BALL CORP
10-Q, 1999-05-14
METAL CANS
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 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 April 4, 1999


                          Commission file number 1-7349

                                BALL CORPORATION

                State of Indiana                   35-0160610

                       10 Longs Peak Drive, P.O. Box 5000
                            Broomfield, CO 80021-2510
                                  303/469-3131


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.
                        
     Class                              Outstanding at May 2, 1999
    ---------------                     ---------------------------
     Common Stock,
     without par value                       30,643,454 shares


<PAGE>



                        Ball Corporation and Subsidiaries
                          QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
                       For the period ended April 4, 1999



                                      INDEX


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Page Number
                                                                                    ---------------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>
PART I.         FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Item 1.         Financial Statements

                Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the
                   Three Months Ended April 4, 1999, and March 29, 1998                      3

                Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at April 4, 1999,
                   and December 31, 1998                                                     4

                Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for
                   the Three Months Ended April 4, 1999, and March 29, 1998                  5

                Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements               6

Item 2.         Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                Condition and Results of Operations                                         13

Item 3.         Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk                  18

PART II.        OTHER INFORMATION                                                           20
</TABLE>



<PAGE>


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  Financial Statements

                        Ball Corporation and Subsidiaries
              UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                 (Millions of dollars except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      Three Months Ended
                                                                           ------------------------------------------
                                                                                April 4,              March 29,
                                                                                  1999                   1998
                                                                           -------------------    -------------------
<S>                                                                        <C>                    <C>          
Net sales                                                                    $       820.3            $      549.7
                                                                           -------------------     ------------------

Costs and expenses
   Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)                           691.9                   466.2
   Depreciation and amortization                                                      41.5                    29.4
   Selling and administrative expenses                                                30.5                    25.4
   Product development and other                                                       3.6                     3.3
   Headquarters relocation costs                                                       -                       6.3
   Interest expense                                                                   28.2                    12.7
                                                                           -------------------     ------------------
                                                                                     795.7                   543.3
                                                                           -------------------     ------------------

Income before taxes on income                                                         24.6                     6.4
Provision for income tax expense                                                      (9.7)                   (3.2)
Minority interests                                                                     0.5                     2.6
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates                                              0.3                    (0.3)
                                                                           -------------------     ------------------

Net income before accounting change                                                   15.7                     5.5
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for start-up costs, net
   of tax benefit                                                                      -                      (3.3)
                                                                           -------------------     ------------------

Net income                                                                            15.7                     2.2
Preferred dividends, net of tax benefit                                               (0.7)                   (0.7)
                                                                           -------------------     ------------------
Net earnings attributable to common shareholders                             $        15.0            $        1.5
                                                                           ===================     ==================


Net earnings per common share:
   Net income before accounting change                                        $       0.50            $       0.16
   Cumulative effect of change in accounting for start-up costs, net
     of tax benefit                                                                   -                      (0.11)
                                                                           -------------------     ------------------
   Earnings per common share                                                  $       0.50            $       0.05
                                                                           ===================     ==================

Diluted earnings per share:
   Net income before accounting change                                        $       0.47            $       0.15
   Cumulative effect of change in accounting for start-up costs, net
     of tax benefit                                                                   -                      (0.10)
                                                                           -------------------     ------------------
   Diluted earnings per share                                                 $       0.47            $       0.05
                                                                           ===================     ==================


Cash dividends declared per common share                                      $       0.15            $       0.15
                                                                           ===================     ==================
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.


<PAGE>


                        Ball Corporation and Subsidiaries
                 UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                              (Millions of dollars)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 April 4,             December 31,
                                                                                   1999                   1998
                                                                             ------------------    -------------------
<S>                                                                          <C>                   <C>
ASSETS
Current assets
   Cash and temporary investments                                             $        42.1          $        34.0
   Accounts receivable, net                                                           313.3                  273.5
   Inventories, net                                                                   581.9                  483.8
   Deferred income tax benefits and prepaid expenses                                   85.4                   94.3
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------
     Total current assets                                                           1,022.7                  885.6
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------

Property, plant and equipment, net                                                  1,158.1                1,174.4
Goodwill and other assets                                                             770.6                  794.8
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------
                                                                              $     2,951.4          $     2,854.8
                                                                             ==================     ==================

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
   Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt                      $       178.8          $       126.8
   Accounts payable                                                                   348.1                  350.3
   Salaries, wages and accrued employee benefits                                       70.1                   97.1
   Other current liabilities                                                          106.8                  113.4
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------
     Total current liabilities                                                        703.8                  687.6
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------

Long-term debt                                                                      1,320.3                1,229.8
Employee benefit obligations, deferred income taxes and other noncurrent
   liabilities                                                                        272.5                  290.7
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------
   Total noncurrent liabilities                                                     1,592.8                1,520.5
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------

Contingencies
Minority interests                                                                     20.6                   24.4
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------

Shareholders' equity
   Series B ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock                                           58.3                   57.2
   Unearned compensation - ESOP                                                       (29.5)                 (29.5)
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------
     Preferred shareholder's equity                                                    28.8                   27.7
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------

   Common stock (35,062,827 shares issued - 1999;
      34,859,636 shares issued - 1998)                                                375.5                  368.4
   Retained earnings                                                                  408.4                  397.9
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss                                               (29.7)                 (31.7)
   Treasury stock, at cost (4,613,905 shares - 1999;
      4,404,758 shares - 1998)                                                       (148.8)                (140.0)
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------
     Common shareholders' equity                                                      605.4                  594.6
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------
           Total shareholders' equity                                                 634.2                  622.3
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------
                                                                              $     2,951.4          $     2,854.8
                                                                             ==================     ==================


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


<PAGE>



                        Ball Corporation and Subsidiaries
                        UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
                             STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                              (Millions of dollars)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      Three Months Ended
                                                                           ------------------------------------------
                                                                                April 4,              March 29,
                                                                                  1999                   1998
                                                                           -------------------    -------------------
<S>                                                                        <C>                    <C>

Cash flows from operating activities
   Net income                                                                  $   15.7               $    2.2
   Reconciliation of net income to net cash used in
      operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization                                                 41.5                   29.4
     Relocation costs                                                               -                      6.3
     Other, net                                                                    15.0                    7.2
   Changes in working capital components                                         (181.5)                 (57.4)
                                                                           -------------------    -------------------
       Net cash used in operating activities                                     (109.3)                 (12.3)
                                                                           -------------------    -------------------

Cash flows from investing activities
   Additions to property, plant and equipment                                     (21.5)                 (16.9)
   Other, net                                                                       3.2                   (0.4)
                                                                           -------------------    -------------------
       Net cash used in investing activities                                      (18.3)                 (17.3)
                                                                           -------------------    -------------------

Cash flows from financing activities
   Net change in long-term debt                                                    92.5                   (7.7)
   Net change in short-term debt                                                   50.0                   56.5
   Common and preferred dividends                                                  (4.5)                  (4.5)
   Net proceeds from issuance of common stock under
      various employee and shareholder plans                                        7.0                    5.1
   Acquisitions of treasury stock                                                  (8.8)                  (2.5)
   Other, net                                                                      (0.5)                  (1.5)
                                                                           -------------------    -------------------
       Net cash provided by financing activities                                  135.7                   45.4
                                                                           -------------------    -------------------

Net increase in cash and temporary investments                                      8.1                   15.8
Cash and temporary investments:
   Beginning of period                                                             34.0                   25.5
                                                                           -------------------    -------------------
   End of period                                                               $   42.1               $   41.3
                                                                           ===================    ===================

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



<PAGE>


Ball Corporation and Subsidiaries
April 4, 1999

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

General.
The  accompanying   condensed  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the
accounts of Ball  Corporation and its controlled  affiliates in which it holds a
majority  equity  position  (collectively,  Ball or the  Company)  and have been
prepared  by  the  Company  without  audit.  Certain  information  and  footnote
disclosures,  including  significant  accounting policies,  normally included in
financial  statements  prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles  have  been  condensed  or  omitted.  The  preparation  of  financial
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting  principles requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of
assets and  liabilities  and disclosure of contingent  assets and liabilities at
the date of the  financial  statements,  and  reported  amounts of revenues  and
expenses  during  the  reporting  period.   Future  events  could  affect  these
estimates.  However,  the Company believes that the financial statements reflect
all adjustments  which are of a normal  recurring nature and are necessary for a
fair statement of the results for the interim period.

Results of operations  for the periods shown are not  necessarily  indicative of
results for the year,  particularly  in view of some  seasonality  in  packaging
operations.   It  is  suggested  that  these  unaudited  condensed  consolidated
financial  statements and  accompanying  notes be read in  conjunction  with the
consolidated  financial  statements  and  the  notes  thereto  included  in  the
Company's latest annual report.

Reclassifications.
Certain prior year amounts have been  reclassified  in order to conform with the
current year presentation.

New Accounting Standards.
SFAS  No.  131,   "Disclosure  about  Segments  of  an  Enterprise  and  Related
Information,"  establishes  standards for reporting  information about operating
segments in annual and interim financial statements. Annual reporting under this
pronouncement was effective for Ball in 1998. Interim reporting became effective
for Ball in 1999, and that information is included on page 7 of this report.

