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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000042888-97-000014.txt : 19971111
<SEC-HEADER>0000042888-97-000014.hdr.sgml : 19971111
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000042888-97-000014
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	10-Q
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		5
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	19970926
FILED AS OF DATE:		19971110
SROS:			NYSE

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			GRACO INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000042888
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PUMPS & PUMPING EQUIPMENT [3561]
		IRS NUMBER:				410285640
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1228

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		10-Q
		SEC ACT:		
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-09249
		FILM NUMBER:		97711204

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4050 OLSON MEMORIAL HIGHWAY
		CITY:			GOLDEN VALLEY
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55422-5332
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6126236000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O CT CORPORATION SYSTEMS INC
		STREET 2:		405 SECOND AVENUE SOUTH
		CITY:			MINNEAPOLIS
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55401
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>10-Q
<SEQUENCE>1
<DESCRIPTION>THIRD QUARTER 10Q FOR PERIOD ENDING 09/26/97
<TEXT>

                                   UNITED STATES
                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                               Washington, D.C. 20549

                                     FORM 10-Q

              Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the
                          Securities Exchange Act of 1934



For the quarterly period ended September 26, 1997

Commission File Number:  1-9249


                                   GRACO INC.
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)




        Minnesota                                       41-0285640
  ------------------------               ---------------------------------------
  (State of incorporation)               (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)



     4050 Olson Memorial Highway
      Golden Valley, Minnesota                                         55422
  ----------------------------------------                           ----------
  (Address of principal executive offices)                           (Zip Code)



                                 (612) 623-6000
              ----------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)



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,  and (2) has been subject to such filing  requirements
for the past 90 days.


                                    Yes     X         No
                                        ---------         --------

            16,979,650 common shares were outstanding as of October 23, 1997.


                                       1
<PAGE>


                           GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                      INDEX



                                                                    Page Number
                                                                    -----------

PART I  FINANCIAL INFORMATION


        Item 1.  Financial Statements

                    Consolidated Statements of Earnings                       3
                    Consolidated Balance Sheets                               4
                    Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                     5
                    Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements              6-7


        Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis
                    of Financial Condition and
                    Results of Operations                                  8-11



PART II OTHER INFORMATION


        Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                            12


        SIGNATURES                                                           13

        Stock Option Agreement.  Form of agreement used for
             award of nonstatutory stock options to nonemployee
             director, dated September 5, 1997                    Exhibit  10.1
        Trust Agreement dated September 30, 1997,
             between the Company and Norwest Bank
             Minnesota, N.A.                                       Exhibit 10.2
        Computation of Net Earnings per Common Share                 Exhibit 11
        Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR filing only)                  Exhibit 27







                                        2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                     PART I

                           GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Item I.                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

                                   (Unaudited)

                                                  Thirteen Weeks Ended                 Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
                                                  --------------------                 -----------------------
                                              Sept. 26, 1997  Sept. 27, 1996       Sept. 26, 1997  Sept. 27, 1996
                                              --------------  --------------       --------------  --------------
                                                            (In thousands except per share amounts)

<S>                                                <C>             <C>                  <C>             <C>      
Net sales ...................................      $ 101,920       $  97,680            $ 305,740       $ 284,932

      Cost of products sold .................         50,558          47,704              156,446         140,697
                                              --------------  --------------       --------------  --------------

Gross profit ...............................          51,362          49,976              149,294         144,235

      Product development ..................           4,167           4,714               13,820          13,566
      Selling ..............................          21,051          21,624               66,448          62,714
      General and administrative ...........           8,425           8,316               25,264          29,996
                                              --------------  --------------       --------------  --------------

Operating profit ...........................          17,719          15,322               43,762          37,959
         
      Interest expense .....................             216             155                  663             732
      Other expense, net ...................             124             310                  371            (447)
                                              --------------  --------------       --------------  --------------

Earnings before income taxes ...............          17,379          14,857               42,728          37,674

      Income taxes .........................           4,500           4,700               13,250          11,900
                                              --------------  --------------       --------------  --------------

Net earnings ...............................       $  12,879       $  10,157            $  29,478       $  25,774
                                              ==============  ==============       ==============  ===============

Net earnings per common and
      common equivalent share ..............       $     .74       $     .58            $    1.69       $    1.47
                                              ==============  ==============       ==============  ===============

Cash dividend declared per common share ....       $     .14       $     .12            $     .42       $     .36
                                              ==============  ==============       ==============  ===============
</TABLE>


                 See notes to consolidated financial statements.












                                        
                                       3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                           GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                 (In thousands)

                                                                   September 26, 1997    December 27, 1996
                                                                   ------------------    -----------------
                                                                       (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                         <C>                  <C>  
ASSETS

Current Assets:
    
      Cash and cash equivalents ...............................             $   7,382            $   6,535
      Accounts receivable, less allowances
         of $4,196 and $4,723 .................................                82,566               83,474
      Inventories .............................................                44,768               41,531
      Deferred income taxes ...................................                12,459               11,633
      Other current assets ....................................                 1,387                1,321
                                                                   ------------------    -----------------
            Total current assets ..............................               148,562              144,494

Property, plant and equipment:
      Cost ....................................................               194,343              183,085
      Less Accumulated Depreciation ...........................               (94,310)             (88,913)
                                                                   ------------------    -----------------
                                                                              100,033               94,172

Other assets ..................................................                 9,066                9,148
                                                                   ------------------    -----------------

                                                                            $ 257,661            $ 247,814
                                                                   ==================    =================

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
      Notes payable to banks ..................................             $   2,444            $   3,813
      Current portion of long-term debt .......................                 1,620                1,845
      Trade accounts payable ..................................                14,191               13,854
      Salaries, wages and commissions .........................                13,639               14,808
      Accrued insurance liabilities ...........................                12,157               10,925
      Income taxes payable ....................................                 7,453                4,647
      Other current liabilities ...............................                20,810               30,718
                                                                   ------------------    -----------------
            Total current liabilities .........................                72,314               80,610

Long-term debt, less current portion ..........................                 7,145                8,075

Retirement benefits and deferred compensation .................                33,795               33,079

Shareholders' equity:
      Common stock ............................................                17,020               17,047
      Additional paid-in capital ..............................                19,399               22,254
      Retained earnings .......................................               106,471               85,232
      Other, net ..............................................                 1,517                1,517
                                                                   ------------------    -----------------
            Total shareholders' equity ........................               144,407              126,050
                                                                   ------------------    -----------------

                                                                            $ 257,661            $ 247,814
                                                                   ==================    =================
</TABLE>

                     See notes to consolidated financial statements




                                       4
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                           GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                   (Unaudited)

                                                                           Thirty-Nine Weeks
                                                                           -----------------
                                                                   Sept. 26, 1997   Sept. 27, 1996
                                                                   --------------   --------------
                                                                            (In thousands)
<S>                                                                      <C>              <C>     
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Net Earnings ......................................................      $ 29,478         $ 25,774
   Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
     net cash provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization ...............................        10,507            9,633
      Deferred income taxes .......................................        (2,137)           2,318
      Change in:
        Accounts receivable .......................................        (2,665)          (3,182)
        Inventories ...............................................        (4,972)          (7,147)
        Trade accounts payable ....................................           655             (380)
        Retirement benefits and deferred
         compensation .............................................         1,036              564
        Other accrued liabilities .................................        (5,743)           6,813
        Other .....................................................          (240)             350
                                                                   --------------   --------------

                                                                           25,919           34,743
                                                                   --------------   --------------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

   Property, plant and equipment additions ........................       (16,793)         (18,681)
   Proceeds from sale of property, plant,
        and equipment .............................................         1,642               62
                                                                   --------------   --------------

                                                                          (15,151)         (18,619)
                                                                   --------------   --------------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

   Borrowing on notes payable and lines of credit .............            40,289           13,932
   Payments on notes payable and lines of credit ..............           (41,470)         (13,957)
   Borrowing on long-term debt ................................                --              198
   Payments on long-term debt .................................              (922)          (1,347)
   Common stock issued ........................................             2,926            2,352
   Retirement of common and preferred stock ...................            (6,971)          (6,819)
   Cash dividends paid ........................................            (7,219)          (6,293)
                                                                   --------------   --------------

                                                                          (13,367)         (11,934)
                                                                   --------------   --------------

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash .......................             3,446            1,568
                                                                   --------------   --------------

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents .....................               847            5,758

Cash and cash equivalents:

   Beginning of year ..........................................             6,535            1,643
                                                                   --------------   --------------

   End of period ..............................................          $  7,382         $  7,401
                                                                   ==============   ==============
</TABLE>

                 See notes to consolidated financial statements
                                            
                                       5
<PAGE>



                           GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                   (Unaudited)


1.   The consolidated balance sheet of Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company)
     as of  September  26, 1997 and the related  statements  of earnings for the
     thirteen and  thirty-nine  weeks ended September 26, 1997 and September 27,
     1996 and cash flows for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 1997, and
     September  27,  1996,  have been  prepared  by the  Company  without  being
     audited.

