
         Income Taxes                                                     17,522                  21,330
</TABLE>

Inventories -- Inventories consist of the following components (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   September 30,            December 31,
                                                                            1997                    1996
                                                                   --------------------------------------
         <S>                                                        <C>                         <C>
         Raw materials                                              $ 20,044                    $ 25,137
         Work in process                                              10,346                      12,022
         Finished goods                                               36,252                      41,775
                                                                   -------------------------------------
                                                                       $ 66,642                 $ 78,934
                                                                   =====================================
</TABLE>


The inventory determination under the LIFO method can only be made at the end of
each  fiscal  year  based  on the  inventory  levels  and  cost at  that  point,
therefore,  interim LIFO  determinations are based on management's  estimates of
expected year-end inventory levels and costs.

Property and  Equipment -- Property and  equipment  consist of the following (in
thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   September 30,            December 31,
                                                                            1997                    1996
                                                                   -------------------------------------
         <S>                                                           <C>                     <C>
         Land, buildings and improvements                              $  33,655               $  35,779
         Machinery and equipment                                         105,435                 104,297
         Furniture and fixtures                                            9,936                  10,693
         Leasehold improvements                                       6,883                        7,330
                                                                   -------------------------------------
                                                                         155,909                 158,099
         Less allowance for depreciation                                 (77,794)                (80,269)
                                                                   -------------------------------------
                                                                     $   78,115               $   77,830
                                                                   =====================================
</TABLE>

     Item 2.  Management's  Discussion  and Analysis of Financial  Condition and
Results of Operations

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

NET SALES

Net sales for the three and nine months ended  September  30, 1997  increased by
5.1% and 6.8%,  respectively,  over the same period a year ago. For the quarter,
acquisitions  accounted  for 1.0% of the  increase  while  currency  translation
negatively impacted sales by 2.9%. Year to date,  acquisitions  contributed 3.2%
with foreign  currency  having a 2.0% negative  impact.  Sales for the three and
nine months ended  September 30, 1997 were also  negatively  impacted by reduced
sales to the Company's largest customer. The reduction in sales to this customer
impacted  reported sales growth by  approximately  4.0% for both the quarter and
year to date.

<PAGE>
                                       8

Power and personal care posted the largest increases for the quarter and year to
date.  Sales  increased  principally  due to higher  unit  volumes.  The  volume
increases  were  offset  by the  effects  of a  continuing  competitive  pricing
environment primarily in the Respiratory Product Group.

North American Operations

Rehab Products Group.  Sales of the Rehab Products Group,  which consists of the
power  wheelchairs,  custom  manual  wheelchairs  and  seating  and  positioning
business units,  increased  18.9% for the quarter.  The increase was primarily a
result of  continued  strong  volume  growth in low end power chairs and scooter
products,  offset by competitive  pricing in the low end product lines.  Year to
date, Rehab group sales increased 16.0%.

Standard Products Group. Sales of the Standard Products Group, which consists of
the manual  wheelchairs,  patient  transport,  personal care, beds, low air loss
therapy,  Invacare Health Care Furnishings and retail business units,  increased
7.4%,  including  an impact  of 2.4%  which  resulted  from the  acquisition  of
Silcraft,  a  bathing  equipment  and  patient  lift  manufacturer.  The  manual
wheelchairs,  patient  transport,  personal care,  beds and low air loss therapy
product  lines each posted sales  increases,  with  personal  care sales showing
significant volume gains. Year to date,  Standard Products Group sales increased
10%.

Respiratory  Products  Group.  Sales of the Respiratory  Products  Group,  which
consists  of  the  oxygen  concentrator,  liquid  oxygen,  aerosol  therapy  and
associated  respiratory products business units,  increased 7.4% for the quarter
and were up 1% for the nine months ended  September 30, 1997. The quarter growth
was a result of volume  increases  in oxygen  concentrator  and aerosol  therapy
offset by  continued  pricing  pressure across the  majority of the  respiratory
product lines.

In August of the third  quarter,  the  Balanced  Budget  Act of 1997 was  passed
finalizing a 25% cut for oxygen reimbursement  effective January 1, 1998 with an
additional 5% effective  January 1, 1999.  The  uncertainty  which preceded this
announcement adversely impacted sales for the quarter and year to date.

Other. Other, consisting primarily of the company's Canadian, Australian and New
Zealand operations, aftermarket parts business and ambulatory infusion pumps had
a 2.2% sales  increase.  Canada  continues  to show solid  growth as a result of
strong power,  standard wheelchairs and respiratory product sales. For the first
nine  months  sales for this  group  increased  14.8%  with  10.3%  coming  from
acquisitions.

