VITAL SIGNS INC
10-Q, 1997-05-15
SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS
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                       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 March 31, 1997 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:  0-18793

                                VITAL SIGNS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          New Jersey                                         11-2279807
    (State or other jurisdiction of                       (I.R.S. Employer
     Incorporation or organization)                       Identification No.)

                                 20 Campus Road
                            Totowa, New Jersey 07512
           (Address of principal executive office, including zip code)

                                  201-790-1330
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


_______________________________________________________________________________
      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 __

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

     At May 1, 1997, there were 12,989,207 shares of Common Stock, no par value,
outstanding.




<PAGE>



                                                 VITAL SIGNS, INC.

                                                       INDEX


                                                                    Page
                                                                   Number

Part I.           Financial Information                               1

     Item 1.      Financial Statements

                  Consolidated Balance Sheet as of
                  March 31, 1997 (Unaudited) and
                  September 30, 1996                                  2

                  Consolidated Statement of Income
                  for the Six Months Ended
                  March 31, 1997 and 1996 (Unaudited)                 3

                  Consolidated Statement of Income for
                  the Three Months ended
                  March 31, 1997 and 1996 (Unaudited)                 4

                  Consolidated Statement of Cash
                  Flows for the Six Months Ended
                  March 31, 1997 and 1996 (Unaudited)                 5

                  Notes to Consolidated Financial
                  Statements (Unaudited)                              6


     Item 2.      Management's Discussion and Analysis
                  of Financial Condition and Results of
                  Operations                                         7-10

Part II.

     Item 1.      Legal Proceedings                                  11

     Item 6.      Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                   11


     Signatures                                                      12




<PAGE>




PART I.      Financial Information


     Item 1.    Financial Statements


     Certain  information  and footnote  disclosures  required  under  generally
accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted from the following
consolidated  financial  statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange  Commission.  Vital Signs, Inc. (the "registrant" or the
"Company" or "Vital Signs") believes that the disclosures are adequate to assure
that the information  presented is not misleading in any material respect. It is
suggested  that  the  following  consolidated  financial  statements  be read in
conjunction  with the  year-end  consolidated  financial  statements  and  notes
thereto  included in the  registrant's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended September 30, 1996.

     The results of operations for the interim periods  presented herein are not
necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire fiscal year.

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                       VITAL SIGNS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

                                                                          March 31, 1997             September 30, 1996
                                                                          --------------             ------------------
                                                                                          (In Thousands)

                                     ASSETS
                                                                             (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                         <C>                        <C>
Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                                                 $   15,326                 $   17,747
  Marketable securities                                                          1,984                        602
  Accounts receivable, less allowance for
    doubtful accounts of $137 and $169, respectively                            15,088                     13,887
  Inventory                                                                     15,154                     13,013
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                      8,398                      8,279
                                                                            ----------                 ----------
        Total Current Assets                                                    55,950                     53,528

  Property, Plant and Equipment - net                                           24,629                     21,131
  Marketable Securities                                                         27,931                     28,187
  Goodwill                                                                      16,412                     16,619
  Other Assets                                                                   4,031                      4,291
                                                                          ------------               ------------
     Total Assets                                                          $   128,953               $    123,756
                                                                          -===========               ============


                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
  Accounts payable                                                        $      3,626               $      4,066
  Current portion of long-term debt                                                200                        500
  Accrued expenses                                                               2,165                      2,406
  Amounts payable relating to acquisitions                                         275                        236
  Deferred income taxes payable                                                  1,240                      1,500
                                                                          ------------               ------------
        Total Current Liabilities                                                7,506                      8,708

  Deferred Income Taxes Payable                                                  1,270                      1,334
  Long-term debt                                                                 2,500                      2,700
  Other                                                                            656                        775
                                                                          ------------               ------------
        Total Liabilities                                                       11,932                     13,517
                                                                          ------------               ------------

Commitments and Contingencies

  Stockholders' Equity
      Common stock - no par value:
      authorized 40,000,000 shares, issued
      12,989,207 and 13,062,701 shares, respectively                            27,833                     29,666
  Allowance for aggregate unrealized loss
    on marketable securities                                                      (409)                      (426)
  Retained earnings                                                             89,597                     80,999
                                                                          ------------               ------------
        Stockholders' Equity                                                   117,021                    110,239
                                                                          ------------               ------------
  Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity                              $    128,953               $    123,756
                                                                          ============               ============