     In the opinion of management,  these  consolidated  statements  reflect all
     adjustments necessary (consisting of only normal recurring  adjustments) to
     present fairly the financial  position of Graco Inc. and Subsidiaries as of
     September 26, 1997,  and the results of  operations  and cash flows for all
     periods presented.

     Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial
     statements  prepared  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting
     principles  have been  condensed or omitted.  Therefore,  these  statements
     should  be read in  conjunction  with the  financial  statements  and notes
     thereto included in the Company's 1996 Form 10-K.

     The  results  of  operations  for  interim   periods  are  not  necessarily
     indicative of results which will be realized for the full fiscal year.

2.   Major components of inventories were as follows (in thousands):

                                                Sept. 26, 1997    Dec. 27, 1996
                                                --------------    -------------

      Finished products and components                 $43,148          $38,707
      Products and components in various
          stages of completion                          26,943           24,691
      Raw materials                                     12,387           15,192
                                                --------------    -------------
                                                        82,478           78,590
      Reduction to LIFO cost                           (37,710)         (37,059)
                                                --------------    -------------
                                                       $44,768          $41,531
                                                ==============    =============







                                       6
<PAGE>







3.   Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards (SFAS) No. 128, "Earnings per
     Share",  was  issued in  February  1997 and  requires  adoption  for annual
     periods  ending after December 15, 1997.  Earnings per Share  determined in
     accordance with SFAS No. 128 are not materially  different than the current
     disclosure under APB Opinion No. 15.

4.   In June 1997, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
     Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 131,  "Disclosures about Segments
     of an Enterprise and Related Information",  which will be effective for the
     Company  beginning  with the 1998 fiscal year.  SFAS No. 131  redefines how
     operating  segments  are  determined  and  requires  disclosure  of certain
     financial and description information about a company's operating segments.
     The Company has not yet determined  the nature of its segments,  nor has it
     determined how adoption of SFAS No. 131 will impact its future disclosures.






                                       7
<PAGE>


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

Results of Operations
- ---------------------

Net earnings of $12.9 million for the quarter ended September 26, 1997 increased
27 percent over the third  quarter of 1996  earnings of $10.2  million.  For the
nine months  ended  September  26, 1997,  net earnings of $29.5  million were 14
percent over 1996 earnings of $25.8 million.  The quarterly earnings improvement
results  primarily from a 4 percent increase in sales,  coupled with a 3 percent
decline  in  operating  expenses.  A lower  effective  tax  rate and  income  of
approximately $450,000, net of tax, related to the settlement of a lawsuit, also
contributed  to  the  net  earnings   improvement.   Partially   offsetting  the
improvements  were a lower  gross  profit  margin on  product  sales and  losses
resulting from unfavorable exchange rate changes.

The following table sets forth items from the Company's Consolidated  Statements
of Earnings as percentages of net sales:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   Third Quarter                     Nine Months
                                                 (13 weeks) Ended                 (39 weeks) Ended
                                                 ----------------                 ----------------
                                               September      September      September      September
                                               26, 1997       27, 1996       26, 1997       27, 1996
                                               ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
<S>                                               <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>   
Net Sales ...................................     100.0%         100.0%         100.0%         100.0%
                                               ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
Cost of Products Sold .......................      49.6           48.8           51.2           49.4

Product Development .........................       4.1            4.8            4.5            4.8

Selling .....................................      20.7           22.1           21.7           22.0

General and Administrative ..................       8.2            8.6            8.3           10.5 
                                               ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
Operating Profit ............................      17.4           15.7           14.3           13.3
                                               ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
Interest Expense ............................        .2             .2             .2             .3
                                               ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
Other Income(Expense), Net ..................       (.1)           (.3)           (.1)            .2
                                               ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
Earnings Before Income Taxes ................      17.1           15.2           14.0           13.2

Income Taxes ................................       4.5            4.8            4.4            4.2
                                               ---------      ---------      ---------      ---------
Net Earnings ................................      12.6%          10.4%           9.6%           9.0%
                                               =========      =========      =========      =========
</TABLE>


                                       8
<PAGE>





Net Sales

Net sales during the third quarter of $101.9  million were 4 percent higher than
1996's third quarter. Year-to-date sales of $305.7 million were 7 percent higher
than the first nine months of 1996.  Improved sales levels were achieved despite
a negative currency impact, which reduced sales by 4 percent for the quarter and
3 percent for the nine month period.

Industrial/Automotive  Equipment sales worldwide fell 5 percent to $53.5 million
from last  year's  third  quarter,  4 percent  due to  exchange  and most of the
remainder due to a decline in automotive systems demand in Europe. Sales for the
nine month period ended  September 26, 1997 in  Industrial/Automotive  of $160.9
million were 3 percent  higher than 1996.  Third  quarter  Contractor  Equipment
sales of $37.2  million were 22 percent  higher than last year due  primarily to
new products and price  repositioning.  Year-to-date  Contractor Equipment sales
were up 15 percent to $110.7  million.  Lubrication  Equipment  quarterly  sales
increased 3 percent to $11.2 million.  Sales of $34.1 million for the first nine
months  in  Lubrication  were up 6  percent  over  the  same  period  last  year
reflecting a healthy North  American  economy and an increased  key  distributor
base.

Sales in the Americas (North,  South and Central)  increased 12 percent to $69.3
million for the quarter  primarily due to strong sales performance in Contractor
Equipment,  partially offset by a decline in North American  automotive  systems
sales.  Year-to-date  sales in the Americas of $207.8 million were up 11 percent
compared  to the same  period  last  year.  Quarterly  sales in  Europe of $18.5
million  were 15 percent  lower than last year.  Much of the decline (9 percent)
can be attributed to changes in exchange  rates.  The remainder is due primarily
to a shift in timing of automotive systems sales between quarters.  Year-to-date
automotive  system sales remain ahead of last year. Sales in Europe for the nine
months ended  September  26, 1997 of $57.3  million  improved 5 percent from the
same period last year (a 13 percent volume  increase,  and an 8 percent  decline
due to exchange  rates).  Asia  Pacific  sales of $14.1  million  were 2 percent
higher than last year's  third  quarter (a 7 percent  volume  increase,  and a 5
percent decline due to exchange rates). Sales in Asia Pacific for nine months of
$40.7 million were 4 percent lower than last year (a 3 percent volume  increase,
and a 7 percent decline due to exchange rates).

Gross Profit

Gross profit as a percentage of quarterly and  year-to-date  net sales has risen
to 50.4 and 48.8 percent  respectively  from the second  quarter of 1997.  These
rates,  however,  are .8 and 1.8  percentage  points  lower  than the 1996 third
quarter and year-to-date rates, respectively.  The decreases for the quarter and
nine  months  were  primarily  the result of a shift in the  product  mix within
Contractor  Equipment to an upgraded product line which generates a lower margin
than other products. The strengthening of the U.S. dollar also reduced the gross
margin as a greater  proportion of the Company's  sales,  relative to costs, are
denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.


                                            


                                       9
<PAGE>



Operating Expenses

Operating  expenses for the quarter  ended  September  26, 1997 of $33.6 million
decreased 3 percent from the same quarter of 1996.  Operating expenses of $105.5
million for the first nine months were 1 percent below the 1996 level. Quarterly
product  development  expense decreased 12 percent from 1996 and selling expense
decreased 3 percent.  The decline in both product development and selling can be
attributed to lower employee  benefit costs.  General and  administrative  costs
remained relatively flat in comparison to the third quarter of 1996.

Other Income (Expense)

Other expense was $.1 million in the third  quarter,  compared to expense of $.3
million  for the same  period  last year.  The third  quarter  of 1997  includes
proceeds from the settlement of a lawsuit.  This income was partially  offset by
losses due to  exchange  rate  fluctuations.  Other  expense for the nine months
ended  September 26, 1997 was $.4 million,  compared to income of $.4 million in
the same period of 1996.

Income Taxes

The  quarterly and  year-to-date  effective  income tax rates  decreased to 25.9
percent and 31.0 percent, respectively compared to 31.6 percent for both periods
last  year.  The  lower  rates  in  1997  were  principally  due  to  previously
unrecognized foreign tax benefits.


Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------

The Company  generated  $25.9 million of cash flow from operating  activities in
the first nine months of 1997 compared to $34.7 million for the same period last
year.  Significant uses of operating cash flow in 1997 resulted from an increase
in accounts receivable  balances  attributable to higher sales levels and from a
reduction  in  other  accrued   liabilities,   most  significantly  the  reserve
established in the prior year for the relocation of the Company's Franklin Park,
Illinois  operations.  Operating  cash  was  also  used to fund an  increase  in
inventory levels which was driven by higher  engineered  systems activity in the
foreign  operations.  Available  cash,  borrowing  on lines of  credit  of $40.3
million,  and  proceeds  from  issuances  of  common  stock  were  used  to fund
short-term  operating  needs,  finance  capital  expenditures  of $16.8 million,
repurchase  $7.0 million in common stock and pay dividends of $7.2 million.  The
Company had unused  lines of credit  available at  September  26, 1997  totaling
$68.7 million.  The available credit facilities and  internally-generated  funds
provide the Company with the financial flexibility to meet liquidity needs.