SFAS No. 133,  "Accounting for Derivative  Instruments and Hedging  Activities,"
essentially requires all derivatives to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair
value and  establishes  new  accounting  practices  for hedge  instruments.  The
statement  will be effective for Ball in 2000.  The effect,  if any, of adopting
this standard has not yet been determined.

Statement  of Position  (SOP) No.  98-1,  "Accounting  for the Costs of Computer
Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use," establishes new accounting and
reporting standards for the costs of computer software developed or obtained for
internal use and was adopted by Ball as of January 1, 1999.  The adoption of SOP
No.  98-1  is  not  expected  to  have a  significant  impact  on the  Company's
operations or financial condition.

During the fourth quarter of 1998, Ball adopted  Statement of Position (SOP) No.
98-5,  "Reporting  on the  Costs of  Start-Up  Activities,"  in  advance  of its
required 1999 implementation  date. SOP No. 98-5 requires that costs of start-up
activities and  organizational  costs, as defined,  be expensed as incurred.  In
accordance  with this  statement,  the Company  recorded an after-tax  charge to
earnings of  approximately  $3.3  million (11 cents per share),  retroactive  to
January 1, 1998, representing the cumulative effect of this change in accounting
on prior  years.  As a result of this  change  in  accounting,  certain  amounts
previously reported in the first quarter of 1998 have been restated.


<PAGE>


Business Segment Information.
Ball's  operations  are  organized  along  its  product  lines and  include  two
segments:  (1)  packaging and (2) aerospace  and  technologies.  The  accounting
policies of the  segments  are the same as those in the  condensed  consolidated
financial  statements.  Prior year  segment  information  has been  restated  to
conform to the requirements of SFAS No. 131,  "Disclosures  about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information."

The packaging  segment  includes the businesses that  manufacture  metal and PET
(polyethylene terephthalate) containers,  primarily for use in beverage and food
packaging.  The Company's  consolidated  packaging operations are located in and
serve North  America  (the U.S.  and Canada) and Asia,  primarily  the  People's
Republic of China (PRC).  Ball also has direct and indirect  investments,  which
are accounted for under the equity method, in packaging companies largely in the
PRC, Brazil and Thailand.

The aerospace and technologies segment includes: the aerospace systems division,
comprised  of civil  space  systems,  technology  operations,  defense  systems,
commercial space operations and systems engineering;  and the  telecommunication
products  division,   comprised  of  advanced  antenna  and  video  systems  and
communication and video products.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Summary of Business by Segment                                     Three Months           Three Months
  (dollars in millions)                                                Ended                  Ended
                                                                   April 4, 1999          March 29, 1998
                                                                  -----------------      -----------------
<S>                                                               <C>                    <C>
Net Sales
Packaging                                                            $    724.8             $    461.0
Aerospace and technologies                                                 95.5                   88.7
                                                                  -----------------      -----------------
   Consolidated net sales                                            $    820.3             $    549.7
                                                                   =================     =================

Earnings before interest and taxes
Packaging                                                           $      50.8            $      21.1
Aerospace and technologies                                                  6.2                    8.2
                                                                   -----------------     -----------------
   Segment earnings before interest and taxes                              57.0                   29.3
Headquarters relocation costs                                               -                     (6.3)
Corporate undistributed expenses, net                                      (4.2)                  (3.9)
                                                                   -----------------     -----------------
Earnings before interest and taxes                                         52.8                   19.1
Interest expense                                                          (28.2)                 (12.7)
Provision for income tax expense                                           (9.7)                  (3.2)
Minority interests                                                          0.5                    2.6
Equity in earnings (losses) of affiliates                                   0.3                   (0.3)
                                                                   -----------------     -----------------
   Consolidated net income before the cumulative effect of
     an accounting change in 1998                                    $     15.7            $       5.5
                                                                   =================     =================


                                                                       April 4,          December 31,
                                                                         1999                1998
                                                                   -----------------   -----------------

Net Investment
Packaging                                                             $ 1,183.6             $  1,164.3
Aerospace and technologies                                                146.8                  143.5
                                                                   -----------------     -----------------
   Segment net investment                                               1,330.4                1,307.8
Corporate net investment and eliminations                                (696.2)                (685.5)
                                                                   -----------------     -----------------
   Consolidated net investment                                       $    634.2               $  622.3
                                                                   =================     =================
</TABLE>



<PAGE>


Acquisitions.
On August 10,  1998,  Ball  acquired  substantially  all the assets and  assumed
certain liabilities of the North American beverage can manufacturing business of
Reynolds Metals Company (Acquisition).  The assets acquired consisted largely of
16 plants in 12 states and Puerto Rico. In connection with the Acquisition,  the
Company  initially  provided  $56.8  million in the opening  balance sheet as an
estimate of integration-related costs, including capacity consolidations. During
the first  quarter of 1999,  the Company  closed two of the acquired  plants and
announced  in April  1999 that it intends to close a third  plant.  Capacity  is
expected  to be  redirected  to other  Ball  plants.  Upon  finalization  of the
integration plan, which is expected in the third quarter of 1999, adjustments to
the  estimated  costs  through  August 9, 1999,  if any,  will be reflected as a
change in goodwill.  Subsequent to that date, any increases in actual costs will
be reflected as an adjustment to current period  earnings and any decreases will
result in a reduction of goodwill.

Headquarters  Relocation,  Plant Closures and Other Costs.
In  February  1998  Ball   announced   that  it  would  relocate  its  corporate
headquarters to an existing company-owned  building in Broomfield,  Colorado. In
connection  with the  relocation,  the  Company  recorded  a charge in the first
quarter of 1998 of $6.3 million  ($3.8 million after tax or 13 cents per share),
primarily for  employee-related  costs. The relocation costs were  substantially
complete by the end of 1998.

During the first quarter of 1999,  the Company  closed two of its plants located
in the PRC and removed  from service  manufacturing  equipment at a third plant.
The actions were taken to address industry overcapacity,  as well as uncertainty
in the Asian  financial  markets  which has resulted in a decrease in exports of
Company  products  from  Hong  Kong to  other  Asian  countries.  The  Company's
preliminary estimates included a $52.0 million,  largely noncash,  charge in the
fourth quarter of 1998 to write down equipment, goodwill and other assets to net
realizable  values  and $4.2  million of other  costs.  Any  adjustments  to the
preliminary  estimates  will be reflected  as an  adjustment  to current  period
earnings.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Inventories.
Inventories consisted of the following:

   (in millions of dollars)                                            April 4,           December 31,
                                                                         1999                 1998
                                                                   -----------------    ------------------
<S>                                                                <C>                  <C>
   Raw materials and supplies                                        $      136.8         $       131.2
   Work in process and finished goods                                       445.1                 352.6
                                                                   -----------------    ------------------

                                                                     $      581.9         $       483.8
                                                                   =================    ==================

Property, Plant and Equipment.
Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:

   (in millions of dollars)                                            April 4,           December 31,
                                                                         1999                 1998
                                                                   -----------------    ------------------

   Land                                                              $       61.4         $        62.2
   Buildings                                                                418.9                 410.5
   Machinery and equipment                                                1,408.7               1,410.2
                                                                   -----------------    ------------------
                                                                          1,889.0               1,882.9
   Accumulated depreciation                                                (730.9)               (708.5)
                                                                   -----------------    ------------------
                                                                     $    1,158.1         $     1,174.4
                                                                   =================    ==================



<PAGE>


Goodwill and Other Assets.
The composition of other assets was as follows:

   (in millions of dollars)                                            April 4,           December 31,
                                                                         1999                 1998
                                                                   -----------------    ------------------

   Goodwill                                                          $      533.8         $       555.9
   Other                                                                    236.8                 238.9
                                                                   -----------------    ------------------
                                                                     $      770.6         $       794.8
                                                                   =================    ==================
</TABLE>
Debt and Guarantees of Subsidiaries.
In connection with the Acquisition,  the Company refinanced approximately $521.9
million of its existing debt. The  Acquisition  and the  refinancing,  including
related costs,  were financed with a placement of $300.0 million in 7.75% Senior
Notes due in 2006, $250.0 million in 8.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due in 2008
and  approximately  $808.2  million from a Senior  Credit  Facility.  The Senior
Credit  Facility  bears  interest at variable  rates and is  comprised  of three
separate  facilities:  (1) a term loan for  $350.0  million  due in 2004,  (2) a
second  term loan for  $200.0  million  due in 2006 and (3) a  revolving  credit
facility which provides the Company with up to $600.0  million,  of which $450.0
million  matures  in 2004.  At April 4, 1999,  approximately  $339  million  was
available under the revolving credit facility.

On  January  27,  1999,  the  Company  exchanged  the  Senior  Notes and  Senior
Subordinated  Notes. The new notes are  substantially  identical in all respects
(including  principal  amount,  interest  rate,  maturity,  ranking and covenant
restrictions)  to the terms of the notes for which they were  exchanged,  except
that the new notes are registered  under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and  therefore  are not subject to certain  restrictions  on transfer  except as
described in the Prospectus for the Exchange Offer. The note agreements  provide
that if the new notes are assigned  investment  grade ratings and the Company is
not in default, certain covenant restrictions will be suspended.