                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
</TABLE>


<PAGE>



                       VITAL SIGNS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

                                   (Unaudited)

                                         For the Six Months Ended March 31,
                                               1997                  1996
                                       (In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)


Net sales - continuing product lines     $    46,675             $    44,311
Net sales - product line disposed               ---                      808
                                         -----------             -----------
Net sales - total                             46,675                  45,119

Cost of goods sold                            20,266                  19,342
                                         -----------             -----------

Gross profit                                  26,409                  25,777
                                         -----------             -----------

Operating expenses:
  Selling, general and administrative         11,607                  11,368
  Research and development                     1,807                   1,775
  Interest income                             (1,234)                 (1,266)
  Interest expense                               139                     168
  Other income, net                             (510)                   (765)
  Goodwill amortization                          287                     270
                                         -----------              ----------


Income before provision for income taxes      14,313                  14,227

Provision for income taxes                     4,664                   5,032
                                         -----------              ----------

Net income                               $     9,649              $    9,195
                                         ===========              ==========

Net income per share                     $       .74              $      .71
                                         ===========              ==========

Weighted average number of shares             13,010                  13,026
                                         ===========              ==========


                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


<PAGE>



                       VITAL SIGNS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

                                   (Unaudited)

                                           For the Three Months Ended March 31,
                                               1997                      1996
                                         (In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)


Net sales - continuing product lines        $  23,845               $    22,596
Net sales - product line disposed                 ---                       406
                                            ---------               -----------
Net sales - total                              23,845                    23,002

Cost of goods sold                             10,413                     9,877
                                            ---------               -----------

Gross profit                                   13,432                    13,125
                                            ---------               -----------

Operating expenses:
  Selling, general and administrative           5,841                     5,782
  Research and development                        891                       829
  Interest income                                (608)                     (572)
  Interest expense                                 76                        83
  Other expense (income), net                     155                      (370)
  Goodwill amortization                           151                       141
                                             --------               -----------


Income before provision for income taxes        6,926                     7,232

Provision for income taxes                      2,179                     2,583
                                             --------               -----------

Net income                                $     4,747               $     4,649
                                          ===========               ===========

Net income per share                      $       .37               $       .36
                                          ===========               ===========

Weighted average number of shares              12,984                    13,043
                                          ===========               ===========

                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
                       VITAL SIGNS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)
<CAPTION>

                                                                               For the Six Months Ended March  31,
                                                                                  1997                      1996
                                                                                          (In Thousands)
<S>                                                                         <C>                             <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
   Net Income                                                                $     9,649                    $  9,195
   Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to
      Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:
         Depreciation and amortization                                             1,101                         794
         Deferred income taxes                                                      (324)                         (7)
         Amortization of goodwill                                                    287                         270
         Amortization of deferred credit                                             (50)                        (50)
         Net gain on sales of available for sale securities                         (759)                        277
         Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
            (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable                            (1,201)                      1,981
            (Increase) in inventory                                               (2,141)                        (71)
            (Increase)decrease in prepaid expenses and
              other current assets                                                  (119)                      1,482
            (Decrease) in accounts payable
              and accrued expenses                                                  (681)                     (2,270)
            Decrease (increase) in other assets                                      230                        (445)
                                                                               ----------                    --------
            Net cash provided by operating activities                              5,992                      11,156
                                                                               ----------                    --------

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
   Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale
      securities.                                                                  7,409                      49,938
   Purchases of available-for-sale securities                                     (7,759)                    (42,878)
   Acquisition of property, plant and equipment                                   (4,599)                     (1,938)
   Payment for purchase of subsidiaries net of
      cash acquired                                                                  (80)                     (5,435)
   Assets held for sale                                                              ---                      (2,750)
                                                                             -----------                 ------------
            Net cash used in investing activities                                 (5,029)                     (3,063)
                                                                             ------------                -------------

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
   Net reissuance (purchase) of treasury stock                                    (2,077)                        160
   Dividends paid                                                                 (1,045)                       (781)
   Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants                              238                         621
   Principal payments of long-term debt and
      notes payable                                                                 (500)                     (1,011)
                                                                             ------------                ------------
         Net cash used in financing activities                                    (3,384)                     (1,011)
                                                                             ------------                ------------

