8-K

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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                       Securities and Exchange Commission

        Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 1, 1998


                               HADCO CORPORATION
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


                    12A MANOR PARKWAY, SALEM, NEW HAMPSHIRE
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                                     03079
                                   (Zip Code)

                                 (603) 898-8000
               Registrant's telephone number, including area code


       MASSACHUSETTS                 033-95284                 04-2393279
State or other jurisdiction         (Commission              (IRS Employer 
      of Incorporation              File Number)            Identification)


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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.

    On May 1, 1998, Hadco Corporation (the "Company") issued
a press release, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 99 to this Current
Report on Form 8-K.

    On March 27, 1998, the Company received a written notice from legal
counsel for the Lemelson Medical, Education & Research Foundation Limited
Partnership (the "Lemelson Partnership"), alleging that the Company is
infringing certain patents held by the Lemelson Partnership and offering to
license such patents to the Company. The ultimate outcome of this matter is not
currently determinable, and there can be no assurance that the outcome of this
matter will not have a material adverse effect upon the Company's business,
financial condition and results of operations. Litigation with respect to
patents and other intellectual property matters can result in substantial
damages, require the cessation of the manufacture, use and sale of infringing
products and the use of certain processes, or require the infringing party to
obtain a license to the relevant intellectual property.

    On January 12, 1998, Hadco Santa Clara, Inc. (formerly Zycon Corporation)
received notice of the filing of a lawsuit, before the Superior Court (County
of Santa Clara, California), against it by Jackie Riley, Keith Riley and
Richard Riley for damages (including punitive damages) for alleged injuries
suffered, including Richard Riley's cancer, as a result of the alleged emission
at a Zycon Corporation facility of effluent from allegedly toxic and hazardous
chemical substances. Because this matter is at an early stage, the Company
believes it cannot assess the potential range of damages that might be awarded
should the plaintiffs prevail.

ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

    (C) Exhibits

        99.  Press Release, dated May 1, 1998

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                                   SIGNATURES

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

                                        HADCO CORPORATION

May 1, 1998                          By: /s/ Timothy P. Losik
                                        --------------------------------------
                                        Timothy P. Losik
                                        Chief Financial Officer
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                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.                           Exhibit
- -----------                           ------- 
    99                Press Release, dated May 1, 1998     

EX-99

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                                                                      Exhibit 99

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            Contact:


                          HADCO TO OFFER $200 MILLION
                       SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2008

     Salem, New Hampshire (May 1, 1998) -- Hadco Corporation (Nasdaq/NM:HDCO)
announced today that it intends to offer $200 million aggregate principal 
amount of senior subordinated notes due 2008 pursuant to Rule 144A under the 
Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

     The Notes will be unsecured senior subordinated obligations of Hadco. The
net proceeds from the sale of the Notes will be used to repay amounts
outstanding under Hadco's existing credit facility.

     The Notes have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration
or an applicable exemption from registration under the Securities Act.