CLARK USA INC /DE/
10-Q, 1997-05-15
PETROLEUM REFINING
Previous: ANIKA THERAPEUTICS INC, 10QSB, 1997-05-15
Next: TR FINANCIAL CORP, 10-Q, 1997-05-15




<PAGE> 1
                                UNITED STATES
                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
                          Washington, D.C. 20549


                                FORM 10-Q



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 1-13514

                                CLARK USA, INC.
        (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


        Delaware                                43-1495734
        (State or other jurisdiction            (I.R.S. Employer
      of incorporation or organization)       Identification No.)

        8182 Maryland Avenue                    63105-3721
        St. Louis, Missouri                     (Zip Code)
 (Address of principal executive offices)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code (314) 854-9696

	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 
(*) No (  )

	Number of shares of registrant's common stock, $.01 par value, 
outstanding as of May 9, 1997:

               Class                   Shares Outstanding
        Common Stock                      19,051,818
        Class A Common Stock              10,162,509


<PAGE> 2

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


To the Board of Directors of 
Clark USA, Inc.


We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Clark 
USA, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of March 31, 1997, and the related 
consolidated statements of earnings and of cash flows for the three
month period then ended.  These financial statements are the 
responsibility of the Company's management.

We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the 
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants.  A review of interim 
financial information consists principally of applying analytical 
procedures to financial data and making inquires of persons responsible 
for financial and accounting matters.  It is substantially less in 
scope than an audit conducted in accordance with generally accepted 
auditing standards, the objective of which is the expression of an 
opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole.  
Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion. 

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material modifications that 
should be made to the accompanying 1997 consolidated financial 
statements for them to be in conformity with generally accepted 
accounting principles. 

The consolidated financial statements of the Company for the three 
months ended March 31, 1996 were reviewed by other accountants whose 
report dated April 30, 1996 expressed that they were not aware of any 
material modifications that should be made to those financial statements 
in order for them to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting 
principles.

The consolidated balance sheet of the Company at December 31, 1996 and 
the related consolidated statements of earnings, cash flows and 
stockholders' equity for the year then ended (not presented herein) were 
audited by other independent accountants whose report dated February 4, 
1997 expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements.  



                                Price Waterhouse LLP




May 6, 1997

<PAGE> 3
 
                        CLARK USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                 (Dollars in thousands except per share data)
<TABLE>                   
                                Reference    December 31,       March 31,
                                  Note          1996              1997
                                _________    ___________        ________
<S>                                <C>            <C>              <C>
        ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:
   Cash and cash equivalents                 $   339,963      $  212,248 
   Short-term investments           2             14,881          14,793 
   Accounts receivable                           171,714         137,338 
   Inventories                      3            277,095         339,826 
   Prepaid expenses and other                     17,353          20,238
                                              ----------      ----------
          Total current assets                   821,006         724,443 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT                    557,256         574,951 
OTHER ASSETS                        4             54,541          76,363 
                                              ----------      ----------
                                              $1,432,803      $1,375,757
                                              ==========      ==========

        LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
   Accounts payable                            $  294,736      $  279,595 
   Accrued expenses and other       5             49,691          47,816 
   Accrued taxes other than income                46,485          49,162
                                              ----------      ----------
          Total current liabilities              390,912         376,573

LONG-TERM DEBT                                   781,362         785,702 
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES                       46,141          46,455 
CONTINGENCIES                       6                 --              -- 

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
   Common stock 
      Common, $.01 par value, 19,051,818 issued      190             190 
      Class A Common, $.01 par value, 10,162,509
         issued                                      102             102 
   Paid-in capital                               296,094         296,094 
   Advance crude oil purchase receivable 
        from stockholders                        (26,520)        (26,520)
   Retained earnings (deficit)      2            (55,478)       (102,839)
                                              -----------     -----------                                                  
           Total stockholders' equity            214,388         167,027 
                                              -----------     -----------
                                              $1,432,803      $1,375,757  
                                              ===========     =========== 

</TABLE>

      The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

<PAGE> 4

                        CLARK USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES                
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS                      
                            (Dollars in thousands)                           
									
