OWENS & MINOR INC/VA/
10-Q, 1996-11-12
MEDICAL, DENTAL & HOSPITAL EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES
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                       UNITED STATES

             SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                  WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                         FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)
[X]  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
          OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended   September 30, 1996

                OR

[  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
          OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from  _________ to                
                                                           

Commission file number              1-9810                  
                                             

                  OWENS & MINOR, INC.

  (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Virginia                                     54-1701843 
(State or other jurisdiction of              (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)               Identification No.)

4800 Cox Road, Glen Allen, Virginia          23060
(Address of principal executive offices)     (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (804)747-9794 

  (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if
changed since last report)

     Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has
filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 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  _____       

     The number of shares of Owens & Minor, Inc.'s common
stock outstanding as of October 31, 1996 was 31,905,856
shares.


                     Owens & Minor, Inc. and Subsidiaries
                           Index

Part I.   Financial Information

Consolidated Balance Sheets - September 30, 1996 and    
December 31, 1995                                       

Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three Months and
Nine Months Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995           

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine Months     
Ended September 30, 1996 and 1995                       

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements              

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial       
Condition and Results of Operations                     

Part II.  Other Information                             

Part I.  Financial Information

Item 1.  Financial Statements
Owens & Minor, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<S>                               <C>               <C>
                                  September 30,     December 31,
                                  1996              1995         
Assets                              
Current assets
  Cash and cash equivalents       $     655         $     215
  Accounts and notes 
    receivable, net                 151,452           265,238          
  Merchandise inventories           294,844           326,380
  Other current assets               18,207            32,069
  Total current assets              465,158           623,902
Property and equipment, net          30,952            39,049
Excess of purchase price 
 over net assets 
 acquired, net                      168,502           171,911
Other assets, net                    29,964            22,941
    Total assets                  $ 694,576         $ 857,803

Liabilities and
 shareholders' equity
Current liabilities
  Current maturities 
  of long-term debt               $       -         $   4,055
  Accounts payable                  205,624           241,048
  Accrued payroll and 
    related liabilities               6,465             5,534
  Other accrued liabilities          41,188            41,602
  Total current liabilities         253,277           292,239
Long-term debt                      192,689           323,308
Accrued pension and
 retirement plans                     8,398             6,985
  Total liabilities                 454,364           622,532
Shareholders' equity
  Preferred stock, par value 
   $100 per share;              
   authorized - 10,000 shares
    Series A; Participating Cumulative
      Preferred Stock;
       none issued                        -                 - 
    Series B; Cumulative 
     Preferred
      Stock; 4.5%, convertible;
      issued - 1,150 shares         115,000            115,000
  Common stock, par value 
    $2 per share;
    authorized - 200,000 shares;
       issued - 31,887 at
    September 30, 1996 and
   30,862 at December 31, 1995       63,774             61,724
  Paid-in capital                     4,971              2,144     
Retained earnings                    56,467             56,403
    Total shareholders' equity      240,212            235,271
    Total liabilities and
    shareholders  equity         $  694,576           $857,803

</TABLE>
     See accompanying notes to consolidated financial
                        statements. 

Owens & Minor, Inc. and Subsidiaries
          Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<C>                  <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>
                     Three         Three         Nine           Nine
                     Months        Months        Months         Months
                     Ended         Ended         Ended          Ended
                     Sep 30,       Sep 30,       Sep 30,        Sep 30,
                     1996          1995          1996           1995
     
Net sales            $  744,146    $  739,021    $ 2,265,396    $2,229,834
Cost of goods sold      669,660       679,655      2,042,220     2,027,059
Gross margin             74,486        59,366        223,176       202,775

Selling, general and
 administrative
 expenses                57,709        57,229        177,223       164,864
Depreciation and 
  amortization            4,016         3,833         12,017        11,062
Interest expense, net     4,283         7,128         15,057        18,249
Discount on accounts 
 receivable
 securitization           1,889             -          4,484             - 
Nonrecurring 
 restructuring
 expenses                     -         4,656              -        11,431
Total expenses           67,897        72,846         208,781      205,606