Outlook

The Company is optimistic about  performance for the remainder of the year. With
the exception of North American  Automotive,  the Company is experiencing strong
demand  for its  products.  Sales  backlog  has grown by $11  million  since the
beginning  of the year to $30  million.  Also,  despite  continuing  unfavorable
exchange rate changes, the Company's profitability has improved.

                                            



                                       10
<PAGE>




SAFE HARBOR CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

The  information  in this 10Q contains  "forward-looking  statements"  about the
Company's  expectations of the future, which are subject to certain risk factors
that could cause actual results to differ  materially  from those  expectations.
These factors include  economic  conditions in the United States and other major
world  economies,   currency  exchange  fluctuations,   and  additional  factors
identified  in Exhibit 99 to the  Company's  Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year
1996.







                                       11
<PAGE>



                                         PART II

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

     (a)  Exhibits

          Stock Option Agreement. Form of agreement used
               for award of nonstatutory stock options to
               nonemployee director, dated September 5, 1997        Exhibit 10.1

          Trust agreement dated September 30, 1997, between
               the Company and Norwest Bank, Minnesota N.A.         Exhibit 10.2

          Statement on Computation                                    Exhibit 11
          of Per Share Earnings

          Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR filing only)                 Exhibit 27

     (b)  No reports on Form 8-K have been filed  during the  quarter  for which
          this report is filed.






                                       12
<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 thereunto duly authorized.










                                          GRACO INC.


Date: 11/6/97                             By:/s/George Aristides
                                          George Aristides
                                          Chief Executive Officer





Date: 11/6/97                             By:/s/Mark W. Sheahan
                                          Mark W. Sheahan
                                          Treasurer
                                          (Principal Financial Officer)









                                       13
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-10.1
<SEQUENCE>2
<DESCRIPTION>FORM OF NONEMPLOYEEDIRECTOR STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
<TEXT>




                                   GRACO INC.
                              NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTOR
                       NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                                      (NSO)


      THIS AGREEMENT,  made this 5th day of September, 1997 by and between Graco
Inc., a Minnesota corporation (the "Company") and ____________ (the "Nonemployee
Director").

      WITNESSETH THAT:

      WHEREAS,  the Company  pursuant to its  Nonemployee  Director Stock Option
Plan wishes to grant this stock option to Nonemployee Director.

      NOW  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and  of  the  mutual
covenants herein contained, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1.    Grant of Option

      The Company  hereby grants to Nonemployee  Director,  the right and option
      (the  "Option") to purchase all or any part of an aggregate of ____ common
      shares,  par value $1.00 per share, at the price of $____ per share on the
      terms and conditions set forth herein. This is a nonstatutory stock Option
      which does not qualify for special tax treatment under Sections 421 or 422
      of the Internal Revenue Code.

2.    Duration and Exercisability

      a.    This Option may not be exercised by Employee until the expiration of
            one (1) year from the date of grant,  and this  Option  shall in all
            events terminate ten (10) years after the date of Grant.  During the
            first year from the date of grant of this Option, no portion of this
            Option  may  be  exercised.  Thereafter  this  Option  shall  become
            exercisable in four cumulative installments of 25% as follows:

                                                      Total Portion of
                     Date                        Option Which is Exercisable

            One Year after Date of Grant                     25%

            Two Years after Date of Grant                    50%

            Three Years after Date of Grant                  75%

            Four Years after Date of Grant                  100%

            In the event that Nonemployee  Director does not purchase in any one
            year the full  number of shares of common  stock of the  Company  to
            which he/she is entitled under this Option,  he/she may,  subject to
            the terms and  conditions of Section 3 hereof,  purchase such shares
            of  common  stock in any  subsequent  year  during  the term of this
            Option.

      b.    During the lifetime of the Nonemployee  Direction,  the Option shall
            be  exercisable  only by  him/her  and  shall not be  assignable  or
            transferable  by  him/her  otherwise  than by  will  or the  laws of
            descent and distribution.

3.    Effect of Termination of Membership on the Board

      a.    In the event a Nonemployee  Director  ceases being a director of the
            Company for any reason other than the reasons  identified in section
            3b below, the Nonemployee  Director shall have the right to exercise
            the Option as follows, subject to the condition that no Option shall
            be exercisable after the expiration of the term of the Option:

            (1)   If the  Nonemployee  Director  was a  member  of the  Board of
                  Directors  of the  Company  for  five (5) or more  years,  the
                  option  becomes  immediately  exercisable  upon  the  date the
                  Nonemployee Director ceases being a director.  The Nonemployee
                  Director  may  exercise  the Option for a period of thirty six
                  (36)  months  from the date the  Nonemployee  Director  ceased
                  being a director,  provided that if the  Nonemployee  Director
                  dies before the thirty-six (36) month period has expired,  the
                  Option may be exercised by the  Nonemployee  Director's  legal
                  representative  or  any  person  who  acquires  the  right  to
                  exercise  an Option by  reason of the  Nonemployee  Director's
                  death for a period of twelve  (12) months from the date of the
                  Nonemployee Director's death.

            (2)   If the  Nonemployee  Director  was a  member  of the  Board of
                  Directors  of the  Company  for less than five (5) years,  the
                  Nonemployee  Director may  exercise the Option,  to the extent
                  the  Option  was  exercisable  at  the  date  the  Nonemployee
                  Director  ceases being a member of the Board,  for a period of
                  thirty (30) days following the date the  Nonemployee  Director
                  ceased being a director,  provided  that,  if the  Nonemployee
                  Director  dies before the thirty (30) day period has  expired,
                  the  Option may be  exercised  by the  Nonemployee  Director's
                  legal representative,  or any person who acquires the right to
                  exercise  an Option by  reason of the  Nonemployee  Director's
                  death, for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of the
                  Nonemployee Director's death.

            (3)   If the  Nonemployee  Director dies while a member of the Board
                  of  Directors  of the  Company,  the  Option,  to  the  extent
                  exercisable by the Nonemployee  Director at the date of death,
                  may  be  exercised  by  the   Nonemployee   Director's   legal
                  representative,  or any  person  who  acquires  the  right  to
                  exercise  an Option by  reason of the  Nonemployee  Director's
                  death, for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of the
                  Nonemployee Director's death.

            (4)   In the  event  the  Option  is  exercised  by  the  executors,
                  administrators,  legatees,  or distributees of the estate of a
                  deceased optionee, the Company shall be under no obligation to
                  issue  stock  thereunder  unless  and  until  the  Company  is
                  satisfied that the person or persons exercising the Option are
                  the  duly  appointed  legal  representatives  of the  deceased
                  optionee's  estate  or the  proper  legatees  or  distributees
                  thereof.

     b.   If a Nonemployee  Director  ceases being a director of the Company due
          to an  act  of  (a)  fraud  or  intentional  misrepresentation  or (b)
          embezzlement,    misappropriation   or   conversion   of   assets   or
          opportunities  of the Company or any  Affiliate  of the Company or (c)
          any other gross or willful misconduct,  as determined by the Board, in
          its  sole  and  conclusive  discretion,  the  Option  granted  to such
          Nonemployee  Director shall immediately be forfeited as of the date of
          the misconduct.

4.    Manner of Exercise

      a.    The Option can be exercised  only by  Nonemployee  Director or other
            proper party within the Option period by delivering  written  notice
            to the Company at its principal  office in  Minneapolis,  Minnesota,
            stating  the  number  of  shares  as to which  the  Option  is being
            exercised and, except as provided in sections 4b(2) and 4b(3) below,
            accompanied by payment in full of one hundred  percent (100%) of the
            Option price.

      b.    The Nonemployee Director may, at his/her election, pay the Option
            price as follows:

            (1)   by cash or by certified check,

            (2)   by delivery of shares of common  stock to the  Company,  which
                  shall  have been  owned for at least six (6) months and have a
                  fair market value per share on the date of surrender  equal to
                  the exercise price, or

            (3)   by delivery to Company of a properly  executed exercise notice
                  together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly
                  deliver to the Company  from sale or loan  proceeds the amount
                  required to pay the exercise price.