<TABLE>                                                                 
                                                                
                                                    For the three months     
                                    Reference          ended March 31,
                                      Note          1996             1997
                                    ---------    ----------     -----------                                                 
<S>                                   <C>            <C>             <C>
NET SALES AND OPERATING REVENUES                 $1,140,238     $   999,155
									
EXPENSES:                                                
  Cost of sales                                  (1,024,554)       (892,878)
  Operating expenses                               (100,650)       (107,625)
  General and administrative expenses               (14,086)        (14,968)
  Depreciation                                       (9,053)         (9,570)
  Amortization                    4                  (3,613)         (2,912)
                                                 -----------     ----------- 
                                                 (1,151,956)     (1,027,953)
                                                 -----------     -----------
OPERATING LOSS                                      (11,718)        (28,798)
		
  Interest and financing
  costs, net                   2, 4, 5              (12,718)        (18,563)
                                                 -----------     -----------
									
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES                            (24,436)        (47,361)
									
        Income tax benefit                            9,196              --
                                                 -----------     -----------
NET LOSS                                         $  (15,240)    $   (47,361)
                                                 ===========    ============                      
</TABLE>

      The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

<PAGE> 5


                        CLARK USA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES                 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS                   
                             (Dollars in thousands)                           
					
<TABLE>                                 
                                                        For the three months   
                                                           ended March 31,  
                                                         1996          1997
                                                     -----------   -----------
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  Net loss                                           $   (15,240) $   (47,361)
  Adjustments:                                        
       Depreciation                                        9,053        9,570 
       Amortization                                        6,289        5,605 
       Accretion of Zero Coupon Notes                      4,561        5,122 
       Share of earnings of affiliates, net of dividends     333           52 
       Deferred income taxes                              (9,380)          -- 
       Other, net                                         (1,484)         325 
					
  Cash provided by (reinvested in) working capital -					
       Accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other   (12,391)      33,201 
       Inventories                                       (20,987)     (62,731)
       Accounts payable, accrued expenses, taxes other
              than income and other                       45,363      (13,917)
                                                     -----------  ------------
                   Net cash provided by (used in)
                   operating activities                    6,117      (70,134)
                                                     -----------  ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:					
  Purchases of short-term investments                         14           88 
  Sales of short-term investments                          4,000           -- 
  Expenditures for property, plant and equipment          (7,403)     (30,927)
  Expenditures for turnaround                             (3,574)     (27,412)
  Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment 3,621        1,527 
  Advance crude oil purchase receivable                     (167)          --
                                                     -----------  ------------
           Net cash used in investing activities          (3,509)     (56,724)
                                                     -----------  ------------
					
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:					
  Long-term debt payments                                 (1,347)        (782)
  Deferred financing costs                                  (362)         (75)
                                                     -----------  ------------
           Net cash used in financing activities          (1,709)        (857)
                                                     -----------  ------------
					
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS         899     (127,715)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period           103,729      339,963
                                                     -----------  ------------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period             $   104,628  $   212,248
                                                     ===========  ============

</TABLE>

           The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.


<PAGE> 6


FORM 10-Q - PART I
ITEM 1 Financial Statements (continued)

Clark USA, Inc. and Subsidiaries

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
March 31, 1997
(tabular dollar amounts in thousands of US dollars)

1.	Basis of Preparation 

	The unaudited consolidated balance sheet of Clark USA, Inc. and 
Subsidiaries (the "Company") as of March 31, 1997, and the related 
consolidated statements of earnings and cash flows for the three month 
periods ended March 31, 1996 and 1997, have been reviewed by independent 
accountants.  Clark Refining & Marketing, Inc. ("Clark"), a subsidiary 
of the Company, makes up the majority of the consolidated financial 
information.  In the opinion of the management of the Company, all 
adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary 
for a fair presentation of the financial statements have been included 
therein.  The results of this interim period are not necessarily 
indicative of results for the entire year.

	Certain reclassifications have been made to the operating and general 
administrative expenses in the 1996 financial statements to conform to 
current year presentation.