Income (loss) before
 income taxes             6,589       (13,480)         14,395       (2,831)
Income tax provision
 (benefit)                2,839        (4,879)          6,195         (531)


Net income (loss)         3,750        (8,601)          8,200       (2,300)

Dividends on preferred
 stock                    1,293         1,293           3,881        3,881

Net income (loss) 
attributable to common
stock                  $  2,457      $ (9,894)       $  4,319      $(6,181)


Net income (loss)
 per common share      $    .08      $   (.32)       $    .14       $ (.20)


Cash dividends per
 common share          $   .045      $   .045        $   .135       $  .135


Weighted average
 common shares and 
 common share
 equivalents             31,980        30,839          31,700       30,804
</TABLE>


     See accompanying notes to consolidated financial
                       statements.

                                             
           Owens & Minor, Inc. and Subsidiaries
          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                             
                             
(In thousands)
<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>         <C>
                                             Nine          Nine
                                             Months        Months
                                             Ended         Ended
                                             Sep 30,       Sep 30,
                                             1996          1995

Operating Activities                                     
Net income (loss)                            $   8,200     $   (2,300)
Adjustments to reconcile net income
 (loss) to cash provided by (used for)
 operating activities
 Depreciation and amortization                  12,017         11,062
  Provision for losses on accounts
   and notes receivable                            787            476
  Provision for LIFO reserve                     1,551          2,912
  Change in operating assets 
    and liabilities
   Accounts and notes receivable               112,999        (35,254)
   Merchandise inventories                      29,985        (15,201)
   Accounts payable                            (12,953)       (14,464)
  Net change in other current assets
   and current liabilities                      15,854        (18,732)
  Other, net                                    (2,204)          (802)
Cash provided by (used for) 
 operating activities                          166,236        (72,303)

Investing Activities
Additions to property and equipment             (4,553)        (9,890)
Additions to computer software                  (5,397)        (5,721)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment     5,372            105
Cash used for investing activities              (4,578)       (15,506)

Financing Activities
Additions to long-term debt                    150,000        122,435
Reductions of long-term debt                  (282,122)          (180)
Other short-term financing, net                (22,471)       (27,038)
Cash dividends paid                             (8,136)        (8,044)
Exercise of stock options                        1,511            344
Cash provided by (used for) financing 
 activities                                   (161,218)        87,517

Net increase (decrease) in cash 
 and cash equivalents                              440           (292)
Cash and cash equivalents at
  beginning of year                                215            513
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $     655        $   221

</TABLE>  
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial
statements.


            Owens & Minor, Inc. and Subsidiaries
         Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


1.    Accounting Policies

  In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited
  consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments
  (which are comprised only of normal recurring accruals and
  the use of estimates) necessary to present fairly the
  consolidated financial position of Owens & Minor, Inc. and
  its wholly owned subsidiaries (the Company) as of
  September 30, 1996 and the consolidated results of
  operations for the three and nine month periods and cash
  flows for the nine month periods ended September 30, 1996
  and 1995.

2.    Interim Results of Operations

  The results of operations for interim periods are not
  necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for
  the full year.

3.    Interim Gross Margin Reporting

  In general, the Company uses estimated gross margin rates
  to determine the cost of goods sold during interim
  periods.  To improve the accuracy of its estimated gross
  margins for interim reporting purposes, the Company takes
  physical inventories at selected distribution centers.
  Reported results of operations for the three and nine
  month periods ended September 30, 1996 and 1995 reflect
  the results of such inventories, if materially different. 
  Management will continue a program of interim physical
  inventories at selected distribution centers to the extent
  it deems appropriate to ensure the accuracy of interim
  reporting and to minimize year-end adjustments.

4.    Long-Term Debt and Refinancing
  
  During May 1996 the Company completed the refinancing of
  its $425 million revolving credit facility (Senior Credit
  Facility) by issuing $150 million of 10.875% Senior
  Subordinated Notes (Notes), increasing its available
  receivables financing facility (Receivables Financing
  Facility) to $150 million from $75 million and entering
  into a new $225 million revolving credit facility (New
  Senior Credit Facility).
  