            For purposes of subsection  4b(2)  hereunder,  the fair market value
            per share is the last sale price  reported on the composite  tape by
            the  New  York  Stock  Exchange  on  the  business  day  immediately
            preceding the date as of which fair market value is being determined
            or, if there were no sales of shares of the  Company's  common stock
            reported on the  composite  tape on such day,  on the most  recently
            preceding  day on which  there were  sales,  or if the shares of the
            Company's  stock are not  listed or  admitted  to trading on the New
            York  Stock  Exchange  on the day as of which the  determination  is
            made,  the amount  determined by the Board or its delegate to be the
            fair market value of a share on such day.

      c.    Such Option price shall be subject to adjustment as provided in
            Section 6 hereof.

5.    Change of Control

      a.    Notwithstanding  Section 2(a) hereof, all outstanding  Options not
            yet exercisable shall become  immediately and fully exercisable on
            the day  following a "Change of Control"  and shall  remain  fully
            exercisable  until either  exercised or expiring by their terms. A
            "Change of Control" means:

            (1)   acquisition by any  individual,  entity,  or group (within the
                  meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act of
                  1934),  (a  "Person"),  of  beneficial  ownership  (within the
                  meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the 1934 Act) which results in the
                  beneficial ownership by such Person of 25% or more of either

                  (a)   the  then  outstanding  shares  of  common  stock of the
                        Company (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock") or

                  (b)   the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting
                        securities of the Company  entitled to vote generally in
                        the  election of  directors  (the  "Outstanding  Company
                        Voting Securities");

                  provided, however,  that the following  acquisitions  will not
                  result in a Change of Control:

                        (i)   an acquisition directly from the Company,

                        (ii)  an acquisition by the Company,

                        (iii) an  acquisition  by an employee  benefit  plan (or
                              related  trust)  sponsored  or  maintained  by the
                              Company  or  any  corporation  controlled  by  the
                              Company,

                        (iv)  an acquisition by any Person who is deemed to have
                              beneficial  ownership of the Company  common stock
                              or other Company  voting  securities  owned by the
                              Trust Under the Will of  Clarissa L. Gray  ("Trust
                              Person"),  provided that such acquisition does not
                              result in the beneficial  ownership by such Person
                              of 32% or more of either the  Outstanding  Company
                              Common  Stock or the  Outstanding  Company  Voting
                              Securities, and provided further that for purposes
                              of this  Section  9, a Trust  Person  shall not be
                              deemed  --- to have  beneficial  ownership  of the
                              Company  common  stock  or  other  Company  voting
                              securities  owned by The Graco  Foundation  or any
                              employee  benefit plan of the Company,  including,
                              without limitations, the Graco Employee Retirement
                              Plan and the Graco Employee Stock Ownership Plan,

                        (v)   an acquisition by the Nonemployee  Director or any
                              group that includes the Nonemployee Director, or

                        (vi)  an  acquisition by any  corporation  pursuant to a
                              transaction  that  complies with clauses (a), (b),
                              and (c) of subsection (4) below; and

                  provided,  further,  that if any Person's beneficial ownership
                  of the Outstanding Company Common Stock or Outstanding Company
                  Voting  Securities is 25% or more as a result of a transaction
                  described  in  clause  (i) or  (ii)  above,  and  such  Person
                  subsequently   acquires  beneficial  ownership  of  additional
                  Outstanding Company Common Stock or Outstanding Company Voting
                  Securities  as a  result  of a  transaction  other  than  that
                  described  in  clause  (i)  or  (ii)  above,  such  subsequent
                  acquisition will be treated as an acquisition that causes such
                  Person to own 25% or more of the  Outstanding  Company  Common
                  Stock or Outstanding Company Voting Securities and be deemed a
                  Change of Control; and provided further, that in the event any
                  acquisition or other  transaction  occurs which results in the
                  beneficial  ownership of 32% or more of either the Outstanding
                  Company  Common  Stock  or  the  Outstanding   Company  Voting
                  Securities  by any Trust Person,  the  Incumbent  Board may by
                  majority  vote  increase the  threshold  beneficial  ownership
                  percentage to a percentage above 32% for any Trust Person; or

            (2)   Individuals  who, as of the date hereof,  constitute the Board
                  of Directors of the Company (the "Incumbent  Board") cease for
                  any reason to  constitute  at least a majority  of said Board;
                  provided,  however,  that any  individual  becoming a director
                  subsequent  to the date hereof whose  election,  or nomination
                  for election by the Company's shareholders,  was approved by a
                  vote of at least a majority of the directors  then  comprising
                  the  Incumbent   Board  will  be  considered  as  though  such
                  individual  were  a  member  of  the  Incumbent   Board,   but
                  excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial
                  membership  on the  Board  occurs  as a result of an actual or
                  threatened  election  contest  with respect to the election or
                  removal   of   directors   or  other   actual  or   threatened
                  solicitation  of  proxies  or  consents  by or on  behalf of a
                  Person other than the Board; or

            (3)   The  commencement  or  announcement  of an intention to make a
                  tender  offer or exchange  offer,  the  consummation  of which
                  would result in the beneficial ownership by a Person of 25% or
                  more of the  Outstanding  Company  Common Stock or Outstanding
                  Company Voting Securities; or

            (4)   The  approval  by  the   shareholders  of  the  Company  of  a
                  reorganization,  merger, consolidation,  or statutory exchange
                  of Outstanding  Company  Common Stock or  Outstanding  Company
                  Voting  Securities  or sale  or  other  disposition  of all or
                  substantially  all of the  assets  of the  Company  ("Business
                  Combination") or, if consummation of such Business Combination
                  is subject,  at the time of such approval by stockholders,  to
                  the consent of any  government  or  governmental  agency,  the
                  obtaining of such consent (either  explicitly or implicitly by
                  consummation) excluding,  however, such a Business combination
                  pursuant to which

                  (a)   all or substantially all of the individuals and entities
                        who  were  the  beneficial  owners  of  the  Outstanding
                        Company  Common  Stock  or  Outstanding  Company  Voting
                        Securities    immediately   prior   to   such   Business
                        Combination  beneficially  own,  directly or indirectly,
                        more  than 80% of,  respectively,  the then  outstanding
                        shares of common stock and the combined  voting power of
                        the then outstanding voting securities  entitled to vote
                        generally in the election of directors,  as the case may
                        be, of the  corporation  resulting  from  such  Business
                        Combination    (including,    without   limitation,    a
                        corporation  that as a result of such  transaction  owns
                        the Company or all or substantially all of the Company's
                        assets   either   directly   or  through   one  or  more
                        subsidiaries) in  substantially  the same proportions as
                        their  ownership,  immediately  prior  to such  Business
                        Combination of the  Outstanding  Company Common Stock or
                        Outstanding Company Voting Securities,

                  (b)   no  Person  [excluding  any  employee  benefit  plan (or
                        related  trust)  of  the  Company  or  such  corporation
                        resulting from such Business  Combination]  beneficially
                        owns,  directly or  indirectly,  25% or more of the then
                        outstanding  shares of common  stock of the  corporation
                        resulting from such Business Combination or the combined
                        voting power of the then outstanding  voting  securities
                        of such  corporation  except  to the  extent  that  such
                        ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and

                  (c)   at  least a  majority  of the  members  of the  board of
                        directors  of  the   corporation   resulting  from  such
                        Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board
                        at the time of the  execution of the initial  agreement,
                        or of  the  action  of the  Board,  providing  for  such
                        Business Combination; or

            (5)   approval  by the  stockholders  of the  Company  of a complete
                  liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

      b.    A Change  of  Control  shall not be  deemed  to have  occurred  with
            respect to a Nonemployee Director if:

            (1)   the acquisition of the 25% or greater interest  referred to in
                  subsection  a(1) of this  Section  5 is by a group,  acting in
                  concert, that includes the Nonemployee Director or

            (2)   if at  least  25% of the  then  outstanding  common  stock  or
                  combined voting power of the then  outstanding  company voting
                  securities  (or  voting  equity  interests)  of the  surviving
                  corporation or of any corporation (or other entity)  acquiring
                  all or substantially all of the assets of the Company shall be
                  beneficially owned, directly or indirectly,  immediately after
                  a  reorganization,   merger,  consolidation,  statutory  share
                  exchange,  disposition  of assets,  liquidation or dissolution
                  referred  to in  subsections  (4) or (5) of this  section by a
                  group,  acting in  concert,  that  includes  that  Nonemployee
                  Director.

6.    Adjustments and Changes in the Stock

      a.    If Nonemployee  Director  exercises all or any portion of the Option
            subsequent  to any  change in the  common  stock of the  Company  by
            reason of any  stock  dividend,  stock  split,  spin-off,  split-up,
            merger,    consolidation,    recapitalization,     reclassification,
            combination  or exchange of shares,  or any other similar  corporate
            event,  the aggregate number of shares available under the Plan, and
            the  number  and the  price of shares of  common  stock  subject  to
            outstanding Options shall be appropriately adjusted automatically.

      b.    No  right  to  purchase  fractional  shares  shall  result  from any
            adjustment  in  the  Option   pursuant  to  subsection  6a  of  this
            Agreement. In case of any such adjustment, the shares subject to the
            Option shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share.

      c.    Notice  of  any  adjustment   shall  be  given  by  the  Company  to
            Nonemployee  Director  for  the  Option  which  shall  have  been so
            adjusted and such  adjustment  (whether or not such notice is given)
            shall be effective and binding for all purposes of the Plan.