	The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the 
instructions to Form 10-Q.  Accordingly, certain information and 
disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been 
condensed or omitted.  These unaudited financial statements should be 
read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes 
thereto for the year ended December 31, 1996.

	The Company's earnings and cash flow from operations are primarily 
dependent upon processing crude oil and selling quantities of refined 
petroleum products at margins sufficient to cover operating expenses.  
Crude oil and refined petroleum products are commodities, and factors 
largely out of the Company's control can cause prices to vary, in a wide 
range, over a short period of time.  This potential margin volatility 
can have a material effect on financial position, current period 
earnings and cash flow.


2.	Short-term Investments

	The Company's short-term investments are all considered Available-
for-Sale and are carried at fair value with the resulting unrealized 
gain or loss (net of applicable taxes) shown as a component of retained 
earnings.

	Short-term investments consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
                       December 31, 1996                       March 31, 1997
                --------------------------------  ------------------------------
    Major       Amortized Unrealized   Aggregate  Amortized Unrealized Aggregate
Security Type    Cost    Gain/(Loss)  Fair Value   Cost    Gain/(Loss)Fair Value
<S>               <C>       <C>          <C>       <C>         <C>         <C>
- ------------- --------- -----------  ---------- --------- ----------- ----------
U.S. Debt
Securities    $ 14,981   $ (100)      $ 14,881  $ 14,893    $ (100)   $ 14,793
</TABLE>

	The net unrealized position at March 31, 1997, included gains of $0.0 
million and losses of $0.1 million (1996 -- gains of $0.0 million and 
losses of $0.1 million).

<PAGE> 7

	The contractual maturities of the short-term investments at March 31, 
1997, were:
<TABLE>
                                                Amortized       Aggregate
                                                  Cost          Fair Value 
                                                ---------       ----------
<S>                                                <C>              <C>
  Due in one year or less                       $ 3,013         $ 2,996
  Due after one year through five years          11,880          11,797
                                                -------         -------
                                                $14,893         $14,793
                                                =======         =======
</TABLE>

        Although some of the contractual maturities of these short-term
investments are over one year, management's intent is to use the funds
for current operations and not hold the investments to maturity.

	For the three month period ended March 31, 1997, there were no sales 
of Available-for-Sale securities.  For the same period in 1996, proceeds 
from the sale of Available-for-Sale securities were $4.0 million with no 
realized gains or losses recorded for the period.  Realized gains and 
losses are presented in "Interest and financing costs, net" and are 
computed using the specific identification method.

	For the three month period ended March 31, 1997, there was no change 
in the net unrealized holding gains or losses on Available-for-Sale 
securities.  For the same period in 1996, the change in the net 
unrealized holding gains or losses on Available-for-Sale securities was 
a loss of $0.2 million ($0.1 million after taxes).

3.	Inventories

	The carrying value of inventories consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
                                        December 31,    March 31,
                                           1996            1997 
                                        ------------    ---------
        <S>                                <C>             <C>
        Crude oil                        $105,786       $106,535
        Refined and blendstocks           136,747        192,788
        Convenience products               17,643         25,459
        Warehouse stock and other          16,919         15,044
                                         --------       --------
                                         $277,095       $339,826
                                         ========       ========
</TABLE>

	The market value of the crude oil and refined product inventories at 
March 31, 1997, was approximately $21.0 million above the carrying value 
(December 31, 1996 - $81.7 million).


4.	Other Assets

	Amortization of deferred financing costs for the three month period 
ended March 31, 1997, was $2.7 million (1996 - $2.5 million), and is 
included in " Interest and financing costs, net ".

	Amortization of refinery maintenance turnaround costs for the three 
month period ended March 31, 1997, was $2.9 million (1996 - $3.6 
million).

<PAGE> 8

5.	Interest Expense and Finance Income, Net

	Interest and financing costs, net, consisted of the following:

<TABLE>                                 
                                                        For the three months     
                                                           ended March 31,  
                                                         1996          1997
                                                     -----------   -----------
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>

        Interest expense                              $20,056        $20,522
        Financing costs                                 2,506          2,673
        Interest and finance income                    (9,616)        (4,210)
                                                      --------       --------
                                                       12,946         18,985
        Capitalized interest                             (228)          (422)
                                                      --------       --------
          Interest and financing costs, net           $12,718        $18,563
                                                      ========       ========
</TABLE>

	Accrued interest payable at March 31, 1997, of $14.9 million 
(December 31, 1996 - $8.4 million) is included in "Accrued expenses and 
other".