The  Senior  Notes,   Senior  Subordinated  Notes  and  Senior  Credit  Facility
agreements are guaranteed on a full, unconditional,  and joint and several basis
by certain of the Company's domestic  subsidiaries and contain certain covenants
and  restrictions  including,  among other things,  limits on the  incurrence of
additional  indebtedness  and increases in dividends.  In addition,  all amounts
outstanding  under the  Senior  Credit  Facility  are secured by (1) a pledge of
100 percent of the stock owned  by  the  Company  of  its  direct  and  indirect
majority-owned domestic subsidiaries and (2) a pledge of 65 percent of the stock
owned  directly and indirectly by the Company of certain  foreign  subsidiaries.
Exhibit 20.1 contains  condensed,  consolidating  financial  information for the
Company segregating the guarantor subsidiaries and non-guarantor subsidiaries.

A receivables  sales  agreement  provides for the ongoing,  revolving  sale of a
designated  pool  of  trade  accounts   receivable  of  Ball's  U.S.   packaging
businesses. In December 1998 the designated pool of receivables was increased to
provide for sales of receivables up to $125 million from the previous  amount of
$75 million. Net funds received from the sale of the accounts receivable totaled
$119.5  million  and  $65.9  million  at April 4,  1999,  and  March  29,  1998,
respectively.  Fees incurred in connection with the sale of accounts receivable,
which are  included in other  expenses,  totaled $1.7 million in the first three
months of 1999 and $0.9 million in the first three months of 1998.

The Company was not in default of any loan  agreement at April 4, 1999,  and has
met  all  payment   obligations.   However,   Latapack-Ball   Embalagens   Ltda.
(Latapack-Ball),  the Company's 50 percent-owned equity affiliate in Brazil, was
in noncompliance with certain financial provisions,  including current and debt-
to-equity  ratios,  under a fixed term loan agreement of which $50.8 million was
outstanding  at the quarter end.  Latapack-Ball  has requested a waiver from the
lender in respect of the noncompliance.



<PAGE>


Shareholders' Equity.
The composition of the accumulated  other  comprehensive  loss at April 4, 1999,
and December 31, 1998, is primarily the  cumulative  effect of foreign  currency
translation and additional minimum pension liability. Total comprehensive income
was $17.7 million for the quarter ended April 4, 1999,  and $1.5 million for the
quarter  ended  March  29,  1998.   The   difference   between  net  income  and
comprehensive  income for each period represents the effects of foreign currency
translation.

Issued and outstanding  shares of the Series B ESOP Convertible  Preferred Stock
were 1,586,916 shares at both April 4, 1999, and December 31, 1998.


<PAGE>


Earnings Per Share.
The following  table  provides  additional  information  on the  computation  of
earnings per share amounts:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(Millions of dollars except                                                       Three months ended
   per share amounts)                                                    --------------------------------------
                                                                            April 4,             March 29,
                                                                              1999                  1998
                                                                         ----------------     -----------------
<S>                                                                      <C>                  <C>
Earnings per Common Share
Net income before accounting change                                         $     15.7            $      5.5
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for start-up costs, net
   of tax benefit                                                                  -                    (3.3)
                                                                         ----------------      ----------------
Net income                                                                        15.7                   2.2
Preferred dividends, net of tax benefit                                           (0.7)                 (0.7)
                                                                         ----------------      ----------------
Net earnings attributable to common shareholders                            $     15.0            $      1.5
                                                                         ================      ================

Weighted average common shares outstanding (000s)                               30,240                30,203
                                                                         ================      ================
Earnings per common share:
   Earnings per common share before accounting change                       $     0.50            $     0.16
   Cumulative effect of change in accounting for start-up costs,
     net of tax benefit                                                           -                    (0.11)
                                                                         ----------------      ----------------
   Earnings per common share                                                $     0.50            $     0.05
                                                                         ================      ================


Diluted Earnings Per Share
Net income before accounting change                                         $     15.7            $      5.5
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for start-up costs, net
   of tax benefit                                                                  -                    (3.3)
                                                                         ----------------      ----------------
Net income                                                                        15.7                   2.2
Adjustment for deemed ESOP cash contribution in lieu of the
   ESOP Preferred dividend                                                        (0.5)                 (0.5)
                                                                         ----------------      ----------------
Net earnings attributable to common shareholders                            $     15.2            $      1.7
                                                                         ================      ================

Weighted average common shares outstanding (000s)                               30,240                30,203
Effect of dilutive stock options                                                   438                   174
Common shares issuable upon conversion of the ESOP Preferred Stock               1,833                 1,889
                                                                         ----------------      ----------------
Weighted average shares applicable to diluted earnings per share                32,511                32,266
                                                                         ================      ================

Diluted earnings per share:
   Net income before accounting change                                      $     0.47            $     0.15
   Cumulative effect of change in accounting for start-up costs,
     net of tax benefit                                                            -                   (0.10)
                                                                         ----------------      ----------------
   Diluted earnings per share                                               $     0.47            $     0.05
                                                                         ================      ================
</TABLE>



<PAGE>


Contingencies.
The Company is subject to various risks and uncertainties in the ordinary course
of business due, in part, to the  competitive  nature of the industries in which
Ball  participates,  its  operations  in  developing  markets  outside the U.S.,
changing  commodity  prices for the  materials  used in the  manufacture  of its
products and changing capital markets.  Where practicable,  the Company attempts
to reduce  these  risks and  uncertainties  through  the  establishment  of risk
management  policies and  procedures,  including,  at times,  the use of certain
derivative financial instruments.

The U.S. government is disputing the Company's claim to recoverability (by means
of allocation to government  contracts)  of  reimbursed  costs  associated  with
Ball's ESOP for fiscal years 1989  through  1995,  as well as the  corresponding
prospective  costs accrued  after 1995.  The  government  will not reimburse the
Company for disputed  ESOP  expenses  incurred or accrued after 1995. A deferred
payment agreement for the costs reimbursed through 1995 was entered into between
the  government  and Ball. On October 10, 1995,  the Company filed its complaint
before the Armed  Services  Board of  Contract  Appeals  (ASBCA)  seeking  final
adjudication  of this matter.  Trial  before the ASBCA was  conducted in January
1997.  Since that time,  the Defense  Contract  Audit Agency (DCAA) has issued a
Draft Audit Report  disallowing a portion of the  Company's  ESOP costs for 1994
through 1997 on the asserted basis that the Company's dividend  contributions to
the ESOP do not  constitute  allowable  deferred  compensation.  The Draft Audit
Report takes the position  that the  disallowance  is not covered by the pending
decision  by the ASBCA.  While the  outcome of the trial or the audit is not yet
known, the Company's information at this time does not indicate that this matter
will have a material,  adverse effect upon the financial  condition,  results of
operations or competitive position of the Company.

From time to time, the Company is subject to routine litigation  incident to its
business.  Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated
Ball as a potentially  responsible  party,  along with numerous other companies,
for the  cleanup  of several  hazardous  waste  sites.  However,  the  Company's
information  at this time  does not  indicate  that  these  matters  will have a
material,  adverse effect upon the financial  condition,  results of operations,
capital expenditures or competitive position of the Company.



<PAGE>


Item 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS

Management's  discussion  and analysis  should be read in  conjunction  with the
unaudited  condensed  consolidated  financial  statements  and the  accompanying
notes.  Ball Corporation and subsidiaries are referred to collectively as "Ball"
or the "Company" in the following discussion and analysis.

ACQUISITIONS

On August 10,  1998,  Ball  acquired  substantially  all the assets and  assumed
certain liabilities of the North American beverage can manufacturing business of
Reynolds Metals Company (Acquisition).  The assets acquired consisted largely of
16 plants in 12 states and Puerto Rico. In connection with the Acquisition,  the
Company  initially  provided  $56.8  million in the opening  balance sheet as an
estimate of integration-related costs, including capacity consolidations. During
the first  quarter of 1999,  the Company  closed two of the acquired  plants and
announced  in April  1999 that it intends to close a third  plant.  Capacity  is
expected  to be  redirected  to other  Ball  plants.  Upon  finalization  of the
integration plan, which is expected in the third quarter of 1999, adjustments to
the  estimated  costs  through  August 9, 1999,  if any,  will be reflected as a
change in goodwill.  Subsequent to that date, any increases in actual costs will
be reflected as an adjustment to current period  earnings and any decreases will
result in a reduction of goodwill.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Consolidated Sales and Earnings
Ball's  operations  are  organized  along  its  product  lines and  include  two
segments:  (1) the  packaging  segment and (2) the  aerospace  and  technologies
segment. The following table summarizes the results of these two segments:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Three Months Ended
                                                                         -----------------------------------
                                                                           April 4,             March 29,
(dollars in millions)                                                        1999                 1998
                                                                         --------------      --------------
<S>                                                                      <C>                 <C>
Net Sales
North American metal beverage                                              $   525.0            $   261.0
North American metal food                                                       97.4                 94.8
Plastics                                                                        53.6                 48.5
International                                                                   48.8                 56.7
                                                                         --------------       --------------
   Total packaging segment                                                     724.8                461.0
Aerospace and technologies segment                                              95.5                 88.7
                                                                         --------------       --------------
   Consolidated net sales                                                  $   820.3            $   549.7
                                                                         ==============       ==============

Operating Earnings
Packaging                                                                  $    50.8            $    21.1
Aerospace and technologies                                                       6.2                  8.2
                                                                         --------------       --------------
   Consolidated operating earnings                                         $    57.0            $    29.3
                                                                         ==============       ==============
</TABLE>

Packaging Segment
The packaging  segment  includes the businesses that  manufacture  metal and PET
(polyethylene terephthalate) containers,  primarily for use in beverage and food
packaging.  The Company's  packaging  operations  are located in and serve North
America (the U.S. and Canada) and Asia, primarily the People's Republic of China
(PRC).  Packaging  operations in North America have increased as a result of the
plants acquired in 1998.