7.    Miscellaneous

      a.    This Option is issued pursuant to the Company's Nonemployee Director
            Stock  Option  Plan and is subject to its terms.  A copy of the Plan
            has been given to the  Nonemployee  Director.  The terms of the Plan
            are also  available  for  inspection  during  business  hours at the
            principal offices of the Company.

      b.    This  Agreement  shall not confer on  Nonemployee  Director or other
            person any claim or right to be  granted  an Option  under the Plan,
            except as expressly  provided in the Plan.  Neither the Plan nor any
            action taken  hereunder  shall be  construed  as giving  Nonemployee
            Director any right to be retained in the service of the Company.

      c.    Neither  Nonemployee  Director,  the  Nonemployee  Director's  legal
            representative,  nor any person who  acquires  the right to exercise
            this Option by reason of the Nonemployee  Director's  death shall be
            or have any of the rights or  privileges  of, a  shareholder  of the
            Company in respect of any shares of common stock receivable upon the
            exercise  of this  Option,  in whole or in part,  unless  and  until
            certificates for such shares shall have been issued upon exercise of
            this Option.

      d.    The Company shall at all times during the term of the Option reserve
            and keep  available  such number of shares as will be  sufficient to
            satisfy the requirements of this Agreement.

      e.    This  Agreement will be governed by and  constructed  exclusively in
            accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed
on the day and year first above written.

                                          GRACO INC.


     
                                          By
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Its
                                               ---------------------------------




                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Nonemployee Director



</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-10.2
<SEQUENCE>3
<DESCRIPTION>TRUST AGREEMENT
<TEXT>



                                 TRUST AGREEMENT
                         GRACO INC. NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTOR
                             DEFERRED STOCK ACCOUNT


      THIS TRUST  AGREEMENT,  Made and entered into as of September 30, 1997, by
and between GRACO INC., a Minnesota corporation  (hereinafter sometimes referred
to  as  "Graco"),   and  NORWEST  BANK  MINNESOTA,   N.A.,  a  national  banking
association,  as trustee  (said trustee and its successor or successors in trust
from time to time being hereinafter collectively referred to as "Trustee"):

      WHEREAS,  Graco has established a nonemployee  director stock plan for the
benefit of its outside  directors  by the  adoption  of a document  known as the
"GRACO INC. NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTOR STOCK PLAN" (the "Plan"); and

            WHEREAS,  Graco may from  time to time  hereafter  amend,  renew and
extend such Plan; and

            WHEREAS,  Graco has  determined  that it will establish a trust fund
which,  subject to the claims of creditors  of Graco,  shall be held to pay such
portion of the benefits under the Plan which Graco does not directly pay; and

            WHEREAS,  the  creation  of such a trust  fund  requires  that Graco
select a Trustee and enter into a Trust Agreement; and

            WHEREAS, this is the Trust Agreement so contemplated; and

            WHEREAS, the Trustee has agreed to serve as Trustee according to the
terms of this  Trust  Agreement  and the  officers  of Graco are  authorized  to
execute this Trust Agreement on behalf of Graco;

            NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, the parties hereto
do hereby agree as follows:

                                    SECTION 1

                                  INTRODUCTION

     1.1. Definitions.  When used  herein with  initial  capital  letters,  the
following words have the following meanings:

          1.1.1. Administrator - the Secretary of Graco appointed by the Plan to
     administer this Trust.

          1.1.2. Beneficiary  -  a  person  designated  by  a  Participant  (or
     automatically by operation of the Plan) to receive any benefit remaining at
     the death of a Participant under the terms of the Plan.

          1.1.3. Change in Control

               1.1.3.1  A  Change  of  Control  means  any one of the  following
          events:

                    1.1.3.1(a)  acquisition by any  individual,  entity or group
               (within  the  meaning  of Section  13(d)(3)  or  14(d)(2)  of the
               Exchange Act), (a "Person"),  of beneficial ownership (within the
               meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the  Exchange  Act) which  results in
               the beneficial ownership by such Person of 25% or more of either

                         1.1.3.1(a)(1)  the then  outstanding  shares  of Common
                    Stock  of  the  Company  (the  "Outstanding  Company  Common
                    Stock") or

                         1.1.3.1(a)(2)  the  combined  voting  power of the then
                    outstanding  voting  securities  of the Company  entitled to
                    vote   generally   in  the   election  of   directors   (the
                    "Outstanding Company Voting Securities");

               provided,  however,  that  the  following  acquisitions  will not
               result in a Change of Control:

                        (i)   an acquisition directly from the Company,
                        (ii)  an acquisition by the Company,
                        (iii) an acquisition by any  employee  benefit  plan (or
                    related trust)  sponsored or  maintained  by the  Company or
                    any corporation controlled by the Company,
                        (iv) an  acquisition by any Person who is deemed to have
                    beneficial ownership of the  Common  Stock or  other  voting
                    securities of the Company owned by the Trust Under the  Will
                    of Clarissa L. Gray  ("Trust  Person"), provided  that  such
                    acquisition does not result in the  beneficial ownership  by
                    such Person of 32% or more of either the Outstanding Company
                    Common Stock or the Outstanding Company  Voting  Securities,
                    and  provided  further that  for  purposes  of  this Section
                    1.1.3, a Trust Person shall not be deemed to have beneficial
                    ownership of the Common Stock or other voting  securities of
                    the Company owned  by The Graco Foundation or  any  employee
                    benefit plan of  the Company,  including  the Graco Employee
                    Retirement Plan and the Graco Employee Stock Ownership Plan,
                        (v)   an  acquisition  by the  Participating Director or
                    any group that includes the Participating Director, or
                        (vi) an  acquisition  by any  corporation  pursuant to a
                    transaction that complies  with  clauses (1), (2) and (3) of
                    subsection 1.1.3.1(d) below; and

               provided,  further,  that if any Person's beneficial ownership of
               the  Outstanding  Company  Common  Stock or  Outstanding  Company
               Voting  Securities  is 25% or more as a result  of a  transaction
               described   in  clause  (i)  or  (ii)  above,   and  such  Person
               subsequently   acquires   beneficial   ownership  of   additional
               Outstanding  Company Common Stock or  Outstanding  Company Voting
               Securities as a result of a transaction other than that described
               in clause (i) or (ii) above, such subsequent  acquisition will be
               treated as an  acquisition  that causes such Person to own 25% or
               more of the  Outstanding  Company  Common  Stock  or  Outstanding
               Company Voting Securities and be deemed a Change of Control;  and
               provided  further,  that in the  event any  acquisition  or other
               transaction  occurs which results in the beneficial  ownership of
               32% or more of either the Outstanding Company Common Stock or the
               Outstanding  Company Voting  Securities by any Trust Person,  the
               Incumbent  Board, as defined below, may by majority vote increase
               the  threshold  beneficial  ownership  percentage to a percentage
               above 32% for any Trust Person; or

                    1.1.3.1(b)   individuals   who,  as  of  the  date   hereof,
               constitute the Board of Directors of the Company (the  "Incumbent
               Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of
               said Board;  provided,  however,  that any individual  becoming a
               director  subsequent  to  the  date  hereof  whose  election,  or
               nomination  for  election  by  the  Company's  shareholders,  was
               approved by a vote of at least a majority of the  directors  then
               comprising the Incumbent  Board will be considered as though such
               individual were a member of the Incumbent  Board,  but excluding,
               for this purpose, any such individual whose initial membership on
               the Board occurs as a result of an actual or threatened  election
               contest  with  respect to the election or removal of directors or
               other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by
               or on behalf of a Person other than the Board, or

                    1.1.3.1(c) the  commencement or announcement of an intention
               to make a tender offer or exchange  offer,  the  consummation  of
               which would result in the beneficial ownership by a Person of 25%
               or more of the  Outstanding  Company  Common Stock or Outstanding
               Company Voting Securities; or

                    1.1.3.1(d) the approval by the  shareholders  of the Company
               of a reorganization,  merger, consolidation or statutory exchange
               of Outstanding Company Common Stock or Outstanding Company Voting
               Securities or sale or other  disposition of all or  substantially
               all of the assets of the Company ("Business  Combination") or, if
               consummation of such Business Combination is subject, at the time
               of  such  approval  by  shareholders,   to  the  consent  of  any
               government or governmental  agency, the obtaining of such consent
               (either  explicitly or implicitly  by  consummation);  excluding,
               however, such a Business Combination pursuant to which

