8-K

                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



                                    FORM 8-K


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


         Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): June 25, 2001


                             BURKE INDUSTRIES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

       California                   333-36675                   94-3081144
(State or other jurisdiction       (Commission                 (IRS Employer
     of incorporation)             File Number)              Identification No.)

                         13767 Freeway Drive              90670
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code (800) 221-0923





ITEM 3.  BANKRUPTCY OR RECEIVERSHIP.

As more fully described in the attached press release, on June 25, 2001 Burke
Industries, Inc. filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11
of the United States Bankruptcy Code.

ITEM 7.  EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number and Description

99.1     Press release.






                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                        BURKE INDUSTRIES, INC.



                                        By: /s/ STEPHEN G. GEANE
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Stephen G. Geane
                                            Chief Financial Officer

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BURKE INDUSTRIES INC. FILES VOLUNTARY PETITION UNDER CHAPTER 11 OF THE
BANKRUPTCY CODE

SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA - (Business Wire) - June 25, 2001 - Burke Industries, Inc.
announced today that the Company has filed a voluntary petition for relief under
Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
District of New Jersey. Burke Industries, Inc. is a leading, diversified
manufacturer of highly engineered organic, silicone and vinyl based products for
commercial construction, aerospace and other industrial markets. The Company
markets its products under the BurkeMercer, Burkeline, Haskon, Purosil and SFS
brand names.

The combination of a general economic downturn and rapidly increasing cost of
utilities, insurance, certain raw materials and other overhead all contributed
to the need for a Chapter 11 filing. The Company thoroughly analyzed all of its
available options and concluded that a reorganization under Chapter 11 is the
only way to secure additional operating liquidity and financing, stabilize the
Company's financial condition, and maintain sufficient flexibility to
restructure its debt while continuing to execute its business plan.

The Company has secured a commitment for Debtor-In-Possession financing from
Bank of America, subject to court approval. The Company believes that the
financing package will, among other things, provide ample funding to maintain
normalized business relationships with its vendors and maintain uninterrupted
supply of products to its customers. While operating under the protection of
Chapter 11, the Company will seek to increase operating liquidity and continue
the operating and financial restructuring it began in 2000.