6.	Contingencies 

        On May 5, 1997 a Complaint, entitled AOC Limited Partnership ("AOC 
L.P.") et al., vs. TrizecHahn Corporation, et al., Case No. 97 CH 05543 
naming the Company as a defendant was filed in the Circuit Court of Cook 
County.  The Complaint seeks $21 million, plus continuing interest, 
related to the sale of equity by the Company to finance the Port Arthur 
Refinery acquisition.  The sale of such equity triggered a calculation 
of a potential contingent payment to AOC L.P. (the "AOC L.P. Contingent 
Payment"), pursuant to the agreement related to the December 1992 
purchase of their minority interest.  Based upon such calculation, the 
Company believes no payment is required.  The Complaint disputes the 
method of calculation.  The AOC L.P. Contingent Payment is an amount 
which shall not exceed in the aggregate $33.9 million and is payable 89% 
by the Company and 11% by TrizecHahn.  TrizecHahn has indemnified the 
Company for any AOC L.P. Contingent Payment in excess of $7 million.  At 
this time no estimate can be made as to the Company's potential 
liability, if any, with respect to this matter.

	Clark and the Company are subject to various other legal proceedings 
related to governmental regulations and other actions arising out of the 
normal course of business, including legal proceedings related to 
environmental matters.  While it is not possible at this time to 
establish the ultimate amount of liability with respect to such 
contingent liabilities, Clark and the Company are of the opinion that 
the aggregate amount of any such liabilities, for which provision has 
not been made, will not have a material adverse effect on their 
financial position, however, an adverse outcome of any one or more of 
these matters could have a material effect on quarterly or annual 
operating results or cash flows when resolved in a future period.

<PAGE> 9

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

General

	Clark USA, Inc. (the "Company") owns all of the outstanding capital 
stock of Clark Refining & Marketing, Inc. ("Clark").  The Company also 
owns all of the outstanding capital stock of Clark Pipe Line Company.  
Because Clark is the principal subsidiary of the Company, a discussion 
of the Company's results of operations consists principally of a 
discussion of Clark's results of operations.


Results of Operations

Financial Highlights

	The following tables reflect the Company's financial and operating 
highlights for the three month periods ended March 31, 1996 and 1997.  
All dollars listed are in millions.  The tables provide supplementary and 
pro forma data and are not intended to represent an income statement presented
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

<TABLE>
                                 
                                                        For the three months     
                                                           ended March 31,  
                                                         1996          1997
                                                     -----------   -----------
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>

Financial Results:                                         

Net sales and operating revenues                      $1,140.2       $999.2
Cost of sales                                          1,024.5        892.9
Operating expenses                                       100.7        107.6
General and administrative expenses                       14.0         15.0
Depreciation and amortization                             12.7         12.5
Interest and financing costs                              22.3         22.8
Interest and finance income                                9.6          4.2
                                                     -----------   ---------                                                        
Loss before income taxes                                 (24.4)       (47.4)
Income tax benefit                                         9.2           --
                                                     -----------   ---------
Net loss                                              $  (15.2)      $(47.4)
                                                      ==========   ========= 

Operating Income:

Pro forma contribution to operating income (a)        $  (14.1)      $ 30.4
Retail contribution to operating income                    9.1          4.2
Corporate general and administrative expenses              3.3     	3.9
                                                      ---------    --------
                                                          (8.3)        30.7
Depreciation and amortization                             12.7         12.5 
Special items (a)                                          9.3        (47.0)
                                                      ---------    --------
Operating income (loss)                                $ (11.7)     $ (28.8)
                                                      ==========   ========= 
</TABLE>

(a) Special items are described in detail below.

