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                                UNITED STATES                    SEC File Number
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION             0-9787
                            Washington, D.C. 20549                   ------
                                                                   Cusip Number
                                 FORM 12b-25                      

                          NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

(Check One) [ ]Form 10-K [ ]Form 20-F [X]Form 11-K  [ ]Form 10-Q [ ]Form N-SAR

                 For Period Ended: December 31, 1996
                                   -------------------------------
                 [  ]     Transition Report on Form 10-K
                 [  ]     Transition Report on Form 20-F
                 [  ]     Transition Report on Form 11-K
                 [  ]     Transition Report on Form 10-Q
                 [  ]     Transition Report on Form N-SAR
                 For the Transition Period Ended: 
                                                  ---------------------------

 READ ATTACHED INSTRUCTION SHEET BEFORE PREPARING FORM.  PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE

   Nothing in the form shall be construed to imply that the Commission has
                  verified any information contained herein.

    If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above,
           identify the Item(s) to which the notification relates:

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PART I - REGISTRANT INFORMATION

Republic Industries, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan
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Full Name of Registrant


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Former Name if Applicable

450 East Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 1200
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Address of Principal Executive Office (STREET AND NUMBER)

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
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City, State and Zip Code


PART II - RULES 12b-25(b) and (c)

If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense
and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following
should be completed.  (Check appropriate box)

 [X]     (a)     The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this
                 form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or
                 expense;

 [X]     (b)     The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition
                 report on Form 10-K, Form 20-F, 11-K, Form N-SAR, or portion
                 thereof, will be filed on or before the fifteenth calendar day
                 following the prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly
                 report of transition report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof
                 will be filed on or before the fifth calendar day following
                 the prescribed due date; and

 [X]     (c)     The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule
                 12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.

PART III - NARRATIVE

State below in reasonable detail the reasons why the Form 10-K, 11-K, 10-Q,
N-SAR, or the transition report or portion thereof, could not be filed with the
prescribed time period.  (Attach Extra Sheets if Needed)

The Republic Industries, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan (the "Plan") has engaged
Merrill Lynch as its Plan administrator. Merrill Lynch has experienced delays
in preparing certain of the documentation necessary for the Plan's certified
public accountants, Arthur Andersen LLP, to complete its audit of the Plan's
financial statements in accordance with ERISA. As a result of such delays,
additional time is necessary for Arthur Andersen LLP to complete its audit
procedures. As a plan subject to ERISA, the Plan's financial statements would
be required to be filed with the Commission within 180 days after the Plan's
fiscal year end in accordance with General Instruction A to Form 11-K. An
amended Form 11-K including the required financial statements will be filed
with the Commission on or before the fifteenth calendar day following the
prescribed due date.

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PART IV - OTHER INFORMATION

(1)      Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
         notification

         Christopher S. Morter            (954)               713-5219
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                  (Name)                (Area Code)        (Telephone Number)

(2)      Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of
         the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment
         Company Act of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter
         period that the registrant was required to file such reports been
         filed?  If answer is no identify report(s).
         [X] Yes  [ ] No

(3)      Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations
         from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be
         reflected by the earnings statements to be included in the subject
         report or portion thereof?  [ ] Yes  [X] No

         If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both
         narratively and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons
         why a reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made:

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               Republic Industries, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan
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                  (Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
hereunto duly authorized.


Date  6/30/97                          By /s/ Patricia McKay        
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                                              Plan Administrator

INSTRUCTION:  The form may be signed by an executive officer of the registrant
or by any other duly authorized representative.  The name and title of the
persons signing the form shall be typed or printed beneath the signature.  If
the statement is signed on behalf of the registrant by an authorized
representative (other than an executive officer), evidence of the
representative's authority to sign on behalf of the registrant shall be filed
with the form.

                                   ATTENTION
  Intentional misstatements or omissions of fact constitute Federal Criminal
                       Violations (See 18 U.S.C. 1001).


                              GENERAL INSTRUCTION

1.       This form is required by Rule 12b-25 (17 CFR 240.12b-25) of the
         General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of
         1934.

2.       One signed original and four conformed copies of this form and
         amendments thereto must be completed and filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission, Washington, D.C. 20549 in accordance with Rule
         0-3 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Act.  The
         information contained in or filed with the form will be made a matter
         of public record in the Commission files.

3.       A manually signed copy of the form and amendments thereto shall be
         filed with each national securities exchange on which any class of
         securities of the registrant is registered.

4.       Amendments to the notifications must also be filed on form 12b-25 but
         need not restate information that has been correctly furnished.  The
         form shall be clearly identified as an amendment notification.

5.       ELECTRONIC FILERS.  This form shall not be used by electronic filers
         unable to timely file a report solely due to electronic difficulties.
         Filers unable to submit a report within the time period prescribed due
         to difficulties in electronic filing should comply with either Rule
         201 or Rule 202 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.201 or Section 232.202
         of this chapter) or apply for an adjustment in filing date pursuant to
         Rule 13(b) of Regulation S-T (Section 232.12(c) of this chapter).
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                                   Exhibit A

                        Statement of Arthur Andersen LLP

  
        In connection with the conduct of its audit of the financial statements
for the year ended December 31, 1996 for the Republic Industries, Inc.
Retirement Savings Plan (the "Plan"), the undersigned is unable to provide its
opinion on such financial statements on or prior to June 30, 1997 because the
undersigned did not receive all documentation necessary from the Plan's
administrator in sufficient time to enable timely completion of the audit.

                                     /S/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
                                      
                                        ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Fort Lauderdale, Florida,
June 30, 1997