  The Notes were issued on May 29, 1996, and mature on June
  1, 2006.  Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually
  on June 1 and December 1.  The Notes are redeemable at the
  Company's option subject to certain restrictions.  The
  Notes are unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and
  several basis by all direct and indirect subsidiaries of
  the Company, other than O&M Funding Corp. (OMF).

  To manage the interest rate exposure of the Notes, the
  Company entered into interest rate swap agreements with
  terms of 10 years during the second quarter of 1996. 
  Under the interest rate swap agreements, the Company pays
  the counterparties a variable rate based on the six-month
  London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) and the
  counterparties pay the Company a fixed interest rate,
  ranging from 7.29% to 7.32%.  The total notional amount of
  the interest rate swaps was $100 million at September 30,
  1996.  The Company is exposed to certain losses in the
  event of nonperformance by the counterparties to these
  agreements.  However, the Company's exposure is not
  material and nonperformance is not anticipated.

  The terms of the Receivables Financing Facility are
  substantially the same as the agreement entered into in
  December 1995 other than an increase in the available
  funds to $150 million and the extension of the term of the
  agreement from December 1996 to May 1999.  At September
  30, 1996 the Company had received approximately $133
  million under the Receivables Financing Facility.
  
  The New Senior Credit Facility expires in May 2001 with
  interest based on LIBOR or the Prime Rate.  The New Senior
  Credit Facility limits the amount of indebtedness the
  Company may incur, requires the Company to maintain
  certain financial covenants including covenants related to
  tangible net worth, cash flow coverage, current ratio,
  leverage ratio and fixed charge coverage ratio and
  restricts the ability of the Company to materially alter
  the character of the business through consolidation,
  merger or purchase or sale of assets.

5.  Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

  The following table presents condensed consolidating
  financial information for:  Owens & Minor, Inc.; on a
  combined basis, the guarantors of Owens & Minor, Inc.'s
  Notes (all of the wholly owned subsidiaries of Owens &
  Minor, Inc. except for OMF); and OMF, Owens & Minor,
  Inc.'s only non-guarantor subsidiary of the Notes. 
  Separate financial statements of the guarantor
  subsidiaries are not presented because the guarantors are
  jointly, severally and unconditionally liable under the
  guarantees and the Company believes the condensed
  consolidating financial statements are more meaningful in
  understanding the financial position of the guarantor
  subsidiaries. 

(In thousands)
As of and for the
nine months ended           
September 30, 1996
<TABLE>
<S>           <C>          <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>           
              Owens
              & Minor,     Guarantor
              Inc.         Subsidiaries OMF         Eliminations Consolidated

Current
 assets      $ 191,572     $  446,930   $  53,892   $(227,236)   $  465,158
Noncurrent
 assets        306,791        237,486           -    (314,859)      229,418
Total
 assets      $ 498,363     $  684,416    $  53,892  $(542,095)   $  694,576

Current
liabilities   $  6,261     $  436,425    $  38,451  $(227,860)    $ 253,277
Noncurrent
 liabilities   181,900         19,187            -          -       201,087
Shareholders'
 equity        310,202        228,804       15,441   (314,235)      240,212
Total 
 liabilities
 and 
shareholders' 
 equity      $ 498,363     $  684,416    $  53,892   $(542,095)    $694,576

Net sales    $  18,014     $2,265,396    $   7,911   $ (25,925)    $2,265,396
Expenses        17,937      2,258,732        7,076     (26,549)     2,257,196
Net income   $      77     $    6,664    $     835   $     624     $    8,200

</TABLE>

              
Item 2.
           Owens & Minor, Inc. and Subsidiaries
    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial 
           Condition and Results of Operations

Results of Operations
Third quarter and first nine months of 1996 compared with
1995

Net sales.  Net sales increased 0.7% to $744.1 million in the
third quarter of 1996 from $739.0 million in the third
quarter of 1995.  Net sales increased 1.6% to $2.27 billion
in the first nine months of 1996 from $2.23 billion in the
first nine months of 1995.  The Company's moderate sales
growth, which had been anticipated, has been primarily a
result of the price increases instituted in December 1995 and
the first quarter of 1996 and changes in management focus. 
Sales growth is expected to be moderate for the remainder of
1996 as the Company continues to focus on the profitability
of existing business and obtaining new business that meets
established profitability requirements.