North American metal beverage container sales,  which represented  approximately
72  percent  of  segment  sales  in  the  first   quarter  of  1999,   increased
significantly  in  comparison  to the same  period  in 1998.  The  increase  was
primarily due to the  additional  sales from the acquired  plants as well as the
legacy  plants  running at full  capacity,  partially  offset by lower  aluminum
commodity  prices.  During the quarter,  two of the acquired plants were closed,
with  certain  related  production  capacity  redirected  to other Ball  plants.
Earnings  attributable to North American metal beverage containers also improved
in 1999 as a result of the higher sales combined with lower production costs per
unit.

North  American  metal  food  container  sales,  which  comprised  approximately
13  percent  of  segment  sales in the first quarter of 1999, increased slightly
over the same period in 1998. This increase was a combination  of sales to a new
nutriceutical  customer and stronger  sales in seasonal and  nonseasonal  lines.
Increased  production  volumes and  manufacturing  efficiency  gains resulted in
lower  production  costs per unit,  which,  along  with the  increase  in sales,
provided improved earnings over the first quarter of 1998.

Plastic container sales continued to increase with sales in the first quarter of
1999  approximately  11 percent  above the same period in 1998 when the business
was still  emerging  from  start-up.  The  increase  in sales was largely due to
additional soft drink production in a recently expanded facility.  The sales mix
continued to be heavily weighted toward  carbonated soft drinks,  although water
bottle demand and preform sales appear to be developing.  The 1999 first quarter
results of plastic  container  operations were  significantly  improved over the
same period in 1998 when it  operated at a loss.  The  improved  results  were a
combination  of  increased   sales,   improved   production   efficiencies   and
manufacturing cost control.

Internationally,  results in the PRC,  although not yet at desired levels,  were
improved as the supply of beverage  cans has begun to come more in balance  with
demand after several years of overcapacity. The closure of two plants in the PRC
during  the first  quarter  of 1999  contributed  to lower  sales.  Despite  the
decrease  in  sales,  however,  earnings  were  improved  due  largely  to lower
operating costs,  partially the result of reduced headcount and other fixed cost
reductions related to plant closures.

Aerospace and Technologies Segment
The aerospace and technologies segment recorded increased sales during the first
quarter of 1999 and was recently  awarded several new contracts in the aerospace
area.  Higher  aerospace sales and earnings in 1999 were the result of increased
program activity. Sales and earnings results were lower in the telecommunication
products area due in large part to costs to develop  antennas  which employ Ball
technology for wireless personal  communications  systems. The related sales had
not yet been  realized  to offset the costs,  which were  planned as part of the
Company's  strategy to extend into  commercial  markets key  technologies it has
developed in governmental business.  Backlog at the end of the first quarter was
approximately  $270 million  compared to $296 million at December 31, 1998,  and
$271 million at the end of the 1998 first quarter.  Year-to-year  comparisons of
backlog are not necessarily indicative of the trend of future operations.

Interest and Taxes
Consolidated  interest  expense for the first  quarter of 1999 was $28.2 million
compared  to $12.7  million  for the first  quarter  of 1998.  The  increase  is
primarily attributable to the additional debt associated with the Acquisition.

Ball's lower  consolidated  effective  income tax rate for the first  quarter of
1999, as compared to the same period in 1998, is primarily due to increased U.S.
earnings and the reduced tax effects of foreign operations,  partially offset by
the final phase-in effects of the previously reported 1996 legislated changes in
the tax treatment of the costs of company-owned life insurance.

<PAGE>



Results of Equity Affiliates and Minority Interests
Equity earnings in affiliates are largely attributable to those from investments
in the PRC, Thailand  and  Brazil  and  were  $0.3 million compared to a loss of
$0.3 million  for  the  first  quarter  of  1998.  Results  in  Brazil, although
profitable  for  the first  quarter of  1999,  were  hampered  by the  Brazilian
government's  change in its monetary  policy in January 1999,  which  caused the
Brazilian real to  devalue.  Results in  Thailand  were also negatively impacted
by currency exchange losses in that country.

Minority  interests'  share of losses were $0.5 million for the first quarter of
1999  compared to $2.6 million for the same period in 1998.  The decrease is due
primarily  to the  increase  in Ball's  direct and  indirect  ownership  in M.C.
Packaging (Hong Kong) Limited (M.C. Packaging).  During the latter part of 1998,
the Company's subsidiary,  FTB Packaging Limited, purchased substantially all of
the remaining direct and indirect minority interests in M.C. Packaging.

Other Items
In  February  1998  Ball   announced   that  it  would  relocate  its  corporate
headquarters to an existing company-owned  building in Broomfield,  Colorado. In
connection  with the  relocation,  the  Company  recorded  a charge in the first
quarter of 1998 of $6.3 million  ($3.8 million after tax or 13 cents per share),
primarily for  employee-related  costs. The relocation costs were  substantially
complete by the end of 1998.

During 1998,  Ball adopted  Statement of Position (SOP) No. 98-5,  "Reporting on
the  Costs  of  Start-Up   Activities,"   in  advance  of  its   required   1999
implementation date. SOP No. 98-5 requires that costs of start-up activities and
organizational  costs, as defined,  be expensed as incurred.  In accordance with
this  statement,  the  Company  recorded  an  after-tax  charge to  earnings  of
approximately $3.3 million (11 cents per share), retroactive to January 1, 1998,
representing the cumulative effect of this change in accounting on prior years.


FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash used by operations in 1999 of $109.3  million  increased  compared to 1998,
due largely to higher working capital  requirements,  partially offset by higher
depreciation in connection with the Reynolds  acquisition.  Capital  spending of
$21.5 million  in  the first three  months  of 1999  was  below  depreciation of
$35.5 million. Total 1999 capital spending is expected to be below $150 million.

Total  debt  increased  to  $1,499.1  million   at  April 4, 1999,  compared  to
$1,356.6  million  at  December 31, 1998,   primarily  due  to  an  increase  in
inventories  to  meet  seasonal  and  peak  period  demands.  The  debt-to-total
capitalization  ratio  rose  to 69.6 percent at April 4, 1999, from 67.7 percent
at December 31, 1998.

In  connection  with  the  Acquisition,  the  Company  refinanced  approximately
$521.9 million  of its  existing  debt. The  Acquisition  and  the  refinancing,
including  related costs,  were  financed with  a placement of $300.0 million in
7.75% Senior  Notes  due in  2006, $250.0 million  in  8.25% Senior Subordinated
Notes  due  in  2008  and  approximately  $808.2  million  from a Senior  Credit
Facility.  The Senior Credit Facility  bears  interest at variable  rates and is
comprised of three separate facilities:  (1) a term loan for $350.0 million  due
in  2004,  (2) a  second  term  loan for  $200.0  million  due in 2006 and (3) a
revolving credit facility which provides the Company with up to $600.0  million,
of  which  $450.0  million  matures in  2004.  At  April 4, 1999,  approximately
$339 million  was available under the revolving credit facility.

On  January  27,  1999,  the  Company  exchanged  the  Senior  Notes and  Senior
Subordinated  Notes. The new notes are  substantially  identical in all respects
(including  principal  amount,  interest  rate,  maturity,  ranking and covenant
restrictions)  to the terms of the notes for which they were  exchanged,  except
that the new notes are registered  under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
and  therefore  are not subject to certain  restrictions  on transfer  except as
described in the Prospectus for the Exchange Offer. The note agreements  provide
that if the new notes are assigned  investment  grade ratings and the Company is
not in default, certain covenant restrictions will be suspended.

The  Senior  Notes,   Senior  Subordinated  Notes  and  Senior  Credit  Facility
agreements are guaranteed on a full, unconditional,  and joint and several basis
by certain of the Company's domestic  subsidiaries and contain certain covenants
and  restrictions  including,  among other things,  limits on the  incurrence of
additional  indebtedness  and increases in dividends.  In addition,  all amounts
outstanding  under  the  Senior  Credit  Facility are secured by (1) a pledge of
100 percent of the stock owned  by  the  Company  of  its  direct  and  indirect
majority-owned domestic subsidiaries and (2) a pledge of 65 percent of the stock
owned directly and indirectly by the Company of certain foreign subsidiaries.