   Net decrease (increase) in cash and cash equivalents                           (2,421)                      7,082
   Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period                               17,747                       8,334
                                                                             -----------                 -----------
   Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                $    15,326                 $    15,416
                                                                             ===========                 ===========

Supplemental  disclosures  of cash flow  information:  
   Cash paid  during the six months for:
      Interest                                                               $       133                 $       152
      Income taxes                                                                 6,359                       4,309
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing activities:
   Accrued amounts relating to purchase of subsidiaries                      $       ---                 $       125

                 See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

</TABLE>

<PAGE>




                       VITAL SIGNS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)



1.     The  consolidated  balance sheet as of March 31, 1997,  the  consolidated
       statements  of income for the three and six months  ended  March 31, 1997
       and 1996 and the consolidated  statement of cash flows for the six months
       ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 have been  prepared  by Vital  Signs,  Inc.
       (the "Company" or "VSI") and are unaudited. In the opinion of management,
       all  adjustments  (consisting  solely  of normal  recurring  adjustments)
       necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations
       and cash flows at March 31, 1997 and 1996 and for all  periods  presented
       have been made.

2.     Earnings per share are  computed  using the  weighted  average  number of
       common shares  outstanding  during the period.  The dilutive effect of
       common stock equivalents is not material. The Company will be required to
       adopt  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards #128 - "Earnings Per
       Share" in the  quarter  ending  December  31,  1997.  The  affect of this
       adoption is not expected to be significant to the Consolidated  Financial
       Statements.

3.     See the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September
       30, 1996 (the "Form  10-K") for  additional  disclosures  relating to the
       Company's financial statements.

4.     On March 14, 1997,  Vital Signs,  Inc. (the "Company")  announced that it
       has entered into a definitive merger agreement  providing for the Company
       to acquire  Marquest Medical  Products,  Inc.  ("Marquest"),  which would
       become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.  Separately, the Company
       entered into an  agreement  with Scherer  Healthcare,  Inc.  ("Scherer"),
       which is the  majority  shareholder  of Marquest,  to acquire,  for cash,
       certain  product  rights  previously  sold by Marquest  to  Scherer.  The
       Company also entered into  inducement  agreements with Scherer and Robert
       Scherer,   Scherer's  principal   shareholder,  in  connection  with  the
       commitment of Scherer and Robert Scherer to vote their shares in favor of
       the transaction. The agreements are subject to the approval of Marquest's
       and Scherer's shareholders. As a result of these transactions the Company
       will pay  approximately  $18.5  million  and  assume  Marquest's  debt of
       approximately  $5  million.  See Form 8-K  filed  on March  19,  1997 for
       additional information.



<PAGE>



                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

Introduction

        The Company disposed of its endoscopic  product line during Fiscal 1996.
See Item 6 of the  Company's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K  for the year  ended
September  30, 1996.  In its analysis of the  Company's  results of  operations,
management  views net sales from continuing  product lines (i.e.,  excluding the
revenues derived from its endoscopic  product line) as the relevant revenue base
from which to make analytic  comparisons.  Since the expenses of the  endoscopic
product line were not material to the Company's  results of  operations  and did
not  vary  substantially  prior to the  discontinuation  of that  product  line,
management's  analysis below includes  within all line items,  other than sales,
the results of operations of both the Company's continuing product lines and the
Company's discontinued endoscopic product line.

Results of Operations

The  following  table sets forth,  for the  periods  indicated,  the  percentage
increase  (decrease)  of certain items  included in the  Company's  consolidated
statement of income.

<TABLE>

                                                                Increase/(Decrease) From
                                                                   Prior Period

<CAPTION>
                                                     Six Months Ended                  Three Months Ended
                                                     March 31, 1997 compared            March 31,1997 compared
                                                      with Six Months Ended             with Three Months ended
                                                       March 31, 1996                       March 1996


<S>                                                           <C>                                <C> 
Net sales -continuing product lines                           5.3%                               5.5%
Cost of goods sold                                            4.8                                5.4
Gross profit                                                  2.5                                2.3
Selling, general and administrative
   expense                                                    2.1                                1.0
Research and development expenses                             1.8                                7.5
Income before provision for
   income taxes                                               0.6                                (4.2)
Provision for income taxes                                   (7.3)                              (15.6)
Net income                                                    4.9                                 2.1


</TABLE>


<PAGE>



                    COMPARISON: QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1997

                        AND QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1996

Results of Operations (continued)

Three Months Ended March 31, 1997

         Net  sales--continuing  product  lines for the quarter  ended March 31,
1997 increased by 5.5% compared with the same period last year. The increase was
due  primarily  to an  increase  in unit sales and the  activity  of  HealthStar
Pharmaceutical  Services (subsequently renamed Vital Pharma, Inc. ("VPI"), which
was  acquired in  January,  1996.  Price changes did not have a material  effect
on net sales during these periods.