Gross margin.  Gross margin as a percentage of net sales
increased to 10.0% in the third quarter of 1996 from 8.0% in
the third quarter of 1995, and from 8.7% in the fourth
quarter of 1995.  Gross margin as a percentage of net sales
increased to 9.9% in the first nine months of 1996 from 9.1%
in the first nine months of 1995.  The increase has been a
result of several initiatives.  As discussed above, the
Company implemented price increases for the services it
provides in December 1995 and the first quarter of 1996. 
Additionally, the Company has and continues to implement
other gross margin enhancement programs.  These enhancement
programs include:  utilizing an activity-based cost system
that charges incremental fees for additional distribution and
enhanced inventory management services, implementing supplier
partnerships that will increase margin opportunities for the
Company, the supplier and the customer and continuing to
improve the Company's utilization of technology which will
continue to reduce the cost of the order fulfillment cycle. 
The third quarter of 1995 included inventory and sales credit
reserve adjustments of approximately $3.2 million.  There can
be no assurance that the Company's pricing methods and the
other gross margin enhancement programs will produce
increases in net sales or gross margin as a percentage of net
sales in future periods.

Selling, general and administrative expenses.  Selling,
general and administrative (SG&A) expenses as a percentage of
net sales increased to 7.8% in the third quarter of 1996 from
7.7% in the third quarter of 1995 and increased to 7.8% in
the first nine months of 1996 from 7.4% in the first nine
months of 1995, but declined from 8.2% in the fourth quarter
of 1995.  The increase in SG&A expenses as a percentage of
net sales as compared to the third quarter and first nine
months of 1995 was primarily a result of increased personnel
costs incurred in connection with new contracts providing for
enhanced service levels and services not previously provided
by the Company, system conversions, opening or expanding 11
distribution centers in the second half of 1995 and
reconfiguring warehouse systems.

During the third quarter of 1996, SG&A expenses decreased
$3.3 million from 8.2% of net sales in the fourth quarter of
1995 to 7.8% in the third quarter of 1996.  The SG&A expense
decline was a result of many cost saving initiatives,
primarily the reduction of over 400 full time equivalent
employees since March 31, 1996 due to reduced overtime and
temporary help.  Also, the more cost effective utilization of
the Company's mainframe computer system lowered SG&A
expenses. The reduction in these costs has been achieved
through the completion of 22 warehouse reconfigurations in
1995, the implementation of improved inventory management
systems in a majority of its facilities and the refocus on
functional best practices within the Company. Additionally,
the implementation of the Company's restructuring plan to
further reduce distribution center costs through the closure
of two and the downsizing of five distribution centers (which
resulted in $3.5 million of the Company's nonrecurring
restructuring charges in the fourth quarter of 1995) has
contributed to the reduction of SG&A expenses.  The Company
will continue to focus on these programs through 1996 and in
future periods.  Although the Company expects these
initiatives to continue to reduce SG&A expenses, their impact
cannot be assured.

Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization
increased by 4.8% in the third quarter of 1996 compared to
the third quarter of 1995 and increased by 8.6% in the first
nine months of 1996 compared to the first nine months of
1995.  This increase was due primarily to the Company's
continued investment in improved Information Technology (IT). 
The Company anticipates similar increases in depreciation and
amortization for the remainder of 1996 associated with
additional capital investment in IT.

Interest expense, net and discount on accounts receivable
securitization (Financing Costs). Financing Costs, net of
finance charge income of $1.1 million and $1.0 million in the
third quarter of 1996 and 1995, respectively, decreased from
$7.1 million in the third quarter of 1995 to $6.2 million in
the third quarter of 1996.  The third quarter decline in
Financing Costs has been a result of the Company's ability to
reduce working capital requirements by substantially
completing the implementation of its client/server-based
forecasting system and strengthening its accounts receivable
collection procedures.  Due to this reduction in working
capital requirements, the Company has reduced outstanding
financing by approximately $57.0 million since March 31,
1996. Financing Costs, net of finance charge income of $3.5
million and $2.7 million in the first nine months of 1996 and
1995, respectively, increased from $18.2 million in the first
nine months of 1995 to $19.5 million in the first nine months
of 1996 primarily due to higher borrowing levels. The nine
month increase in Financing Costs was due to an increase in
working capital requirements arising from the Company's
system conversions and distribution center changes in the
second half of 1995.