                         1.1.3.1(d)(1)   all   or   substantially   all  of  the
                    individuals  and entities who were the beneficial  owners of
                    the Outstanding  Company Common Stock or Outstanding Company
                    Voting   Securities   immediately  prior  to  such  Business
                    Combination  beneficially own, directly or indirectly,  more
                    than 80% of,  respectively,  the then outstanding  shares of
                    common  stock  and the  combined  voting  power  of the then
                    outstanding voting securities  entitled to vote generally in
                    the  election  of  directors,  as the  case  may be,  of the
                    corporation   resulting   from  such  Business   Combination
                    (including,  without  limitation,  a  corporation  that as a
                    result  of  such  transaction  owns  the  Company  or all or
                    substantially all of the Company's assets either directly or
                    through one or more  subsidiaries) in substantially the same
                    proportions as their  ownership,  immediately  prior to such
                    Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock
                    or Outstanding Company Voting Securities,

                         1.1.3.1(d)(2) no Person (excluding any employee benefit
                    plan, or related trust,  of the Company or such  corporation
                    resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns,
                    directly or indirectly,  25% or more of the then outstanding
                    shares of common  stock of the  corporation  resulting  from
                    such Business  Combination  or the combined  voting power of
                    the then outstanding  voting securities of such corporation,
                    except to the extent that such  ownership  existed  prior to
                    the Business Combination, and

                         1.1.3.1(d)(3) at least a majority of the members of the
                    board of directors of the  corporation  resulting  from such
                    Business  Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at
                    the time of the  execution of the initial  agreement,  or of
                    the  action  of  the  Board,  providing  for  such  Business
                    Combination; or

                    1.1.3.1(e)  approval by the shareholders of the Company of a
               complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

               1.1.3.2 A Change of Control  shall not be deemed to have occurred
          with respect to a Participating Director if:

                    1.1.3.2(a) the  acquisition  of the 25% or greater  interest
               referred to in  subparagraph  1.1.3.1(a) of this Section 1.1.3 is
               by a group,  acting in concert,  that includes the  Participating
               Director or

                    1.1.3.2(b)  if at least 25% of the then  outstanding  common
               stock or combined  voting power of the then  outstanding  company
               voting  securities (or voting equity  interests) of the surviving
               corporation or of any corporation (or other entity) acquiring all
               or  substantially  all of the  assets  of the  Company  shall  be
               beneficially owned,  directly or indirectly,  immediately after a
               reorganization,  merger, consolidation, statutory share exchange,
               disposition of assets,  liquidation or dissolution referred to in
               subparagraph 1.1.3.1(d) or 1.1.3.1(e) of this Section by a group,
               acting in concert, that includes that Participating Director.

          1.1.4. Common Stock - common shares of Graco, par value $1.00.

          1.1.5.  Company  -  GRACO  INC.,  a  Minnesota  corporation,  and  any
     successor thereof that adopts the Plan.

          1.1.6.  Fund - the  assets  held under  this  Trust  Agreement  by the
     Trustee from time to time,  including all  contributions of the Company and
     the investments and reinvestments, earnings and profits thereon.

          1.1.7. Insolvent, Insolvency - the condition which exists when Company
     is:  (i)  generally  unable  to pay its debts  when  they are due,  or (ii)
     subject  to a  pending  proceeding  as a debtor  under  the  United  States
     Bankruptcy Code.

          1.1.8.  Participant  - a  nonemployee  director of the Company who has
     become  and  remains  a  participant  in the  Plan in  accordance  with the
     provisions of the Plan.

          1.1.9.  Plan - the  unfunded,  nonqualified  "GRACO  INC.  NONEMPLOYEE
     DIRECTOR  STOCK PLAN" of the  Company  which has been  established  for the
     benefit of the nonemployee directors of the Company eligible to participate
     therein.

          1.1.10.  Trust  Agreement  - this  written  document  entitled  "TRUST
     AGREEMENT,  GRACO NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTOR DEFERRED STOCK ACCOUNT" entered into
     by and between Company and the Trustee  effective as of September 30, 1997,
     as the same may be amended from time to time thereafter.

          1.1.11.  Trustee - the  Trustee  originally  named  hereunder  and its
     successor in Trust.

     1.2. Rules of Interpretation.  Whenever  appropriate,  words used herein in
the singular  may be read in the plural,  or words used herein in the plural may
be read in the singular;  the masculine may include the feminine;  and the words
"hereof",  "herein" or "hereunder" or other similar compounds of the word "here"
shall mean and refer to this entire Trust  Agreement  and not to any  particular
paragraph  or  section  of this  Trust  Agreement  unless  the  context  clearly
indicates  to the  contrary.  The titles  given to the various  sections of this
Trust  Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not part
of this Trust  Agreement,  and they shall not be considered in  determining  the
purpose,  meaning or intent of any provision hereof. Any reference in this Trust
Agreement to a statute or regulation  shall be considered also to mean and refer
to any subsequent  amendment or replacement of that statute or regulation.  This
instrument  has been  executed and  delivered in the State of Minnesota  and has
been drawn in  conformity  to the laws of that State and shall be construed  and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Minnesota.

                                    SECTION 2

                             ESTABLISHMENT OF TRUST

      2.1. Establishment of Trust. Company hereby deposits with Trustee in Trust
One Hundred  Dollars and no/100  ($100.00),  which shall become the principal of
the Trust to be held,  administered  and  disposed  of by Trustee as provided in
this Trust  Agreement.  The Company  shall make  additional  deposits of cash or
other  property  from time to time as it may  determine in its sole and absolute
discretion.  Neither Trustee nor any  Participant or Beneficiary  shall have any
right to compel any additional deposits.

      2.2. Fund Established.  A Fund is hereby established by Company.  The Fund
shall  be held by  Trustee  in  Trust  and  dealt  with in  accordance  with the
provisions of this Trust Agreement. This Trust Agreement is intended to create a
trust which is a grantor trust within the meaning of section 671 of the Internal
Revenue Code, as amended, and shall be construed  accordingly.  The principal of
the Trust,  and any earnings thereon shall be held separate and apart from other
funds of the Company and shall be used  exclusively for the uses and purposes of
Plan  Participants and general  creditors as herein set forth. Plan Participants
and their  Beneficiaries  shall have no  preferred  claim on, or any  beneficial
ownership  interest in, any assets of the Trust.  Any rights  created  under the
Plan and this Trust Agreement shall be mere unsecured contractual rights of Plan
Participants and their  Beneficiaries  against  Company.  Any assets held by the
Trust will be subject to the claims of Company's general creditors under federal
and state law in the event of Insolvency.

     2.3. Revocable Trust. The Trust hereby established is revocable by Company;
it shall become irrevocable upon a Change in Control, as defined herein.

                                    SECTION 3

                          PAYMENTS TO PLAN PARTICIPANTS
                             AND THEIR BENEFICIARIES

      3.1.  Company  shall  deliver  to  Trustee  from  time to time one or more
schedules (the "Payment  Schedule") that indicate the amounts payable in respect
of each Participant (and his or her  Beneficiaries),  that provides a formula or
other instructions acceptable to Trustee for determining the amounts so payable,
the form in which such amount is to be paid (as provided for or available  under
the Plan), and the time of commencement  for payment of such amounts.  Except as
otherwise  provided  herein,  Trustee shall make payments to the Participants or
their Beneficiaries in accordance with the Payment Schedule.  Company may direct
Trustee,  with  Trustee's  consent,  to withhold,  report and remit any federal,
state and local taxes that may be required  to be withheld  with  respect to the
payments of benefits pursuant to the terms of the Plan and Trustee shall pay the
amounts  withheld to the appropriate  taxing  authorities.  In the event Company
does not direct the Trustee or Trustee does not consent to withhold,  report and
remit  all  federal,  state and local  taxes,  the  Company  will  perform  such
activities itself.

      3.2. The entitlement of a Participant or Beneficiary to benefits under the
Plan shall be  determined by Company or such party as it shall  designate  under
the Plan, and any claim for such benefits shall be considered and reviewed under
the procedures set forth in the Plan.

      3.3.  Company may make  payment of benefits  directly to  Participants  or
their  Beneficiaries  as they  become  due under the terms of the Plan.  Company
shall  notify  Trustee of its  decision  to make  payment of  benefits  within a
reasonable  time prior to the time amounts are payable to  Participants or their
Beneficiaries.  In addition,  if the  principal  of the Trust,  and any earnings
thereon,  are not sufficient to make payments of benefits in accordance with the
terms of the Plan,  Company  shall make the  balance of each such  payment as it
falls due.  Trustee shall notify  Company  where  principal and earnings are not
sufficient.