         Sales   of   anesthesia    products    (representing   62.0%   of   net
sales--continuing product lines) grew 3.7% from the quarter ended March 31, 1996
to the  quarter  ended  March 31, 1997 due to  increased  unit  sales.  Sales of
critical   care   and   respiratory   products   (representing   33.7%   of  net
sales--continuing  product lines) increased by 3.5% due to increased unit sales.
Other  products,  accounting for 4.3% of net sales,  increased by 79.9% from the
comparable period in Fiscal 1996, reflecting the increased activity of VPI.

         Gross profit increased by 2.3% in absolute dollar amount. This increase
is the result of  increased  sales  combined  with the effects of the  Company's
re-engineering  and cost reduction  efforts offset by sales of certain  products
with gross  margins below the  Company's  average  gross margin,  as well as the
sales  price  pressure  that is evident  within the cost  conscious  health care
industry  today. On a consolidated  basis the Company's gross profit  percentage
for the  quarter  ended  March 31, 1997 was 56.3 % compared to 57.1% in the same
time period of last fiscal year, reflecting the impact of lower margin sales.

         Selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  increased  by 1.0% in
dollar  volume,  as the result of  increases  in costs to support  international
sales growth and the increased activity at VPI.

         Research and  development  (R&D)  expenses  increased by 7.5% due to an
increase in new product  opportunities.  The Company continues to make an active
commitment to internal new product development.

         Other  income/expense,  which  decreased  by $525,000  from the quarter
ended March 31, 1996 to the quarter  ended  March 31,  1997,  includes  dividend
income,  realized capital gains and losses,  currency gains and losses and legal
and other expenses  related to  non-operational  items.  In the 1996 quarter the
Company  realized  capital gain and other income while in the 1997  quarter,  no
significant capital gain or other income occurred.

         The  Company's  effective  tax rates were 31.5% and 35.7% for the three
months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996  respectively.  The rates are less than the
combined  Federal  and  State  statutory  rates  primarily  as a  result  of the
utilization of capital loss carry forwards and a special  deduction  realized in
fiscal 1997 which will reduce taxable income in 1997 by approximately $3 million
but will not be repeated in the future.  Thus, the Company's effective tax  rate
is expected to increase in fiscal 1998.



<PAGE>



                   COMPARISON: SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997

                       AND SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996

Results of Operations (continued)
Six Months Ended March 31, 1997

          Net sales--continuing product lines for the six months ended March 31,
1997 increased by 5.3% compared with the same period last year. The increase was
due  primarily  to an  increase  in unit  sales and the  increased  activity  at
HealthStar  Pharmaceutical  Services  (subsequently  renamed Vital Pharma,  Inc.
("VPI").  Price changes did not have a  material  effect  on net  sales  during 
these periods.

          Sales   of   anesthesia   products    (representing   62.9%   of   net
sales--continuing  product  lines) grew 4.2% from the six months ended March 31,
1996 to the six  months  ended  March  31,  1997.  Sales  of  critical  care and
respiratory products (representing 33.2% of net sales--continuing product lines)
decreased  by 0.6% due to lower unit  sales.  The Company has not had success in
obtaining  group  purchasing   contracts  with  respect  to  critical  care  and
respiratory  products.  This has  contributed  to the lower unit volumes.  Other
products,  accounting  for  3.9% of net  sales,  increased  by  224.9%  from the
comparable period in Fiscal 1996, reflecting the increased activity at VPI.

          Gross  profit  increased  by  2.5% in  absolute  dollar  amount.  This
increase is the result of higher sales and the Company's re-engineering and cost
reduction  efforts offset by sales of certain  products with gross margins below
the Company's  average gross margin, as well as the sales price pressure that is
evident within the cost conscious  health care industry today. On a consolidated
basis the Company's  gross profit  percentage for the six months ended March 31,
1997  was  56.6%  compared  to  57.1% in the same time period of the last fiscal
year.