The Company's consolidated  operations in Asia had short-term uncommitted credit
facilities of  approximately  $131 million at the end of the first  quarter,  of
which $95 million was outstanding at April 4, 1999.

A receivables  sales  agreement  provides for the ongoing,  revolving  sale of a
designated  pool  of  trade  accounts   receivable  of  Ball's  U.S.   packaging
businesses. In December 1998 the designated pool of receivables was increased to
provide for sales of receivables up to $125 million from the previous  amount of
$75 million. Net funds received from the sale of the accounts receivable totaled
$119.5  million  and  $65.9  million  at April 4,  1999,  and  March  29,  1998,
respectively.  Fees incurred in connection with the sale of accounts receivable,
which are  included in other  expenses,  totaled $1.7 million in the first three
months of 1999 and $0.9 million in the first three months of 1998.

The Company was not in default of any loan  agreement at April 4, 1999,  and has
met  all  payment   obligations.   However,   Latapack-Ball   Embalagens   Ltda.
(Latapack-Ball),  the Company's 50 percent-owned equity affiliate in Brazil, was
in noncompliance with certain financial provisions,  including current and debt-
to-equity  ratios,  under a fixed term loan agreement of which $50.8 million was
outstanding  at the quarter end.  Latapack-Ball  has requested a waiver from the
lender in respect of the noncompliance.


CONTINGENCIES

Year 2000 Systems Review

Many computer  systems and other equipment with embedded chips or processors use
only two digits to  represent  the year and, as a result,  they may be unable to
process  accurately  certain  data before,  during or after the year 2000.  As a
result,   business   and   governmental   entities  are  at  risk  for  possible
miscalculations or system failures causing disruptions in their operations. This
is  commonly  known as the Year  2000  issue  and can  arise at any point in the
Company's supply, manufacturing, processing, distribution and financial chains.

Over the course of the past several years, systems  installations,  upgrades and
enhancements  were  performed by the Company in the ordinary  course of business
with  attention  given to Year 2000 matters.  As a result,  when the formal Year
2000 program was instituted in 1996,  many of the Year 2000 matters  potentially
affecting  the  Company had either been  resolved or were near  resolution.  The
program  currently in effect was  instituted to make the remaining  software and
systems Year 2000 compliant in time to minimize any significant negative effects
on  operations and  is divided  into six  major  phases: (1) project initiation,
(2) awareness, (3) assessment, (4) remediation,  (5) testing and (6) contingency
planning. The program covers information systems  infrastructure,  financial and
administrative systems,  process control and manufacturing operating systems and
the compliance  profiles of significant  vendors,  lenders and customers.  As of
April 1999, the Company  estimated that the program was approximately 90 percent
complete with regard to critical  systems,  and completion of the entire project
is on target for mid- to late 1999. International operations, for the most part,
are following the U.S. program,  and international  joint venture operations are
being assessed.


<PAGE>


Because  most of the  Company's  efforts  were  initiated  to  address  specific
business  requirements or to stay  technologically  current,  it is difficult to
quantify  costs  incurred  solely in  conjunction  with the Year  2000  project.
However,  certain  incremental  costs of  approximately  $2  million  have  been
identified,  including the purchase of software to manage the project,  software
to check  personal  computer  hardware and software  compliance,  and contractor
assistance. All such costs are being funded through operating cash flows.

Ball  relies on  third-party  suppliers  for raw  materials,  water,  utilities,
transportation,  banking and other key  services.  The  inability  of  principal
suppliers,  including utilities, to be Year 2000 ready could result in delays in
product  deliveries  from such  suppliers and disrupt the  Company's  ability to
supply its products.  Ball's  review  program  includes  efforts to evaluate the
status of suppliers'  and  customers'  efforts,  including,  but not limited to,
questionnaires as a means of identifying  risk. None of the suppliers  contacted
to date have indicated any compliance issues. However, the replies indicate that
most  suppliers,  vendors and customers will not provide any assurance that they
will be Year 2000 compliant.

A worst-case  scenario for the Company with respect to the Year 2000 issue could
be the failure of either a critical  vendor or the Company's  manufacturing  and
information  systems.  Such failures could result in production outages and lost
sales and profits.

The Company is developing  contingency  plans  intended to mitigate the possible
disruption of business operations that may result from external third-party Year
2000  issues.  Such  plans  may  include   accelerating  raw  material  delivery
schedules,  increasing  finished  goods  inventory  levels,  securing  alternate
sources of supply,  adjusting facility shutdown and start-up schedules and other
appropriate measures. The Company is currently prioritizing critical systems and
intends to have its contingency  plans in place by the end of the second quarter
of 1999.  The  contingency  plans and related cost  estimates will be refined as
additional information becomes available.

Due to the general  uncertainty  inherent in the Year 2000 issue,  resulting  in
part  from  the  uncertainty  of the  Year  2000  readiness  of the  third-party
suppliers  and  customers,  the  Company  is unable  to  determine  whether  the
consequences  of Year 2000 failures will have a material impact on the Company's
results of operations,  liquidity or financial  condition.  However, the Company
believes  that,  with the recent  implementation  of new  business  systems  and
completion  of  the  program  as  scheduled,   the  possibility  of  significant
interruptions of normal operations should be reduced.

The discussion of the Company's efforts and management's  expectations  relating
to Year  2000  compliance  contain  forward-looking  statements.  The  Company's
ability to achieve Year 2000 compliance and the level of associated  incremental
costs could be adversely  impacted by, among other things,  the availability and
cost of  programming  and  testing  resources,  the  ability  of  suppliers  and
customers to bring their systems into Year 2000  compliance,  and  unanticipated
problems identified in the ongoing compliance review.

The information  contained herein  regarding the Company's  efforts to deal with
the Year 2000 problem apply to all of the Company's products and services.  Such
statements  are  intended  as Year  2000  Statements  and  Year  2000  Readiness
Disclosures and are subject to the Year 2000  Information  Readiness  Disclosure
Act.

Other

The Company is subject to various risks and uncertainties in the ordinary course
of business due, in part, to the  competitive  nature of the industries in which
Ball  participates,  its  operations  in  developing  markets  outside the U.S.,
changing  commodity  prices for the  materials  used in the  manufacture  of its
products and changing capital markets.  Where practicable,  the Company attempts
to reduce  these  risks and  uncertainties  through  the  establishment  of risk
management  policies and  procedures,  including,  at times,  the use of certain
derivative financial instruments.

The U.S. government is disputing the Company's claim to recoverability (by means
of allocation to government  contracts)  of  reimbursed  costs  associated  with
Ball's ESOP for fiscal years 1989  through  1995,  as well as the  corresponding
prospective  costs accrued  after 1995.  The  government  will not reimburse the
Company for disputed  ESOP  expenses  incurred or accrued after 1995. A deferred
payment agreement for the costs reimbursed through 1995 was entered into between
the  government  and Ball. On October 10, 1995,  the Company filed its complaint
before the Armed  Services  Board of  Contract  Appeals  (ASBCA)  seeking  final
adjudication  of this matter.  Trial  before the ASBCA was  conducted in January
1997.  Since that time,  the Defense  Contract  Audit Agency (DCAA) has issued a
Draft Audit Report  disallowing a portion of the  Company's  ESOP costs for 1994
through 1997 on the asserted basis that the Company's dividend  contributions to
the ESOP do not  constitute  allowable  deferred  compensation.  The Draft Audit
Report takes the position  that the  disallowance  is not covered by the pending
decision  by the ASBCA.  While the  outcome of the trial or the audit is not yet
known, the Company's information at this time does not indicate that this matter
will have a material,  adverse effect upon the financial  condition,  results of
operations or competitive position of the Company.

From time to time, the Company is subject to routine litigation  incident to its
business.  Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated
Ball as a potentially  responsible  party,  along with numerous other companies,
for the  cleanup  of several  hazardous  waste  sites.  However,  the  Company's
information  at this time  does not  indicate  that  these  matters  will have a
material,  adverse effect upon the financial  condition,  results of operations,
capital expenditures or competitive position of the Company.


Item 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

In the  ordinary  course of  business,  the  Company  employs  established  risk
management  policies and  procedures  to reduce its exposure to commodity  price
changes,  changes in interest rates and fluctuations in foreign currencies.  The
Company's  objective in managing its exposure to commodity  price  changes is to
limit the impact of  commodity  price  changes on earnings and cash flow through
arrangements  with  suppliers,  and,  at  times,  through  the  use  of  certain
derivative instruments designated as hedges. The Company's objective in managing
its exposure to interest  rate  changes is to limit the impact of interest  rate
changes on earnings and cash flow and to lower its overall  borrowing  costs. To
achieve  these  objectives,  the Company  primarily  uses  interest  rate swaps,
collars and options to manage the Company's mix of floating and fixed-rate  debt
between a minimum and maximum percentage,  which is set by policy. The Company's
objective  in managing  its  exposure  to foreign  currency  fluctuations  is to
protect foreign cash flow and reduce earnings volatility associated with foreign
currency exchange rate changes.