                                    SECTION 4

                               PAYMENTS TO COMPANY

      Except  as  provided  in  Section 3  hereof,  after  the Trust has  become
irrevocable, Company shall have no right or power to direct Trustee to return to
Company or to divert to others any of the Trust  assets  before all  payments of
benefits have been made to Plan Participants and their Beneficiaries pursuant to
the terms of the  Plan.  Prior to the date the Trust  becomes  irrevocable,  the
Company  may  request  the  Trustee to return  assets to the  Company  which are
determined  by the  Company  to be in  excess  of  amounts  reasonably  believed
necessary to satisfy the claims of all Participants and Beneficiaries  under the
terms of the Plan.

                                    SECTION 5

                    TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITY REGARDING PAYMENTS
                 TO TRUST BENEFICIARY WHEN COMPANY IS INSOLVENT

      5.1.  Cease Payments.  Trustee shall cease payment of benefits to
Participants and Beneficiaries if the Company is insolvent.

      5.2.  Claims of Creditors.  At all times during the continuance of this
Trust, the principal and income of the Trust shall be subject to claims of
general creditors of Company under federal and state law as set forth below.

          5.2.1.  The  Administrator  and the  Chief  Executive  Officer  of the
     Company  shall have the duty to inform  Trustee  in  writing  of  Company's
     Insolvency.  If a person  claiming to be a creditor  of Company  alleges in
     writing  to  Trustee  that  Company  has become  Insolvent,  Trustee  shall
     determine  whether  Company is Insolvent and,  pending such  determination,
     Trustee  shall   discontinue   payment  of  benefits  to   Participants  or
     Beneficiaries.

          5.2.2. Unless Trustee has actual knowledge of Company's Insolvency, or
     has  received  notice  from  Company or a person  claiming to be a creditor
     alleging that Company is  Insolvent,  Trustee shall have no duty to inquire
     whether  Company  is  Insolvent.  Trustee  may in all  events  rely on such
     evidence  concerning  Company's solvency as may be furnished to Trustee and
     that provides  Trustee with a reasonable  basis for making a  determination
     concerning Company's solvency.

          5.2.3.  If  at  any  time  Trustee  has  determined  that  Company  is
     Insolvent,   Trustee  shall   discontinue   payments  to  Participants  and
     Beneficiaries  and shall  hold the  assets of the Trust for the  benefit of
     Company's general  creditors.  Nothing in this Trust Agreement shall in any
     way diminish any rights of Participants  and  Beneficiaries to pursue their
     rights as general  creditors  of Company with respect to benefits due under
     the Plan or otherwise.

          5.2.4.  Trustee  shall resume the payment of benefits to  Participants
     and Beneficiaries in accordance with Section 3 of this Agreement only after
     Trustee  has  determined  that  Company is not  Insolvent ( or is no longer
     Insolvent).

      5.3. Resumption of Payments. Provided that there are sufficient assets, if
Trustee  discontinues the payment of benefits from the Trust pursuant to Section
5 hereof and  subsequently  resumes such payments,  the first payment  following
such  discontinuance  shall include the aggregate  amount of all payments due to
Participants  and  Beneficiaries  under the terms of the Plan for the  period of
such  discontinuance,  less the  aggregate  amount of payment,  if any,  made to
Participants  and  Beneficiaries by Company pursuant to the Plan during any such
period of discontinuance.

                                    SECTION 6

                              INVESTMENT AUTHORITY

      Trustee shall invest any funds transferred to it by Company in such manner
as may be  directed  by  Company.  In the  event  Company  fails  to  give  such
instructions  to Trustee,  Trustee shall then have full  authority to invest any
funds  transferred  to it by Company as Trustee  sees fit,  consistent  with the
terms and  conditions  of this  Trust  Agreement  and the Plan.  Notwithstanding
anything  to the  contrary,  if so directed by the  Company,  the Trustee  shall
invest all or any portion of the Fund in securities  (including  stock or rights
to acquire stock) or obligations issued by Company. All voting rights associated
with assets of the Trust  consisting  of Common  Stock of the  Company  shall be
exercisable by the  Participants or Beneficiaries in proportion to the number of
shares  of  Common  Stock of the  Company  held in the  deferred  stock  account
established  under the Plan for each such  Participant  or Beneficiary as of the
applicable  record date as determined by the  Administrator and pursuant to such
rules as may be  established  by the  Administrator  and the Trustee.  All other
rights associated with assets of the Trust, including voting rights with respect
to any equity  securities  held by the Trust (but not including  Common Stock of
the Company), shall be exercised by Trustee or the person designated by Trustee,
and shall in no event be exercisable by or rest with Participants.

      Company  shall  have the right at any  time,  and from time to time in its
sole discretion,  to substitute  assets of equal fair market value for any asset
held by the Trust.  This  right is  exercisable  by  Company  in a  nonfiduciary
capacity without the approval or consent of any person in a fiduciary capacity.

                                    SECTION 7

                              DISPOSITION OF INCOME

      During the term of this Trust,  all income  received by the Trust,  net of
expenses and taxes,  if any, shall be  accumulated  and reinvested in accordance
with the terms  hereof.  All cash  dividends,  if any,  paid with respect to the
Common Stock of the Company shall be reinvested in Common Stock of the Company.

                                    SECTION 8

                              ACCOUNTING BY TRUSTEE

      Trustee  shall keep  accurate  and  detailed  records of all  investments,
receipts,  disbursements,  and  all  other  transactions  required  to be  made,
including  such  specific  records as shall be agreed  upon in  writing  between
Company and Trustee. Within sixty (60) days following the close of each calendar
year, or such other date or dates specified by the Company and within sixty (60)
days after the removal or  resignation  of  Trustee,  Trustee  shall  deliver to
Company a written account of its administration of the Trust during such year or
during the period from the close of the last  preceding year to the date of such
removal or resignation,  setting forth all investments,  receipts, disbursements
and other transactions effected by it, including a description of all securities
and  investments  purchased  and  sold  with the  cost of net  proceeds  of such
purchases or sales (accrued interest paid or receivable being shown separately),
and showing all cash, securities and other property held in the Trust at the end
of such year or as of the date of such removal or  resignation,  as the case may
be. It is  recognized  that in the  operation  and  administration  of the Trust
certain  mathematical or accounting  errors may be made or mistakes may arise by
reason of errors in  information  supplied  to Trustee.  Trustee  shall have the
power to cause such  equitable  adjustments to be made to correct such errors as
Trustee in its discretion considers appropriate. Such adjustments shall be final
and binding on all persons.

                                    SECTION 9

                            RESPONSIBILITY OF TRUSTEE

      9.1.  General  Duty of Care.  Trustee  shall  act with  the  care,  skill,
prudence and diligence  under the  circumstances  then prevailing that a prudent
person acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters would use in the
conduct of an  enterprise  of a like  character  and with like  aims,  provided,
however,  that  Trustee  shall incur no  liability  to any person for any action
taken  pursuant to a direction,  request or approval  given by Company  which is
contemplated  by, and in conformity,  the terms of the Plan or this Trust and is
given in writing by Company.  In the event of a dispute  between Company and any
person,  Trustee may apply to a court of competent  jurisdiction  to resolve the
dispute.

      9.2. No Duty to Determine  Taxability.  Trustee has no  responsibility  to
advise  Company as to the taxability or  deductibility  of  contributions  to or
distributions from the Trust, or gains or losses thereon, whether with regard to
any federal,  state, local or other taxes, and Company  acknowledges that it has
not and will not rely on Trustee for such  purposes.  Trustee  does not warranty
and shall not be liable for any tax  consequences  associated  with the Trust or
the Plan.

      9.3.  Indemnification of Trustee.  Company will indemnify Trustee and hold
it harmless  from and against all claims,  liabilities,  legal fees and expenses
that may be asserted  against it, otherwise than on account of the Trustee's own
negligence  or willful  misconduct  (as found by a final  judgment of a court of
competent  jurisdiction)  by reason of the Trustee's  taking or refraining  from
taking any action in accordance with the Trust agreement, whether or not Trustee
is a party to a legal proceeding or otherwise.

      9.4. Trustee May Rely on Company Information. Trustee shall be entitled to
rely on any  information  furnished to it by the Company or any other party from
whom the Trustee reasonably believes it is authorized to provide any information
to the Trust.  Trustee  shall have no duty to determine  or inquire  whether any
contributions  to this Trust are in compliance  with the Plan, or to compute any
amount  to be  paid  to  Trustee;  nor  shall  Trustee  be  responsible  for the
collection or adequacy of any  contributions to the Trust or for the adequacy of
the  Trust  to  meet  and  discharge   liabilities  to  Participants  and  their
Beneficiaries under the Plan or to other creditors of the Company.

      9.5. Litigation Expenses.  If Trustee undertakes or defends any litigation
arising in  connection  with this Trust,  Company  agrees to  indemnify  Trustee
against   Trustee's  costs,   expenses  and  liabilities   (including,   without
limitation,  attorneys' fees and expenses)  relating thereto and to be primarily
liable for such  payments.  If Company  does not pay such  costs,  expenses  and
liabilities in a reasonably  timely manner,  Trustee may obtain payment from the
Trust.