Management has taken action to reduce Financing Costs further
by improving financing rates (as discussed below in the
liquidity section, the Company completed its refinancing plan
during the second quarter of 1996) and continuing to reduce
working capital requirements through the increased
utilization of the Company's new inventory forecasting
system, product standardization and the strengthening of its
methods of monitoring and enforcing contract payment terms.

Income taxes.  The Company had an income tax provision of
$6.2 million in the first nine months of 1996 (representing
an effective tax rate of 43.0%) compared with an income tax
benefit of $0.5 million in the first nine months of 1995.

Net income.  Net income increased $12.4 million in the third
quarter of 1996 compared to the third quarter of 1995.  Net
income increased $10.5 million in the first nine months of
1996 compared to the first nine months of 1995.  Excluding
nonrecurring restructuring expenses net of taxes, net income
increased $9.6 million in the third quarter of 1996 compared
to the third quarter of 1995 and increased $3.6 million in
the first nine months of 1996 compared to the first nine
months of 1995.  The increase is due to the impact of the
initiatives previously discussed to improve the earnings of
the Company.  Although the trend has been favorable and the
Company continues to pursue these initiatives, the impact on
net income cannot be assured.


Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity.  The Company's liquidity position improved
significantly during the first nine months of 1996 from the
fourth quarter of 1995.  The improvement was the result of
increased earnings, reduced working capital requirements and
the completion of the Company's refinancing plan in the
second quarter of 1996.

During May 1996 the Company refinanced its $425.0 million
revolving credit facility (Senior Credit Facility) by issuing
$150.0 million of 10.875% Senior Subordinated Notes (Notes),
increasing its available receivables financing facility to
$150.0 million from $75.0 million (Receivables Financing
Facility) and entering into a new $225.0 million revolving
credit facility (New Senior Credit Facility).

The Notes were issued on May 29, 1996, and mature on June 1,
2006.  Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually on June
1 and December 1.  The Notes are redeemable at the Company's
option subject to certain restrictions.  The Notes are
unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis by
all direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company, other
than O&M Funding Corp. (OMF).

During the second quarter, the Company entered into interest
rate swap agreements to convert a portion of the fixed
interest rates under the Notes to a variable rate.  Under the
swap agreements, the Company pays the counterparties a
variable rate based on the six-month London Interbank Offered
Rate (LIBOR) and the counterparties pay the Company a fixed
interest rate, ranging from 7.29% to 7.32%.  The total
notional amount of these interest rate swaps was $100.0
million at September 30, 1996.

The terms of the Receivables Financing Facility are
substantially the same as the agreement entered into in
December 1995 other than an increase in the available funds
to $150.0 million and the extension of the term of the
agreement to May 1999.  At September 30, 1996 the Company had
received $132.9 million under the Receivables Financing
Facility.  

The New Senior Credit Facility expires in May 2001 with
interest based on LIBOR or the Prime Rate.  The New Senior
Credit Facility limits the amount of indebtedness the Company
may incur, requires the Company to maintain certain financial
covenants including covenants related to tangible net worth,
cash flow coverage, current ratio, leverage ratio and fixed
charge coverage ratio and restricts the ability of the
Company to materially alter the character of the business
through consolidation, merger or purchase or sale of assets.

The Company expects that borrowings under the Notes, the New
Senior Credit Facility and proceeds from the Receivables
Financing Facility will be sufficient to fund its working
capital needs and long-term strategic growth plans, although
this cannot be assured.  Available financing at September 30,
1996 was approximately $193.1 million.

Working Capital Management.  During the first nine months of
1996 the Company has made significant improvement in working
capital management.  Inventory turnover has improved from 8.2
times in the fourth quarter of 1995 to 9.0 times in the third
quarter of 1996.  This improvement was due to the
implementation of the Company's client/server-based
forecasting system which was substantially completed by the
third quarter of 1996 and the reduction of the number of SKUs
from multiple manufacturers distributed by the Company.  The
Company has also reduced accounts receivable days sales
outstanding from 40.0 in the fourth quarter of 1995 to 36.7
in the third quarter of 1996.  This reduction has been
achieved through strengthening the Company's methods of
monitoring and enforcing contract payment terms and basing a
portion of its sales force incentives on reducing days sales
outstanding.