	The Company reported a net loss of $47.4 million for the first 
quarter of 1997 as compared to a net loss of $15.2 million in the same 
period of 1996.  Excluding the effect of special items discussed below, 
first quarter operating contribution would have increased $39.0 million 
to $30.7 million in 1997 versus a loss of $8.3 million in 1996.  Special 
items reduced pre-tax earnings on a pro forma basis by $47.0 million in 
1997 as compared to a pre-tax gain of $9.3 million in the first quarter 
of 1996.  Unlike 1996, The Company did not record a tax provision 
benefit on its 1997 pretax loss due to its current tax loss carry forward 
position.

<PAGE> 10

        Special items associated with the estimated impact of a fall in
crude oil prices on feedstock costs and the Company's estimate of the
hypothetical cost of lost production associated with a major maintenance
turnaround reduced first quarter pre-tax earnings by $47.0 million on a
pro forma basis in 1997.  A decrease in crude oil prices of approximately $5.50
per barrel in the quarter had a negative impact on the Company's pretax
earnings of approximately $30.7 million, resulting from the fact that
feedstock acquisition costs are fixed on average two to three weeks prior
to the manufacture and sale of the finished products.  The Company has not
historically hedged this price risk because of the unrecoverable cost of
entering into appropriate hedge-related derivatives, especially in a
backwardated market.  In 1996, this policy resulted in gains of $9.3 million
in the first quarter because crude oil prices increased almost $2 per
barrel in that period.  The Company successfully completed an extensive
planned maintenance turnaround on most units at its Port Arthur refinery in
the first quarter of 1997.  The opportunity cost of lost production from
essentially the entire refinery being out of service for one month was $16.3
million on a pro forma basis.

	Net sales and operating revenues decreased approximately 12% in the 
first quarter of 1997 as compared to the prior year.  This decrease was 
principally the result of the above mentioned crude oil price decline 
and the major maintenance turnaround at the Port Arthur refinery, which 
reduced the Company's production and sales of refined products.


Refining

Refining Division Operating Statistics:
(dollars in millions, except per barrel data)            

<TABLE>
                                 
                                                        For the three months     
                                                           ended March 31,  
                                                         1996          1997
                                                     -----------   -----------
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>
Port Arthur Refinery
Crude oil throughput (m bbls/day)                       199.0         166.5
Production (m bbls/day)                                 203.7         166.1

Pro forma gross margin ($/barrel of production) (a)   $  2.00       $  3.91
Operating expenses                                       38.7          43.1

Net margin including turnaround impact                $  (1.6)      $  15.4
Estimated turnaround impact (b)                            --           16.3
Pro forma net margin (b)                              $  (1.6)      $  31.7

Blue Island, Hartford and other refining
Crude oil throughput (m bbls/day)                       125.5         133.4
Production (m bbls/day)                                 132.3         136.7

Pro forma gross margin ($/barrel of production) (a)   $  2.00       $  2.88
Operating expenses                                       31.5          32.0

Pro forma net margin                                  $  (7.4)      $   3.4

Clark Pipe Line net margin                                0.5           0.6
Divisional G & A expenses                                 5.6           5.3
Pro forma contribution to earnings (b)                $ (14.1)      $  30.4
</TABLE>

(a)     Excludes the impact of the change in crude oil prices on feedstock
        costs.  Actual gross margin per barrel was as follows:
        Port Arthur, 1996 - $2.39; 1997 - $2.53.  Blue Island, Hartford and
        refining, 1996 - $2.17; 1997 - $2.06.

(b)     Hypothetical cost of lost production at foregone margins during the
        period of the turnaround shutdown.


	On a pro forma basis, the refining division contributed $30.4
million to operating income in the first quarter of 1997 (1996 - loss 
of $14.1 million). Excluding special items in both periods, pro forma 
refining contribution in the quarter increased $44.5 million versus 
1996.  Actual first quarter contribution was a loss of $16.6 million in 
1997 versus a loss of $4.8 million in 1996.  Midwest refining results 
improved despite a 5% decline in Midwest refining margin indicators.  
This was principally due to improved yields and throughput and better 
crude oil quality differentials.  Crude oil quality differential 
indicators for sour crude oil improved from $0.81 per barrel to $2.19 
per barrel and the benefit for heavy sour crude oil improved from $4.33 
per barrel to $6.35 per barrel from the first quarter of 1996 to the 
first quarter of 1997.  The Company believes these crude oil quality 
differential indicators improved primarily due to increased

<PAGE> 11

availability of light and heavy sour crude oil, higher levels of 
industry refinery maintenance turnarounds and milder winter weather in 
the first quarter of 1997.  Results for the Port Arthur refinery were 
also buoyed by the strong crude oil quality differentials, a 17% 
improvement in Gulf Coast refining margin indicators and outstanding 
operating performance following the turnaround.