          Selling,  general and  administrative  expenses  increased  by 2.1% in
dollar  volume,  as the result of  increases  in costs to support  international
sales growth and the acquisition of VPI.

          Research and development (R&D) expenses increased slightly, as certain
new  product  projects  intensified  during the last three  months.  The Company
continues to make an active commitment to new product development.

          Other income/expense,  which decreased by $255,000 from the six months
ended March 31, 1996 to the six months ended March 31, 1997,  includes  dividend
income,  realized capital gains and losses,  legal and other expenses related to
non-operational  items and  currency  gains and losses.  In the 1996 period  the
Company  realized  capital gain and other income while in the 1997  period,   no
significant capital gain or other income occurred.

          The  Company's  effective  tax rates  were 32.6% and 35.4% for the six
months ended March 31, 1997 and 1996  respectively.  The rates are less than the
combined  Federal  and  State  statutory  rates  primarily  as a  result  of the
utilization of capital loss carry forwards and a special  deduction  realized in
fiscal 1997 which will reduce taxable income in 1997 by approximately $3 million
but will not be repeated in the future.  Thus  the Company's effective  tax rate
is expected to increase in fiscal 1998. 

          On  November  18,  1996,  the Company  announced  it won a dual source
supply agreement with Premier Purchasing  Partners LP ("Premier"),  an affiliate
of the largest  healthcare  purchasing group in the United States (see page 9 of
the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1996).
This  agreement  covers a  variety  of  anesthesia  products  and  provides  for
favorable  pricing for the group in exchange  for  committed  purchasing  volume
(90%) of usage from the member hospitals.  The agreement covers a five year term
and is effective  starting  February 1, 1997. Based on current  membership data,
management  anticipates  that the effect on  operating  income and gross  margin
contribution  (dollars) will not be dilutive in spite of lower pricing and gross
margin percentages. This statement regarding dilutive impact constitutes a

<PAGE>



forward-looking  statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. The effects of the contract could differ  materially  from these estimates
as the  contract  is  implemented,  if the  volume  of  purchases  is less  than
anticipated,  if the Company is required to incur unanticipated selling expenses
or if the product mix  purchased  does not result in  anticipated  manufacturing
efficiencies.

Liquidity and Capital Resources


          The Company  continues to rely upon cash flow from its  operations  as
well as the funds generated from its initial and second public offerings. During
the six months ended March 31, 1997,  cash and cash  equivalents  and short-term
investments  decreased  by  $1,039,000  while  long-term  marketable  securities
decreased by $256,000.  Long-term  debt was reduced by $500,000,  $2,077,000  of
treasury stock was acquired  pursuant to a previously  announced  buy-back plan,
and the Company  paid  $1,045,000  of  dividends  during the first six months of
Fiscal  1997.   Capital   expenditures   of  $4,599,000  were  made  to  improve
efficiencies and support new business opportunities.  The combined total of cash
and cash  equivalents,  short-term  investment  and  long-term  investments  was
approximately  $45.2  million at March 31, 1997 as compared to $46.5  million at
September 30, 1996.

           At March 31,  1997,  the Company  had $15.3  million in cash and cash
equivalents.  On that date, the Company's  working capital was $48.4 million and
the current  ratio was 7.5 to 1, as  compared  to $44.8  million and 6.1 to 1 at
September  30,  1996.  The  Company's  current  policy is to retain such working
capital and earnings for use in its business,  subject to the payment of certain
cash  dividends  and  treasury  stock  repurchases.  Such  funds may be used for
product development, product acquisitions and business acquisitions, among other
things. The Company regularly evaluates and negotiates with domestic and foreign
medical  device  companies   regarding   potential   business  or  product  line
acquisitions or licensing arrangements by the Company.

           On March 14, 1997, Vital Signs,  Inc. (the "Company")  announced that
it has entered into a definitive  merger agreement  providing for the Company to
acquire  Marquest  Medical  Products,  Inc.  ("Marquest"),  which would become a
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.  Separately, the Company entered into an
agreement  with  Scherer  Healthcare,  Inc.  ("Scherer"),  which is the majority
shareholder of Marquest, to acquire, for cash, certain product rights previously
sold by Marquest to Scherer. The Company entered into inducement agreements with
Scherer and Robert Scherer, Scherer's principal shareholder,  in connection with
the  commitment  of Scherer and Robert  Scherer to vote their shares in favor of
the  transaction.  The  agreements are subject to the approval of Marquest's and
Scherer's  shareholders.  As a result of the  transaction  the Company  will pay
approximately  $18.5  million and assume  Marquest's  debt of  approximately  $5
million.  See the  current  Report  on Form  8-K  filed on  March  19,  1997 for
additional information

          The Company has a $10 million line of credit with Chase Manhattan Bank
("Chase").  Chase has also expressed its intention to provide  additional  funds
for the Company's future acquisitions, provided that each such acquisition meets
certain criteria. The terms for any borrowing would be negotiated at the date of
origination.