Capital Expenditures.  Capital expenditures were
approximately $10.0 million in the first nine months of 1996,
of which approximately $8.0 million were for computer
systems, including the continued conversion of certain
applications from a mainframe computer system to
client/server technology.  The Company expects to continue to
make this level of investment for the foreseeable future. 
These capital expenditures are expected to be funded through
cash flow from operations.

Inflation.  Inflation has not had a significant effect on the
Company's results of operations or financial condition.


Part II.  Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

In May 1994, Owens & Minor, Inc. (the Company) acquired all
the outstanding capital stock of Stuart Medical Inc. (Stuart)
through a statutory share exchange.  Accordingly, Stuart, as
a wholly-owned subsidiary of Owens & Minor, Inc., retains all
of its pre-acquisition liabilities subject to Stuart's and
Owens & Minor's contractual rights of indemnification from
the former shareholders of Stuart for certain pre-acquisition
liabilities (including liabilities arising from the spinal
implant litigation discussed below) and the liability
insurance discussed below.

Beginning in 1994 and continuing to the present, Stuart has
been named as a defendant along with product manufacturers,
healthcare providers and others in approximately 200
lawsuits, filed in various federal and state courts by
multiple plaintiffs with claims for approximately 380
different plaintiffs.  These suits allege liability for
injuries allegedly attributable to the implantation of
internal spinal fixation devices distributed by a specialty
products division of Stuart from the early 1980s through
December 1992 and prior to Owens & Minor's acquisition of
Stuart in 1994.  Not all of the plaintiffs suing Stuart were
implanted with the type of orthopedic device distributed by
Stuart; approximately 70% or more of the plaintiffs are
implanted with different manufacturers' devices, distributed
by other companies.  Most of the cases seek monetary damages
in varying amounts.  The great majority of these cases allege
compensatory and punitive damages in an unspecified amount
stated to be in excess of the jurisdictional minimum for the
courts in which such cases are filed.  A smaller group of
cases seek damages ranging from $50,000 to $15,000,000. Many
of these cases also seek the creation of a fund for medical
research, medical monitoring, prejudgment and post-judgment
interest and costs of suit.  A significant number of these
cases have been transferred to, and consolidated for pretrial
proceedings, in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in
Philadelphia under the style MDL Docket No. 1014:  In re
Orthopedic Bone Screw Products Liability Litigation. 
Although the number of lawsuits filed has been generally
stagnant over the last quarter, the Company believes that
Stuart may be named as a defendant in additional similar
lawsuits in the future as statutes of limitations approach
expiration.  

Stuart did not manufacture the internal spinal fixation
devices.  Based upon management's analysis of indemnification
agreements between Stuart and the manufacturer involved, the
Company believes that Stuart is entitled to indemnification
by the manufacturer of the devices with respect to certain of
the claims in the litigation.  The cases described above are
being defended by the manufacturer's and Stuart's respective
insurance carriers.

Owens & Minor, Inc. and Stuart are also contractually
entitled to indemnification by the former shareholders of
Stuart for any liabilities and related expenses incurred  by
Owens & Minor, Inc. or Stuart in connection with the
foregoing litigation.  Because of the preliminary status of
the lawsuits, the Company is unable at this time to determine
with certainty whether Stuart may be held liable.

The Company believes that Stuart's available insurance
coverage together with the indemnification rights discussed
above are adequate to cover any losses should they occur, and
accordingly has created no reserve therefor.  The Company is
not aware of any uncertainty as to the availability and
adequacy of such insurance or indemnification, although there
can be no assurance that the manufacturers and former
shareholders will have sufficient financial resources in the
future to meet such obligations.  The Company believes that,
with or without regard to such indemnification or insurance,
the likelihood is remote that any liability resulting from
the orthopedic bone screw litigation would have a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or
results of operations.