     9.6. Use of Counsel.  Trustee may consult with legal  counsel (who may also
be  counsel  for  Company  generally)  with  respect  to any of  its  duties  or
obligations hereunder.

      9.7. Use of Agents.  Trustee may hire such attorneys,  agents and advisors
as are  reasonably  necessary to interpret the  provisions of the Trust and this
agreement and to resolve any disputes  that may arise on these  issues.  Trustee
may recover the reasonable  costs of hiring such attorneys,  agents and advisors
from the  Company or, in the absence of such  payment,  from the Trust.  Trustee
shall  not be  liable to  anyone  for any  action  it may take in good  faith in
reliance upon the advice of such attorneys, agents and advisors.

     9.8. General Grant of Authority. Trustee shall have, without exclusion, all
powers  conferred  on trustees by  applicable  law,  unless  expressly  provided
otherwise herein.

     9.9. No Business Obligation.  Notwithstanding any powers granted to Trustee
pursuant to this Trust  Agreement or to applicable  law,  Trustee shall not have
any power that could give this Trust the objective or carrying on a business and
dividing the gains therefrom, within the meaning of Section 301.7701-2 of the

Procedure and Administrative  Regulations  promulgated  pursuant to the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

                                   SECTION 10

                      COMPENSATION AND EXPENSES OF TRUSTEE

      Company shall pay all administrative  and Trustee's fees and expenses.  If
not so paid, the fees and expenses shall be paid from the Trust.

                                   SECTION 11

                       RESIGNATION AND REMOVAL OF TRUSTEE

     11.1.  Resignation.  Trustee  may resign at any time by  written  notice to
Company,  which shall be effective thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice
unless Company and Trustee agree otherwise.

     11.2. Removal. Trustee may be removed by Company on thirty (30) days notice
or upon shorter notice accepted by Trustee.

     11.3.  Change in  Control.  Upon a Change in  Control,  as defined  herein,
Trustee may not be removed by Company  for ninety  (90) days.  If for any reason
Trustee  resigns or is removed  within  ninety (90) days of a Change in Control,
Trustee shall select a successor  Trustee in accordance  with the  provisions of
Section 12.2 hereof prior to the  effective  date of  Trustee's  resignation  or
removal.

     11.4.  Transfer  of Assets.  Upon  resignation  or  removal of Trustee  and
appointment of a successor Trustee, all assets shall subsequently be transferred
to the successor  Trustee.  The transfer  shall be completed  within thirty (30)
days after receipt of notice of resignation, removal or transfer, unless Company
extends the time limit.

     11.5.  Court  Appointment.  If Trustee  resigns or is removed,  a successor
shall be appointed,  in accordance with the terms hereof. If no such appointment
has been  made,  Trustee  may  apply to a court of  competent  jurisdiction  for
appointment  of a  successor  or for  instructions.  All  expenses of Trustee in
connection with the proceeding  shall be allowed as  administrative  expenses of
the Trust.

                                   SECTION 12

                            APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSOR

     12.1.  New Trustee.  If Trustee  resigns or is removed in  accordance  with
Section 11.1 or 11.2 hereof, the Administrator may appoint any third party, such
as a bank trust department or other party that may be granted  corporate trustee
powers under Minnesota law, as a successor to replace  Trustee upon  resignation
or removal.  The appointment  shall be effective when accepted in writing by the
new Trustee,  who shall have all of the rights and powers of the former Trustee,
including ownership rights in the Trust assets. The former Trustee shall execute
any  instrument  necessary or  reasonably  requested by Company or the successor
Trustee to evidence the transfer.

     12.2. Change in Control. Upon a Change in Control, if Trustee resigns or is
removed and selects a successor  Trustee  pursuant to Section 11.3,  Trustee may
appoint any third party such as a bank trust  department or other party that may
be granted  corporate  trustee powers under  Minnesota law. The appointment of a
successor  Trustee  shall be  effective  when  accepted  in  writing  by the new
Trustee.  The new  Trustee  shall  have all the  rights and powers of the former
Trustee,  including  ownership  rights in the Trust assets.  The former  Trustee
shall execute any instrument necessary or reasonably requested by Company or the
successor Trustee to evidence the transfer.

                                   SECTION 13

                            AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION

     13.1. This Trust Agreement may be amended by a written instrument  executed
by Trustee and Company.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  no such amendment shall
conflict with the terms of the Plan or shall make the Trust  revocable  after it
has become irrevocable in accordance with Section 2.3

     13.2.  The  Trust  shall  not  terminate  until  the  date  on  which  Plan
Participants and their Beneficiaries are no longer entitled to benefits pursuant
to the terms of the Plan unless sooner  revoked in accordance  with Section 2.3.
Upon  termination  of the  Trust any  assets  remaining  in the  Trust  shall be
returned to the Company.

     13.3. Upon written  approval of Participants or  Beneficiaries  entitled to
payment of  benefits  pursuant to the terms of the Plan,  Company may  terminate
this Trust prior to the time all benefit payments under the Plan have been made.
All assets in the Trust at termination shall be returned to the Company.

                                   SECTION 14

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

     14.1. Separability. Any provision of this Trust Agreement prohibited by law
shall be ineffective to the extent of any such prohibition, without invalidating
the remaining provisions hereof.

     14.2.   Spendthrift   Provision.   Benefits  payable  to  Participants  and
Beneficiaries  under  this  Trust  Agreement  may not be  anticipated,  assigned
(either at law or in equity),  alienated,  pledges,  encumbered  or subjected to
attachment, garnishment, levy, execution or other legal or equitable process.

                                   SECTION 15

                                 EFFECTIVE DATE

      The effective date of this Trust Agreement shall be September 30, 1997.

      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  each of the  parties  hereto  has caused  this Trust
Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.


                                      GRACO INC.

                                   By:/s/Mark W. Sheahan

 

                                          Its: Treasurer

                                                                  


                                   And:/s/Robert M. Mattison

 

                                          Its: Vice President, General Counsel
                                                  and Secretary

                                                                  


                                   NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, N.A.
                                    as TRUSTEE
  
                                   By:/s/George S. Scalia


                                          Its: Vice President



                                   And:/s/Donna K. Dickinson


                                          Its: Vice President


</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-11
<SEQUENCE>4
<DESCRIPTION>STATEMENT REGARDING COMPUTATION OF NET EARNINGS
<TEXT>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                              EXHIBIT 11

                           GRACO INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  COMPUTATION OF NET EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

                                   (Unaudited)

                                                                         Thirteen Weeks Ended            Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
                                                                         --------------------            -----------------------
                                                                     Sept. 26, 1997   Sept 27, 1996    Sept 26, 1997  Sept. 27, 1996
                                                                     --------------   -------------    -------------  --------------
                                                                                 (In thousands except per share amounts)


<S>                                                                         <C>             <C>               <C>            <C>    
Net earnings applicable to common stock:

  Net earnings .................................................            $12,879         $10,157           $29,478        $25,774
                                                                     ==============   =============    ============== ==============



Average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:

   Average number of common
     shares outstanding ........................................             17,050          17,181            17,096         17,282

   Dilutive effect of stock options
     computed on the treasury
     stock method ..............................................                405             229               386            236
                                                                     --------------   -------------    ------------- ---------------

                                                                             17,455          17,410            17,482         17,518
                                                                     ==============   =============    ============== ==============


Net earnings per common
     and common equivalent share ...............................           $   .74        $   .58            $  1.69        $  1.47
                                                                     ==============   =============    ============== ==============

  Primary and fully diluted earnings per share are substantially the same.

</TABLE>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-27
<SEQUENCE>5
<DESCRIPTION>FDS
<TEXT>

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
     This schedule contains summary financial  information  extracted from Graco
     Inc. and subsidiaries  consolidated statements of earnings and consolidated
     balance  sheets for the quarterly  period ending  September 26, 1997 and is
     qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                                                 0000042888
<NAME>                                                                GRACO INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                                               1,000
<CURRENCY>                                                          U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                                                                 <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                              3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    DEC-26-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                                       JUN-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                         SEP-27-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                                1
<CASH>                                                                     7,382
<SECURITIES>                                                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                             82,566
<ALLOWANCES>                                                               4,196
<INVENTORY>                                                               44,768
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                         148,562
<PP&E>                                                                   194,343
<DEPRECIATION>                                                            94,310
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                           257,661
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                     72,314
<BONDS>                                                                    8,765
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                                          0
<PREFERRED>                                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                                  17,020
<OTHER-SE>                                                               127,387
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                             257,661
<SALES>                                                                  305,740
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                         305,740
<CGS>                                                                    156,446
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                            156,446
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                         106,566
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                             101
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                           663
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                           42,728
<INCOME-TAX>                                                              13,250
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                       29,478
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                                              29,478
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                               1.69
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                               1.69
        



</TABLE>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----