European Operations

European  sales  increased  2.6%,  excluding  the negative  impact of 11.5% from
foreign  currency  translation.  In the first  nine  months,  sales  for  Europe
increased  1.8%  excluding  the negative  impact of 8.9% from foreign  currency.
Sales  continue to be  negatively  impacted  by market  pressures  from  reduced
government spending, especially in Germany.



<PAGE>
                                       9

GROSS PROFIT

Gross profit as a percentage  of net sales for the three and nine month  periods
ending September 30, 1997 was 31.6% and 30.7%,  respectively,  compared to 33.6%
and 32.4% for the same periods last year. Margins for North American  operations
declined  primarily as a result of increased freight costs and continued pricing
pressure.  European  gross  margins  decreased  as a  result  of  overall  price
declines,  mix changes in products  sold and the  continued  effects of a strong
U.S.dollar.

SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

Selling, general and administrative expense as a percentage of net sales for the
three  and  nine  months  ending   September  30,  1997  was  20.6%  and  20.7%,
respectively,  compared to 22.2% and 22.4% in the same  periods a year ago.  The
overall  dollar  decrease was $947,000,  (2.7%) for the quarter and  $1,100,000,
(1.1%) for the nine months, despite acquisitions which contributed 1.5% and 3.9%
in spending for the same periods.  Continued strategic cost reduction activities
across  all areas of the  business  contributed  to the  reduction  in  selling,
general and administrative expenses.

North American selling,  general and administrative  costs as a percent to sales
grew at a slower  rate than  sales for the  quarter  and year to date.  European
operations'  selling,  general and administrative  expenses,  as a percentage of
sales also decrease as continued focus on cost reduction  efforts along with the
effects of foreign currency translation took effect.

NON-RECURRING UNUSUAL CHARGE

In the third quarter the company reported a non-recurring and unusual charge for
the  acceleration of certain  strategic  initiatives and other items. The charge
was  $61,100,000  ($38,900,000  after  tax)  and  included  $34,600,000  for the
acceleration of global manufacturing facility consolidations and the elimination
of certain  non-strategic  product  lines,  $9,500,000  for certain  accelerated
global systems'  initiatives  including year 2000 compliance,  $6,000,000 for an
increase in the  company's bad debt reserve to more  conservatively  provide for
the  increased   provider  credit  risk  caused  by  recently  enacted  Medicare
reimbursement  cuts and  $11,000,000  for asset  write-downs  and an increase in
reserves for litigation.

INTEREST

Interest  income in the three  and nine  months  ended  September  30,  1997 was
consistent  with the same periods a year ago as increased  volume in installment
loans were offset by an overall decline in the  portfolio's  effective rate. For
the quarter,  interest  expense  remained  flat with the same period a year ago.
Interest  expense  in the first  nine  months  increased  due to higher  average
outstanding  borrowings in the first quarter of 1997 compared to the same period
a year ago.

<PAGE>
                                       10

INCOME TAXES

The  company  had an  effective  tax rate  benefit  for the three and nine month
periods ended September 30, 1997, of (35.3%) and (28.5%) respectively,  compared
to a 39.0%  effective  tax rate charge  during the same  periods a year ago. The
1997 reduced benefit is principally due to the write-off certain  non-deductible
items, including goodwill, as part of the non-recurring and unusual charge taken
during the quarter.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The  company's  reported  overall  level  of  long-term   obligations  decreased
$9,000,000 to  $164,000,000  for the nine months ended  September 30, 1997. Long
term debt declined as a result of strong  operating  cash flow and the impact of
foreign  currency  translation  on the amount of debt  reported in dollars.  The
company continues to maintain an adequate liquidity position to fund its working
capital and capital  requirements  through its cash flow from operations and its
bank lines. As of September 30, 1997, the company had approximately $310,000,000
available under its lines of credit.  Pursuant to the most restrictive  covenant
of its debt arrangements the company could borrow an additional $401,000,000.

During the three month period ended September 30, 1997, the company entered into
two interest rate swap agreements  effectively  exchanging a short-term floating
interest  rate for a fixed rate. In July,  1997,  the company fixed the interest
rate on FRF 50,000,000 of its French franc borrowings at 4.1400%.  In September,
1997,  the company  fixed the interest  rate on NZD 7,500,000 of its New Zealand
dollar  borrowings at 7.3000%.  The swap  agreements  have a three and five year
term of expiration, respectively.