The Company is party to various other legal actions that are
ordinary and incidental to its business. While the outcome of
legal actions cannot be predicted with certainty, management
believes the outcome of these proceedings will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition
or results of operations. 

Item 2. Changes in Securities

On May 29, 1996, Owens & Minor, Inc. issued $150 million of
10.875% Senior Subordinated Notes.  Section 4.06 of the
Indenture governing the Notes restricts the Company's ability
to make certain payments, including the payment of dividends
on Owens & Minor, Inc.'s Common Stock.  See Section 4.06 of
the Indenture dated as of May 29, 1996 attached as Exhibit
4(a) hereto.

In addition, Section 7.12 of the Company's $225 million
revolving credit facility prohibits Owens & Minor, Inc. from
paying dividends unless it is in compliance with certain
financial covenants and is otherwise not in default either
prior to or after giving effect to any such dividend.  See
Section 7.12 of the Credit Agreement dated as of May 24, 1996
attached as Exhibit 4(b) hereto. 


Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
  
  (a)    Exhibits
     10 (e)    First Amendment to Owens & Minor, Inc.
     Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan,                     
         effective July 30, 1996.                                

  (b)  Reports on Form 8-K
     The company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K dated
     August 28, 1996, Items 5 and 7, with respect to the
     issuance of a press release relating to certain
     management changes, including the resignation and
     replacement of Owens and Minor, Inc.'s chief financial
     officer.
 


                         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.


   
                              Owens & Minor, Inc.           
                              (Registrant)


Date November 12, 1996         /s/ Ann Greer Rector 
                   
                               Ann Greer Rector
                               Senior Vice President,                     
                               Chief Financial Officer



Exhibit Index

Exhibit #
  
  10 (e) First Amendment to Owens & Minor, Inc. Supplemental
         Executive Retirement Plan,    
        effective July 30, 1996.



Exhibit 10 (e) 

          FIRST  AMENDMENT
               TO
         OWENS & MINOR, INC.

      SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN
          Effective July 30, 1996 

1. Section 1.05 of the Plan is amended by deleting "the
Compensation Committee" and inserting therefor the
Compensation and Benefits Committee.

2. Section 1.10 of the Plan is amended by inserting or C
in the second and third lines following "or B".

3. Section 1.13 of the Plan is amended by inserting and a
Schedule C Participant at the end of the second sentence.

4. Section 1.18 of the Plan is amended by deleting the
second sentence thereof.

5. A new Section 1.18a is added that reads:

   1.18a.  Schedule C Participant means a Participant who
   is listed on Schedule C of the Plan.

6. Subsection (ii) of Section 3.01 of the Plan is amended
by inserting and (z) the defined benefit pension plan(s)
benefit(s) of any other prior employer or employers at the
end of the Sub-section.

7. Subsection (ii)(y) of Section 3.02 the Plan is amended
by inserting and (z) the defined benefit pension plan(s)
benefit(s) of any other prior employer or employers at the
end of the Sub-section.      

8. Section 3.02 of the Plan is amended by inserting and
45% with respect to the Normal Retirement Allowance of a
Schedule C Participant at the end of the last sentence 
thereof.

9. Section 4.03 of the Plan is amended by inserting on
behalf of a Schedule C Participant at the end of the
Section.

With the exception of the above amendments, no other change
in the Plan is hereby made and the Plan in all other
respects is hereby ratified and confirmed.

These amendments shall take effect on the 30th day of July,
1996.
                                                                 

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1995
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1996
<CASH>                                             655
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  157,956
<ALLOWANCES>                                     6,504
<INVENTORY>                                    294,844
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               465,158
<PP&E>                                          64,696
<DEPRECIATION>                                  33,744
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 694,576
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          253,277
<BONDS>                                        192,689
                                0
                                    115,000
<COMMON>                                        63,774
<OTHER-SE>                                      61,438
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   694,576
<SALES>                                      2,265,396
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             2,265,396
<CGS>                                        2,042,220
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                2,230,673
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 4,484
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                   787
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              15,057
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 14,395
<INCOME-TAX>                                     6,195
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              8,200
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     8,200
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .14
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .14
        

</TABLE>


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