          Management  believes that the funds generated from  operations,  along
with the Company's  current  working capital  position and bank credit,  will be
sufficient to satisfy the Company's  capital  requirements  for the  foreseeable
future. This statement constitutes a forward-looking statement under the Private
Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of 1995.  The  Company's  liquidity  could be
adversely  impacted  and its need for  capital  change if costs are higher  than
anticipated,  operating results differ  significantly  from recent experience or
adverse events affect the Company's operations.

<PAGE>






PART II.     Other Information


            Item 1.        Legal Proceedings.

                           On March  24,  1997 and on  April  9,  1997  separate
                           actions  were  commenced  against  the Company in New
                           Jersey and  California,  respectively,  by dealers of
                           Marquest  Medical  Products,  Inc.  who had  received
                           notification  that their  dealer  relationships  with
                           Marquest  were to be  terminated.  While the lawsuits
                           are not identical, they assert similar claims against
                           the  Company  with  regard  to   misappropriation  of
                           confidential  information  and  violation  of certain
                           statutory  provisions  relating to the  protection of
                           dealership   rights.   In  addition   the  action  in
                           California   asserts  claims  for  violation  of  the
                           Robinson-Patman  Act.  Each of the actions also names
                           Marquest  as  a  defendant  and  similar  claims  are
                           asserted   against   it.  The   Company   intends  to
                           vigorously  defend these actions and does not believe
                           that  such  proceedings  will  materially   adversely
                           impact   the    Company's   consolidated   financial 
                           condition,  results  of  operations   or  liquidity. 
                           Predictions regarding the impact of such proceedings 
                           constitute   forward-looking  statements   under the 
                           Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The
                           actual  impact  of  such  proceedings  could   differ
                           materially from the impact anticipated, primarily as 
                           a result of uncertainties  involved  in  the proof of
                           facts in legal proceedings.

                           For  further  discussion  also  see  Item  3  of  the
                           Company's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K for the year
                           ended September 30, 1996.

            Item 6.        Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
                           (a)      Exhibits: 27.1 - Financial Data Schedule

                           (b)      Reports on Form 8-K filed during the quarter
                                    ended March 31, 1997.

                                    (i)   Current  Report  on  Form  8-K  dated 
                                          March 14, 1997 providing (item  5  and
                                          7) information regarding the Company's
                                          acquisition of Marquest.


<PAGE>





                                   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.




                                          VITAL SIGNS, INC.



                                          By: /s/ Anthony J. Dimun
                                              _____________________________
                                                  Anthony J. Dimun
                                                  Executive Vice President of
                                                  Finance and Chief Financial 
                                                  Officer


                                          Date: May 15, 1997



<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
        THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
        COMPANY'S BALANCE SHEET AT MARCH 31, 1997 AND SIX MONTH INCOME STATEMENT
        ENDING MARCH 31, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
        SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                        1,000
<CURRENCY>                                            US
       
<S>                          <C>

<FISCAL-YEAR-END>        SEP-30-1997
<PERIOD-END>             MAR-31-1997
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                 1
<CASH>                                              15,326
<SECURITIES>                                         1,984
<RECEIVABLES>                                       15,225
<ALLOWANCES>                                           137
<INVENTORY>                                         15,154
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                    55,950
<PP&E>                                              32,555
<DEPRECIATION>                                      (7,926)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     128,953
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                7,506
<BONDS>                                              2,500
                                    0
                                              0
<COMMON>                                            27,833
<OTHER-SE>                                            (409)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       128,953
<SALES>                                             46,675
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                    46,675
<CGS>                                               20,266
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                       20,266
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     2,094
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                         0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                     139
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     14,313
<INCOME-TAX>                                         4,664
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                  9,649
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                         9,649
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                          .74
<EPS-DILUTED>                                          .74
        

</TABLE>


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