The Company has estimated its market risk exposure using  sensitivity  analysis.
Market  risk  exposure  has  been  defined  as the  change  in fair  value  of a
derivative  instrument  assuming a  hypothetical  10 percent  adverse  change in
market prices or rates.  The results of the sensitivity  analyses as of April 4,
1999,  did not differ  materially  from the amounts  reported as of December 31,
1998.  Actual  changes in market  prices or rates may differ  from  hypothetical
changes.



<PAGE>


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The  Company  has made or implied  certain  forward-looking  statements  in this
report. These  forward-looking  statements represent the Company's goals and are
based on certain  assumptions  and estimates  regarding  the worldwide  economy,
specific industry  technological  innovations,  industry  competitive  activity,
interest rates,  capital  expenditures,  pricing,  currency  movements,  product
introductions and the development of certain domestic and international markets.
Some factors that could cause the Company's actual results or outcomes to differ
materially from those discussed in the forward-looking  statements include,  but
are not limited to, fluctuation in customer growth and demand; the weather; fuel
costs and  availability;  regulatory  action;  federal  and  state  legislation;
interest  rates;  labor  strikes;  boycotts;   litigation  involving  antitrust,
intellectual  property,  consumer  and other  issues;  maintenance  and  capital
expenditures;  local economic conditions; the authorization and control over the
availability  of government  contracts and the nature and  continuation of those
contracts  and  related  services  provided  thereunder;  the success or lack of
success of the satellite launches and business of EarthWatch; the devaluation of
international  currencies;  the ability to obtain adequate credit  resources for
foreseeable financing requirements of the Company's businesses; the inability of
the  Company to achieve  year 2000  compliance;  the  ability of the  Company to
acquire  other  businesses.  If the  Company's  assumptions  and  estimates  are
incorrect,  or if it is unable to achieve its goals,  then the Company's  actual
performance  could vary  materially from those goals expressed or implied in the
forward-looking statements.


<PAGE>


PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

On January 27, 1999, Plastic Solutions of Texas, Inc. (PST) and Kurt H. Ruppman,
Sr.  (Ruppman)  filed  a  Statement  of  Claim  with  the  American  Arbitration
Association alleging the Company breached a contract between the Company and PST
and  Ruppman  relating  to the  grant of a license  under  certain  patents  and
technology  owned by PST and Ruppman  relating to the use of  cryogenics  in the
manufacture of hot fill PET bottles. The claim seeks termination of the contract
and  damages  for  breach  of  the  contract.   The  Statement  of  Claim  seeks
compensatory  damages of not less than $4.1 million and punitive  damages of not
less than $1 million. The Company has filed an answer and counterclaim. Based on
the information,  or lack thereof, available to the Company at the present time,
the  Company is unable to express  an opinion as to the actual  exposure  of the
Company for the matter.

In 1998 various  consumers filed toxic tort litigation in the Superior Court for
Los Angeles County (Trial Court) against  various water  companies  operating in
the San Gabriel Valley Basin. The water companies  petitioned the Trial Court to
remove this action to the  California  Public  Utilities  Commission.  The Trial
Court agreed.  The plaintiffs  appealed this decision to the California Court of
Appeals.  Pending  completion of the appellate  process,  the Trial Court stayed
further action in this  litigation  except that the plaintiffs were permitted to
add  additional  defendants.  The  Trial  Court  consolidated  the six  separate
lawsuits in the Northeast District  (Pasadena) and designated the case of Adler,
et al. v. Southern  California Water Company,  et al., as the lead case. In late
March 1999,  Ball-Foster Glass Container Co., L.L.C.  (Ball-Foster Glass), which
the Company no longer owns,  received a summons and amended  complaint  based on
its  ownership  of the El Monte glass  plant.  Ball-Foster  Glass  tendered  the
lawsuit to the  Company  for  defense  and  indemnity.  The  Company has in turn
tendered this lawsuit to its liability  carrier,  Commercial  Union, for defense
and  indemnity.  Based on the  information,  or lack  thereof,  available to the
Company at the present  time,  the Company is unable to express an opinion as to
the actual  exposure  of the Company for this  matter.  Plaintiffs  appear to be
proceeding to join all companies which are alleged to be Potentially Responsible
Parties in the various operable units in the San Gabriel Valley Superfund Site.

On March 19,  1999,  the  Lemelson  Medical,  Education  & Research  Foundation,
Limited  Partnership  (Lemelson)  gave  notice to the  Company  that the Company
allegedly  infringed  certain  patents owned by that entity which are alleged to
cover machine vision and automatic  identification equipment (Auto ID). Lemelson
alleges that the patented  machine vision  methods cover product  inspection and
production  control  operations  including  inspection  for flaws or defects and
conformance with specifications and standards. Auto ID allegedly covers bar code
recognition. Lemelson also claims that it has patents pending that broadly cover
something that is referred to as flexible manufacturing.

Lemelson has offered the Company a license under all patents owned or controlled
by Lemelson, with certain exceptions. Through the purchase of the North American
beverage can manufacturing  business of Reynolds Metals Company, the Company has
also been  granted an option for a license,  which the  Company is  considering.
Based on the  information,  or lack  thereof,  available  to the  Company at the
present  time,  the  Company  is unable to  express  an opinion as to the actual
exposure of the Company for this matter.


Item 2.  Changes in securities

There were no events required to be reported under Item 2 for the quarter ending
April 4, 1999.




<PAGE>


Item 3.  Defaults upon senior securities

There were no events required to be reported under Item 3 for the quarter ending
April 4, 1999.


Item 4.  Submission of matters to a vote of security holders

There were no events required to be reported under Item 4 for the quarter ending
April 4, 1999.


Item 5.  Other information

There were no events required to be reported under Item 5 for the quarter ending
April 4, 1999.


Item 6.  Exhibits and reports on Form 8-K

(a)      Exhibits

            20.1           Subsidiary Guarantees of Debt
            27.1           Financial Data Schedule
            99.1           Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities
                           Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended.

(b)      Reports on Form 8-K

         There were no  Current  Reports  on Form 8-K filed  during the  quarter
         ending April 4, 1999.



<PAGE>



                                   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.

Ball Corporation
(Registrant)


By:      /s/ R. David Hoover
         R. David Hoover
         Vice Chairman and
           Chief Financial Officer


Date:       May 14, 1999


<PAGE>




                        Ball Corporation and Subsidiaries
                          QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
                                  April 4, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

          Description                                       Exhibit
                                                         -------------
<S>                                                      <C>
Subsidiary Guarantees of Debt (Filed herewith.)             EX-20.1

Financial Data Schedule (Filed herewith.)                   EX-27.1

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities
     Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended.
     (Filed herewith.)                                      EX-99.1
</TABLE>




EXHIBIT 20.1


                          Subsidiary Guarantees of Debt

The Company's Senior Notes, Senior Subordinated Notes and Senior Credit Facility
agreements are guaranteed on a full, unconditional,  and joint and several basis
by certain of the Company's domestic  subsidiaries.  The following is condensed,
consolidating  financial information for the Company,  segregating the guarantor
subsidiaries and non-guarantor  subsidiaries,  as of April 4, 1999, and December
31, 1998,  and for the  three-month  periods ended April 4, 1999,  and March 29,
1998 (in millions of dollars). Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified
in order to conform with the current year presentation.

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         April 4, 1999
                                          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Ball         Guarantor     Non-Guarantor     Eliminating   Consolidated
                                          Corporation    Subsidiaries    Subsidiaries      Adjustments       Total
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>            <C>               <C>            <C>
  ASSETS
  Current assets
    Cash and temporary investments         $       7.1    $       0.5    $       34.5      $        -     $       42.1
    Accounts receivable, net                       4.8          228.4            80.1               -            313.3
    Inventories, net                               -            465.0           116.9               -            581.9
    Deferred income tax benefits and
      prepaid expenses                           101.1           77.8            12.5            (106.0)         85.4
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
      Total current assets                       113.0          771.7           244.0            (106.0)        1,022.7
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------

  Property, plant and equipment, at cost          24.8        1,477.8           386.4               -          1,889.0
  Accumulated depreciation                       (12.0)        (631.4)          (87.5)              -           (730.9)
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
                                                  12.8          846.4           298.9               -          1,158.1
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
  Investment in subsidiaries                     922.9          336.1            10.0          (1,269.0)           -
  Investment in affiliates                         6.1            2.1            73.2               -             81.4
  Goodwill, net                                    -            412.9           120.9               -            533.8
  Other assets                                    94.4           42.7            18.3               -            155.4
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
                                           $   1,149.2    $   2,411.9    $      765.3      $   (1,375.0)  $    2,951.4
                                          =============  ============== ================  ============== ==============

  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Current liabilities
    Short-term debt and current portion
      of long-term debt                    $      82.5    $       -      $       96.3      $        -     $      178.8
    Accounts payable                              13.5          276.4            58.2               -            348.1
    Salaries and wages                             8.1           55.9             6.1               -             70.1
    Other current liabilities                     35.3          136.6            40.9            (106.0)         106.8
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
      Total current liabilities                  139.4          468.9           201.5            (106.0)         703.8
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------