	Port Arthur crude oil throughput and production in the first quarter 
of 1997 was reduced due to the planned maintenance turnaround.  First 
quarter Midwest refining crude oil throughput and production increased 
over the prior year due to lower levels of routine maintenance in 1997.  
Operating expenses were flat year over year in Midwest refining.  First 
quarter Port Arthur refinery operating expenses were $4.4 million higher 
than the previous year principally because of higher natural gas prices
in January of 1997.  Natural gas is consumed as a fuel in the refining
process.  Natural gas prices decreased in February and March of this year.


Retail

Retail Division Operating Statistics:
(dollars in millions, except per gallon and per store data)

<TABLE>
                                 
                                                        For the three months     
                                                           ended March 31,  
                                                         1996          1997
                                                     -----------   -----------
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>

Gasoline volume (mm gals.)                              236.5         238.1
Gasoline gross margin (cents/gal)                        11.9          10.8 
Gasoline gross margin                                 $  28.2       $  25.8

Convenience product sales                             $  58.5       $  60.3
Convenience product margin and other income              14.5          16.4

Gain on asset sales                                   $   1.8       $    --
Operating expenses                                       30.3          32.3
Divisional G & A expenses                                 5.1           5.7
Contribution to operating income                      $   9.1       $   4.2

Per Month Per Store
Company operated stores (average)                         826           814
Gasoline volume (m gals.)                                95.4          98.2
Convenience product sales (m)                         $  23.6       $  24.7
Convenience product gross margin (m)                  $   5.8       $   6.7

</TABLE>
	First quarter retail contribution to operating income of $4.2 
million was below the 1996 contribution ($9.1 million) because of a 
$1.8 million gain on the sale of stores in the prior year and weaker 
retail fuel margins in 1997.  Certain store operating measures did show 
improvement in 1997, including a 15% improvement in convenience product 
margins per store on nearly 5% higher sales.  Fuel volume on both an 
absolute and per store basis was also improved over 1996, despite a 
lower store count.  Fuel margins improved over one cent per gallon from a 
weak second half of 1996 trend, but were still one cent per gallon below 
year ago levels.  Retail margins have historically benefited when 
wholesale prices fall, but the benefit of a first quarter crude oil 
price decline was not fully realized because of a highly competitive 
retail market.  Operating expenses increased principally because of 
lease expenses and operating costs for larger stores acquired in the 
last year.  General and administrative expenses increased primarily
due to higher labor costs.

<PAGE> 12

Other Financial Highlights

	Interest and financing costs, net for the first quarter of 1997 
increased over the comparable period of 1996 due principally to the 
absence in 1997 of an advance crude oil purchase receivable that was 
sold in late 1996.  This receivable provided $7.1 million of finance 
income in the first quarter of 1996.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

	Net cash used in operating activities, excluding working capital 
changes, for the first quarter of 1997 was $26.7 million compared to 
$5.9 million in the year-earlier period.  Working capital at March 31, 
1997 was $347.9 million, a 1.92 to 1 current ratio, versus $430.1 
million at December 31, 1996, a 2.10 to 1 current ratio.  Working 
capital at March 31, 1997 decreased from the end of the year because of 
the first quarter loss, a retail store acquisition that was financed 
with cash and the capital cost and related temporary working capital 
impact of the Port Arthur refinery turnaround.