The company's financing  arrangements  require it to maintain certain conditions
with respect to net worth,  working capital,  funded debt to capitalization  and
interest  coverage as  defined.  The  company is in  compliance  with all of the
conditions.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

There  were  no  material  capital  expenditure  commitments  outstanding  as of
September 30, 1997. The company estimates that capital investments for 1997 will
approximate $35-$40 million.  The increase in spending is due principally to the
construction  of a  new  corporate  headquarters  building  and  the  continuing
implementation  of a worldwide  facilities  plan. The company  believes that its
balances  of cash and cash  equivalents,  together  with  funds  generated  from
operations  and existing  borrowing  facilities  will be  sufficient to meet its
operating  cash  requirements  and fund required  capital  expenditures  for the
foreseeable future.



<PAGE>
                                       11

ACQUISITIONS

In  October,  1997 the  company  acquired  for cash the stock of Allied  Medical
Supply  Corporation,  a distributor of soft goods and disposable  products.  The
acquisition  marks  Invacare's  entry into the  medical  supplies  business  and
further strengthens its  industry-leading  "one stop shopping" strategy.  Allied
Medical Supply will become part of the company's standard products group.

In  January,  1997 the  company  commenced  a cash  tender  offer for all of the
outstanding  shares  of  common  stock  of  Healthdyne  Technologies,  Inc.  The
company's most recent offer expired  August 1, 1997.  Prior to the expiration of
the offer,  the company  held  approximately  4.8% of  Healthdyne's  outstanding
stock.  The company  has  subsequently  sold all but 1,000  shares of the common
stock of Healthdyne Technologies.  The gain on the sale of the Healthdyne shares
was offset by the costs  associated with the Healthdyne  tender offer initiative
and did not have a material impact on reported  results for the third quarter of
1997.

CASH FLOWS

Cash  flows  provided  by  operating  activities  were $40.8  million  for  the
first nine months of 1997  compared to $27 million in 1996.  The  improved  1997
cash flows provided by operating  activities resulted  from improved income from
operations,exclusive of the non-recurring unusual charge,and decreased inventory
levels,   as  continued   focus  on  inventory   management   initiatives   have
proven effective. The improve cash flow was offset to some extent by an increase
in trade  receivables.  As of  September  30,  1997,  there has been no  charges
against the non-recurring unusual charge taken during the third quarter.

Cash flows required for  investing  activities  decreased by $24.5  million  for
the  first  nine  months  of 1997 when  compared  to 1996  mainly as a result of
reduced acquisition activity in 1997 and decreased net installment  receivables.
The decrease was offset by an increase in investment of capital.

Cash flows required by financing activities were $3.5 million for the first nine
months of 1997 as compared to the $34.6 million  provided in 1996.  The decrease
in cash provided by financing  activities  was primarily a result of a reduction
in net proceeds from long-term  borrowings which were used to fund  acquisitions
in the prior year.

The effect of foreign currency translation may result in amounts being shown for
cash flows in the  Consolidated  Statement of Cash Flows that are different from
the changes reflected in the respective balance sheet captions.

DIVIDEND POLICY

On August 15, 1997, the Board of Directors for Invacare  Corporation  declared a
quarterly cash dividend of $.0125 per Common Share to  shareholders of record as
of October 1, 1997,  to be paid on October 15, 1997.  At the current  rate,  the
cash dividend will amount to $.05 per Common Share on an annual basis.



<PAGE>
                                       12

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The statements contained in this form 10-Q constitute forward-looking statements
based on  current  expectations  which  are  covered  under  the  "safe  harbor"
provision within the Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of 1995. Actual
results and events,  including the acceleration of certain strategic initiatives
for which a  non-recurring  charge  has been  reported,  may  differ  from those
anticipated as a result of risks and  uncertainties  which include,  but are not
limited to, pricing pressures as a result of the impact of the consolidations of
health care customers and competitors, the availability of strategic acquisition
candidates and Invacare's ability to effectively  integrate acquired  companies,
and the overall economic,  market and industry conditions,  as well as the risks
described  from time to time in Invacare's  reports as filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

         A        Exhibits:
                  Official Exhibit No.
                  27       Financial Data Schedule

         B        Reports on Form 8-K:   None


                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                                       INVACARE CORPORATION


                                                       By: /S/ Thomas R.Miklich
                                                       ------------------------
                                                       Chief Financial Officer 

Date:  November 14, 1997



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