    Long-term debt                             1,296.2           10.5            13.6               -          1,320.3
    Intercompany borrowings                   (1,022.5)         865.3           157.2               -              -
    Employee benefit obligations,
      deferred income taxes and other            101.9          114.4            56.2               -            272.5
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
      Total noncurrent liabilities               375.6          990.2           227.0               -          1,592.8
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------

  Contingencies
  Minority interests                               -              -              20.6               -             20.6
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
  Shareholders' equity
    Series B ESOP Convertible
      Preferred Stock                             58.3            -               -                 -             58.3
    Convertible preferred stock                    -              -             179.6            (179.6)           -
    Unearned compensation - ESOP                 (29.5)           -               -                 -            (29.5)
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
      Preferred shareholders' equity              28.8            -             179.6            (179.6)          28.8
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------

    Common stock (35,062,827 shares
      issued)                                    375.5          821.9           186.8          (1,008.7)         375.5
    Retained earnings                            408.4          132.9           (26.8)           (106.1)         408.4
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss         (29.7)          (2.0)          (23.4)             25.4          (29.7)
    Treasury stock, at cost (4,613,905
      shares)                                   (148.8)           -               -                 -           (148.8)
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
      Common shareholders' equity                605.4          952.8           136.6          (1,089.4)         605.4
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
         Total shareholders' equity              634.2          952.8           316.2          (1,269.0)         634.2
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
                                           $   1,149.2    $   2,411.9    $      765.3      $   (1,375.0)  $    2,951.4
                                          =============  ============== ================  ============== ==============

</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                   CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       December 31, 1998
                                          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Ball         Guarantor     Non-Guarantor     Eliminating   Consolidated
                                          Corporation    Subsidiaries    Subsidiaries      Adjustments       Total
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>            <C>               <C>            <C>
  ASSETS
  Current assets
    Cash and temporary investments         $      11.6    $       0.5    $       21.9      $        -     $       34.0
    Accounts receivable, net                       3.5          194.1            75.9               -            273.5
    Inventories, net                               -            382.5           101.3               -            483.8
    Deferred income tax benefits and
      prepaid expenses                            94.8           76.9            19.4             (96.8)          94.3
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
      Total current assets                       109.9          654.0           218.5             (96.8)         885.6
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------

  Property, plant and equipment, at cost          35.5        1,471.5           375.9               -          1,882.9
  Accumulated depreciation                       (19.8)        (606.0)          (82.7)              -           (708.5)
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
                                                  15.7          865.5           293.2               -          1,174.4
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
  Investment in subsidiaries                   1,241.2            0.7             4.8          (1,246.7)           -
  Investment in affiliates                         5.8            2.2            72.9               -             80.9
  Goodwill, net                                    -            431.1           124.8               -            555.9
  Other assets                                    97.1           42.5            18.4               -            158.0
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
                                           $   1,469.7    $   1,996.0    $      732.6      $   (1,343.5)  $    2,854.8
                                          =============  ============== ================  ============== ==============

  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Current liabilities
    Short-term debt and current portion
      of long-term debt                    $      31.1    $       -      $       95.7      $        -     $      126.8
    Accounts payable                              48.3          251.2            50.8               -            350.3
    Salaries and wages                            14.1           75.1             7.9               -             97.1
    Other current liabilities                     46.1          121.7            42.4             (96.8)         113.4
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
      Total current liabilities                  139.6          448.0           196.8             (96.8)         687.6
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------

    Long-term debt                             1,195.4           10.5            23.9               -          1,229.8
    Intercompany borrowings                     (596.6)         477.3           119.3               -              -
    Employee benefit obligations,
      deferred income taxes and other            109.0          126.5            55.2               -            290.7
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
      Total noncurrent liabilities               707.8          614.3           198.4               -          1,520.5
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------

  Contingencies
  Minority interests                               -              -              24.4               -             24.4
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
  Shareholders' equity
    Series B ESOP Convertible Preferred
      Stock                                       57.2            -               -                 -             57.2
    Convertible preferred stock                    -              -             174.6            (174.6)           -
    Unearned compensation - ESOP                 (29.5)           -               -                 -            (29.5)
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
      Preferred shareholders' equity              27.7            -             174.6            (174.6)          27.7
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------

    Common stock (34,859,636 shares
      issued)                                    368.4          821.7           187.9          (1,009.6)         368.4
    Retained earnings                            397.9          114.3           (24.5)            (89.8)         397.9
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss         (31.7)          (2.3)          (25.0)             27.3          (31.7)
    Treasury stock, at cost (4,404,758
      shares)                                   (140.0)           -               -                 -           (140.0)
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
      Common shareholders' equity                594.6          933.7           138.4          (1,072.1)         594.6
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
         Total shareholders' equity              622.3          933.7           313.0          (1,246.7)         622.3
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
                                           $   1,469.7    $   1,996.0    $      732.6      $   (1,343.5)  $    2,854.8
                                          =============  ============== ================  ============== ==============
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                                          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            For the Three months Ended April 4, 1999
                                          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Ball         Guarantor     Non-Guarantor     Eliminating   Consolidated
                                          Corporation    Subsidiaries    Subsidiaries      Adjustments       Total
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>            <C>               <C>            <C>
  Net sales                                  $     -       $    774.2     $      94.9       $     (48.8)    $    820.3
  Costs and expenses
    Cost of sales (excluding
      depreciation and amortization)               -            661.4            79.3             (48.8)         691.9
    Depreciation and amortization                  0.8           32.6             8.1               -             41.5
    Selling and administrative expenses            1.6           23.2             5.7               -             30.5
    Product development and other                  -              3.6             -                 -              3.6
    Interest expense                              15.5            9.9             2.8               -             28.2
    Equity in earnings of subsidiaries           (16.3)           -               -                16.3            -
    Corporate allocations                        (12.6)          12.6             -                 -              -
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
                                                 (11.0)         743.3            95.9             (32.5)         795.7
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
  Income (loss) before taxes on income            11.0           30.9            (1.0)            (16.3)          24.6
  Provision for taxes on income                    4.4          (12.3)           (1.8)              -             (9.7)
  Minority interests                               -              -               0.5               -              0.5
  Equity in earnings of affiliates                 0.3            -               -                 -              0.3
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
  Net income (loss)                               15.7           18.6            (2.3)            (16.3)          15.7
  Preferred dividends, net of tax benefit         (0.7)           -               -                 -             (0.7)
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
    Net earnings (loss) attributable to
    common shareholders                      $    15.0     $     18.6     $      (2.3)      $     (16.3)    $     15.0
                                          =============  ============== ================  ============== ==============
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                                          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           For the Three months Ended March 29, 1998
                                          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Ball         Guarantor     Non-Guarantor     Eliminating   Consolidated
                                          Corporation    Subsidiaries    Subsidiaries      Adjustments       Total
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>            <C>               <C>            <C>
  Net sales                                  $     -       $    498.0     $     101.2       $     (49.5)    $    549.7
  Costs and expenses
    Cost of sales (excluding
      depreciation and amortization)               -            431.2            84.5             (49.5)         466.2
    Depreciation and amortization                  0.7           20.2             8.5               -             29.4
    Selling and administrative expenses           (0.5)          17.5             8.4               -             25.4
    Product development and other                  -              3.3             -                                3.3
    Headquarters relocation costs                  6.3            -               -                 -              6.3
    Interest expense                               8.8           (1.9)            5.8               -             12.7
    Equity in earnings of subsidiaries            (4.2)           -               -                 4.2            -
    Corporate allocations                         (9.6)           9.6             -                 -              -
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
                                                   1.5          479.9           107.2             (45.3)         543.3
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
  Income (loss) before taxes on income            (1.5)          18.1            (6.0)             (4.2)           6.4
  Provision for taxes on income                    6.7           (8.5)           (1.4)              -             (3.2)
  Minority interests                               -              -               2.6               -              2.6
  Equity in earnings (losses) of                   
    affiliates                                     0.1            -              (0.4)              -             (0.3)
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
  Net income (loss) before accounting
    change                                         5.3            9.6            (5.2)             (4.2)           5.5
  Cumulative effect of accounting change           -             (1.6)           (1.7)              -             (3.3)
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
  Net income (loss)                                5.3            8.0            (6.9)             (4.2)           2.2
  Preferred dividends, net of tax benefit         (0.7)           -               -                 -             (0.7)
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
    Net earnings (loss) attributable to
    common shareholders                      $     4.6     $      8.0     $      (6.9)      $      (4.2)    $      1.5
                                          =============  ============== ================  ============== ==============