	In general, the Company's short-term working capital requirements 
fluctuate with the price and payment terms of crude oil and refined 
petroleum products.  Clark has in place a $400 million committed 
revolving line of credit expiring December 31, 1997 for the issuance of 
letters of credit primarily to support purchases of crude oil, other 
feedstocks and refined products.  The amount available under the 
borrowing base associated with such facility at March 31, 1997 was $400 
million and approximately $328 million of the facility was utilized for 
letters of credit.  There were no direct borrowings under Clark's line 
of credit at March 31, 1997.

	Cash flows used in investing activities in the first quarter of 1997, 
excluding short-term investment activities which management treats 
similar to cash and cash equivalents, was $56.8 million as compared to 
$7.5 million in the year-earlier period.  The higher investing 
activities in 1997 resulted principally from the Port Arthur refinery 
turnaround ($27.4 million) and the acquisition of 48 retail stores in 
Michigan ($18.6 million).  Refinery capital expenditures totaled $9.0 
million in the first three months of 1997 (1996 - $3.9 million), most of 
which related to discretionary and non-discretionary projects undertaken 
in conjunction with the Port Arthur refinery turnaround.  Retail capital 
expenditures for the first three months of 1997, excluding the Michigan 
acquisition, totaled $3.3 million (1996 - $3.4 million) and was 
principally for underground storage tank-related work.

	Funds generated from operating activities together with the Company's 
existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are expected 
to be adequate to fund requirements for working capital and capital 
expenditure programs for the next year.  Future working capital, 
discretionary or non-discretionary capital expenditures, or acquisitions 
may require additional debt or equity financing.

<PAGE> 13

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1 - Legal Proceedings

        On May 5, 1997 a Complaint, entitled AOC Limited Partnership ("AOC 
L.P.") et al., vs. TrizecHahn Corporation, et al., Case No. 97 CH 05543 
naming the Company as a defendant was filed in the Circuit Court of Cook 
County.  The Complaint seeks $21 million, plus continuing interest, 
related to the sale of equity by the Company to finance the Port Arthur 
Refinery acquisition.  The sale of such equity triggered a calculation 
of a potential contingent payment to AOC L.P. (the "AOC L.P. Contingent 
Payment"), pursuant to the agreement related to the December 1992 
purchase of their minority interest.  Based upon such calculation, the 
Company believes no payment is required.  The Complaint disputes the 
method of calculation.  The AOC L.P. Contingent Payment is an amount 
which shall not exceed in the aggregate $33.9 million and is payable 89% 
by the Company and 11% by TrizecHahn.  TrizecHahn has indemnified the 
Company for any AOC L.P. Contingent Payment in excess of $7 million.  At 
this time no estimate can be made as to the Company's potential 
liability, if any, with respect to this matter.

	In April 1997,  the Company was advised of the termination of an 
investigation by the Office of the United States Attorney concerning a 
1994 gasoline spill at the Company's St. Louis, Missouri terminal.  In 
May 1997, the Company received correspondence from the State of Missouri 
seeking to resolve any dispute arising from the events of January 1994 
and seeking the payment of a penalty of less than  $200,000.  


ITEM 6 - Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

	(a)	Exhibits

		Exhibit 27.0 - Financial Data Schedule

	(b)	Reports on Form 8-K

                April 15 and 17, 1997 - Changes in Registrant's Certifying 
Accountant

<PAGE> 14

SIGNATURE

	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.


                                        CLARK USA, INC.
                                        (Registrant)




 
                                         /s/  Dennis R. Eichholz 
                                         Dennis R. Eichholz
                                         Controller and Treasurer (Authorized
                                         Officer and Chief Accounting Officer)


May 12, 1997


 



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               MAR-31-1997
<CASH>                                         212,248
<SECURITIES>                                    14,793
<RECEIVABLES>                                  138,817
<ALLOWANCES>                                     1,479
<INVENTORY>                                    339,826
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               724,443
<PP&E>                                         766,531
<DEPRECIATION>                                 191,580
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,375,757
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          376,573
<BONDS>                                        785,702
                              292
                                          0
<COMMON>                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                     166,735
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,375,757
<SALES>                                        997,582
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,003,365
<CGS>                                          892,878
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,015,471
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                14,733
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              20,522
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (47,361)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (47,361)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (47,361)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        

</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission