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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (date of earliest event reported):
April 21, 1997
AIRGAS, INC.
______________________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-9344 56-0732648
_______________ _______________________ _____________
(State or other (Commission File Number) (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of Identification
incorporation) No.)
259 Radnor-Chester Road, Suite 100
Radnor, PA 19087
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(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (610) 687-5253
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Item 5. Other Events.
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On April 21, 1997, Airgas, Inc. reported that its Board of Directors
authorized the repurchase of up to one million shares of Airgas, Inc. common
stock, as described in the press release attached as Exhibit 99 and
incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
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(a) None
(b) None
(c) Exhibits.
99 Press release dated April 21, 1997
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Signatures
__________
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
AIRGAS, INC.
BY: /s/ Thomas C. Deas, Jr.
___________________________
Vice President - Finance &
Chief Financial Officer
DATED: April 23, 1997
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For More Information:
James N. Borum
Jeffrey P. Cornwell
Thomas C. Deas, Jr.
(610) 687-5253
Airgas Board Authorizes Additional Repurchase of Airgas Shares
RADNOR, Pennsylvania, April 21, 1997 -Airgas, Inc.(NYSE-ARG) today announced
that its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to one million
shares of Airgas common stock, in open market transactions from time to time,
depending upon prevailing market conditions. Airgas' treasury shares will be
used to fund acquisitions and employee benefit programs. The Company has
completed the 1.6 million share repurchase authorized in December 1996. As of
March 31, 1997, there were 67.9 million shares outstanding.
Airgas is the largest distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases
and related equipment in North America with annual sales in excess of $1.2
billion. Its distributor network includes over 600 locations in 41 states,
Canada and Mexico. Airgas can be visited via the Internet at
http://www.airgas.com.
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