</TABLE>
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                                          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            For the Three months Ended April 4, 1999
                                          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Ball         Guarantor     Non-Guarantor     Eliminating   Consolidated
                                          Corporation    Subsidiaries    Subsidiaries      Adjustments       Total
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>            <C>               <C>            <C>
  Cash flows from operating activities
    Net income (loss)                        $    15.7     $     18.6     $      (2.3)      $     (16.3)    $     15.7
    Reconciliation of net income (loss)
      to net cash used in operating
      activities:
      Depreciation and amortization                0.8           32.6             8.1               -             41.5
      Equity earnings of subsidiaries            (16.3)           -               -                16.3            -
      Other, net                                   2.3           12.3             0.4               -             15.0
    Changes in working capital
      components                                 (22.8)        (143.6)          (15.1)              -           (181.5)
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
      Net cash used in operating
          activities                             (20.3)         (80.1)           (8.9)              -           (109.3)
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------

  Cash flows from investing activities
    Additions to property, plant and
      equipment                                   (0.3)         (14.5)           (6.7)              -            (21.5)
    Investments in and advances to
      affiliates, net                           (133.0)          93.6            39.4               -              -
    Other, net                                     3.7            1.0            (1.5)              -              3.2
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
      Net cash provided by (used in)
         investing activities                   (129.6)          80.1            31.2               -            (18.3)
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------

  Cash flows from financing activities
    Net change in long-term debt                 104.5            -             (12.0)              -             92.5
    Net change in short-term debt                 47.7            -               2.3               -             50.0
    Common and preferred dividends                (4.5)           -               -                 -             (4.5)
    Net proceeds from issuance of common
      stock under various employee and
      shareholder plans                            7.0            -               -                 -              7.0
    Acquisitions of treasury stock                (8.8)           -               -                 -             (8.8)
    Other, net                                    (0.5)           -               -                 -             (0.5)
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
      Net cash provided by (used in)
         financing activities                    145.4            -              (9.7)              -            135.7
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------

  Net increase (decrease) in cash and
      temporary investments                       (4.5)           -              12.6               -              8.1
    Cash and temporary investments:
      Beginning of period                         11.6            0.5            21.9               -             34.0
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
      End of period                          $     7.1     $      0.5     $      34.5       $       -       $     42.1
                                          =============  ============== ================  ============== ==============
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                                          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           For the Three months Ended March 29, 1998
                                          -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Ball         Guarantor     Non-Guarantor     Eliminating   Consolidated
                                          Corporation    Subsidiaries    Subsidiaries      Adjustments       Total
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>            <C>               <C>            <C>
  Cash flows from operating activities
    Net income (loss)                        $     5.3     $      8.0     $      (6.9)      $     (4.2)    $      2.2
    Reconciliation of net income (loss)
      to net cash provided by (used in)
      operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization                0.7           20.2             8.5              -             29.4
      Headquarters relocation costs                6.3            -               -                -              6.3
      Equity earnings of subsidiaries             (4.2)           -               -                4.2            -
      Other, net                                   2.8            2.4             2.0              -              7.2
    Changes in working capital
      components, excluding effect of
      acquisitions                                11.7          (66.0)           (3.1)             -            (57.4)
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
      Net cash provided by (used in)
           operating activities                   22.6          (35.4)            0.5              -            (12.3)
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------

  Cash flows from investing activities
    Additions to property, plant and
      equipment                                   (0.4)         (12.6)           (3.9)             -            (16.9)
    Intercompany capital contributions
      and transactions                           (45.2)          52.0            (6.8)             -              -
    Other, net                                     1.0            0.2            (1.6)             -             (0.4)
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
      Net cash provided by (used in)
         investing activities                    (44.6)          39.6           (12.3)             -            (17.3)
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------

  Cash flows from financing activities
    Net change in long-term debt                   -             (3.9)           (3.8)             -             (7.7)
    Net change in short-term debt                 29.0            -              27.5              -             56.5
    Common and preferred dividends                (4.5)           -               -                -             (4.5)
    Net proceeds from issuance of common
      stock under various employee and
      shareholder plans                            5.1            -               -                -              5.1
    Acquisitions of treasury stock                (2.5)           -               -                -             (2.5)
    Other, net                                    (0.5)           -              (1.0)             -             (1.5)
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
      Net cash provided by (used in)
         financing activities                     26.6           (3.9)           22.7              -             45.4
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------

  Net increase in cash and temporary
         investments                               4.6            0.3            10.9              -             15.8
    Cash and temporary investments:
      Beginning of period                          4.2            0.5            20.8              -             25.5
                                          -------------  -------------- ----------------  -------------- --------------
      End of period                          $     8.8     $      0.8     $      31.7       $      -       $     41.3
                                          =============  ============== ================  ============== ==============
</TABLE>

<PAGE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>





<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
EXHIBIT 27.1

                                BALL CORPORATION
                             FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE

THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
UNAUDITED CONDENSED  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
APRIL 4, 1999,  AND THE  UNAUDITED  CONDENSED  CONSOLIDATED  BALANCE SHEET AS OF
APRIL 4, 1999,  AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH  FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                                        <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                    3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               APR-04-1999
<CASH>                                          42,100
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  313,300
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                    581,900
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                             1,022,700
<PP&E>                                       1,889,000
<DEPRECIATION>                                (730,900)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               2,951,400
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          703,800
<BONDS>                                      1,320,300
                                0
                                     28,800
<COMMON>                                       375,500
<OTHER-SE>                                     229,900
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 2,951,400
<SALES>                                        820,300
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               820,300
<CGS>                                          726,100
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  726,100
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              28,200
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 24,600
<INCOME-TAX>                                     9,700
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             15,700
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    15,700
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.50
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.47
        

</TABLE>


Exhibit 99.1

               SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES
                          LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

In  connection  with  the  safe  harbor  provisions  of the  Private  Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the Reform Act), Ball is hereby filing cautionary
statements  identifying important factors that could cause Ball's actual results
to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements of Ball.
Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations contains forward-looking statements, and many of these statements are
contained in Part I, Item 2, "Business".  The Reform Act defines forward-looking
statements  as  statements  that express or imply an  expectation  or belief and
contain a  projection,  plan or  assumption  with regard to, among other things,
future  revenues,   income,  earnings  per  share  or  capital  structure.  Such
statements of future events or performance  involve  estimates,  assumptions and
uncertainties  and are  qualified  in their  entirety by  reference  to, and are
accompanied by, the following  important  factors that could cause Ball's actual
results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking  statements
made by or on behalf of Ball.

Some  important  factors that could cause Ball's  actual  results or outcomes to
differ  materially  from  those  discussed  in  the  forward-looking  statements
include,  but are not limited  to,  fluctuation  in customer  growth and demand;
weather;  fuel costs and  availability;  regulatory  action;  Federal  and State
legislation;  interest  rates;  labor strikes;  boycotts,  litigation  involving
antitrust,  intellectual  property,  consumer and other issues;  maintenance and
capital expenditures and local economic conditions.  In addition, Ball's ability
to have  available  an  appropriate  amount of  production  capacity in a timely
manner can  significantly  impact Ball's  financial  performance.  The timing of
deregulation  and  competition,   product   development  and  introductions  and
technology changes are also important potential factors. Other important factors
include the following:

Difficulties in obtaining raw materials,  supplies,  power and natural resources
needed  for  the  production  of  metal  and  plastic   containers  as  well  as
telecommunications  and aerospace  products  could affect Ball's ability to ship
containers and telecommunications and aerospace products.

The pricing of raw materials,  supplies,  power and natural resources needed for
the production of metal and plastic containers as well as telecommunications and
aerospace  products,  pricing  and  ability  to sell scrap  associated  with the
production  of  metal  containers  and the  effect  of  changes  in the  cost of
warehousing  the  Company's   products  could  adversely  affect  the  Company's
financial performance.

Technological or market  acceptance issues regarding the business of EarthWatch,
performance failures and related contracts or subcontracts,  the success or lack
of success of the  satellite  launches and business of EarthWatch or the failure
of EarthWatch to receive additional  financing needed for EarthWatch to continue
to make payments.

The inability to achieve technological advances in the Company's businesses. The
inability of the Company to achieve Year 2000 compliance.

Cancellation  or  termination of government  contracts for the U.S.  Government,
other customers or other government contractors.

The  effects  of,  and  changes  in,  laws,  regulations,  other  activities  of
governments   (including  political  situations  and  inflationary   economies),
agencies  and  similar  organizations,  including,  but not  limited  to,  those
effecting frequency,  use and availability of metal and plastic containers,  the
authorization and control over the availability of government  contracts and the
nature and  continuation  of those contracts and the related  services  provided
thereunder,  the  use of  remote  sensing  data  and  changes  in  domestic  and
international  tax  laws  could  negatively   impact  the  Company's   financial
performance.



<PAGE>


The  effects of changes in the  Company's  organization  or in the  compensation
and/or benefit plans; any changes in agreements  regarding  investments or joint
ventures in which the Company has an  investment;  the ability of the Company to
acquire other businesses;  the amount,  type or cost of the Company's  financing
and  changes  to  that  financing  could  adversely   impact  Ball's   financial
performance.

Risks  involved in  purchasing  and selling  products and services and receiving
payments  in  currencies  other  than  the  U.S.  dollar.   The  devaluation  of
international currencies and the ability to obtain adequate credit resources for
foreseeable financing requirements of the Company's businesses.


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