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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000914760-00-000100.txt : 20000421
<SEC-HEADER>0000914760-00-000100.hdr.sgml : 20000421
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000914760-00-000100
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20000420
ITEM INFORMATION:		
ITEM INFORMATION:		
FILED AS OF DATE:		20000420

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			COACHMEN INDUSTRIES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000021212
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	MOTOR HOMES [3716]
		IRS NUMBER:				351101097
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-07160
		FILM NUMBER:		606113

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		601 E BEARDSLEY AVE
		STREET 2:		P O BOX 3300
		CITY:			ELKHART
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46514
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2192620123

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		601 E BEARDSLEY AVE
		CITY:			ELKHART
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			46515
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<TEXT>


                       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): April 20, 2000
                                                         -----------------


                            COACHMEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


                                     Indiana
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)


                  1-7160                            35-1101097
- -----------------------------------       --------------------------------------
         (Commission File Number)        (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)


2831 Dexter Drive, Elkhart, Indiana                      46514
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)               (Zip Code)


                                 (219) 262-0123
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)


<PAGE>


ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

                  On April 20, 2000 the Company filed a press release responding
to recent statements made by Thor Industries, Inc.


ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

                  (a)      EXHIBITS

                  Exhibit
                  Number            Description

                  99.1              April 20, 2000 Press Release responding
                                    to recent statements made by
                                    Thor Industries, Inc.


<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

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


                                               COACHMEN INDUSTRIES, INC.


                                               By:  /s/ Richard M. Lavers
                                                   ----------------------------
                                                   Richard M. Lavers
                                                   General Counsel & Secretary


Dated: April 20, 2000


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<DESCRIPTION>APRIL 20, 2000 PRESS RELEASE
<TEXT>


                                  NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release Thursday, April 20, 2000

COACHMEN INDUSTRIES RESPONDS TO THOR INDUSTRIES' LETTER TO COACHMEN'S
SHAREHOLDERS

ELKHART, INDIANA--Coachmen Industries, Inc. (NYSE:COA) today confirmed it
received a copy of Thor Industries' letter to Coachmen's shareholders released
this morning.

It is Coachmen's belief that Thor Industries has commenced a process to disrupt
the upcoming Annual Shareholders meeting in support of its attempt to acquire
Coachmen Industries, Inc.

Please recognize this for what it is, part of an orchestrated campaign to
stampede the shareholders and the Board of Directors into accepting Thor's
proposal.

The Coachmen Board of Directors has scheduled a Special Meeting to consider the
Thor proposal on Wednesday, April 26. After the meeting, the Board will advise
shareholders of its decision and recommendations. Coachmen's shareholders are
urged to refrain from any action in response to Thor's recent request until
after they have an opportunity to consider the Board's recommendation.

Coachmen Industries, Inc. is one of the nation's leading producers of
recreational vehicles. The Company also is the largest producer of modular homes
in the U.S., with five different locations operating under the widely respected
name of All American Homes. The Company is publicly held with stock listed on
the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the COA symbol.

For more information:
Steve Bruce or Mary Beth Kissane
Abernathy MacGregor Group
212-371-5999

                                       ###


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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