8-K

                  SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                        Washington, D.C.  20549

                               FORM 8-K

                            CURRENT REPORT

                 Pursuant to Section 13 or 15d of the

                  Securities and Exchange Act of 1934


                      ---------------------------

                   Date of Report (Date of earliest
                     event reported) July 26, 1996



                            WLR Foods, Inc.
        (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         Virginia            0-17060              54-1295923
        (State of        (Commission File     (IRS Employer Iden-
      Incorporation)         Number)            tification No.)


                P.O. Box 7000                        22815
              Broadway, Virginia                  (Zip Code)
   (Address of Principal executive offices)


                            (540) 896-7001
                    (Registrant's telephone number,
                         including area code) 




Item 5.   Other Events

On  July 26,  1996,  the Company's  wholly-owned subsidiary,  Wampler-
Longacre,  Inc. changed its corporate  name to Wampler-Foods,  Inc.  A
copy of  the press release announcing  the change is set  forth in its
entirety as an exhibit hereto.


Item 7.  Exhibits

(99.1) Press release dated August 6, 1996.
















































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                               SIGNATURE

          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.

                              WLR Foods, Inc.


                              By:__/s/_James L. Keeler____________
                                   James L. Keeler
                                   President and
                                   Chief Executive Officer













































                                   3 


                             EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.      Description

(99.1)           Press release dated August 6, 1996






















































                                   4 

EX-99.1

                                                          EXHIBIT 99.1



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Analyst Contact: Stanley H. Gray,
                                        Director of Investor
                                        Relations
                                        540-896-7001

                       Media Contact:   Gail Price, Director of
                                        Corporate Communication
                                        540-896-0406
                                        (home) 540-743-4007


        WLR FOODS, INC. RENAMES SUBSIDIARY WAMPLER FOODS, INC.

Broadway, Virginia, August 6, 1996 --WLR Foods, Inc. (NASDAQ: WLRF)
today announced the renaming of its Wampler-Longacre, Inc. subsidiary
to Wampler Foods, Inc.  The subsidiary is a vertically integrated
poultry business that ranks as the second largest turkey company in
sales volume, the thirteenth largest chicken company, the eight
largest further processed meats company, and a leading poultry
exporter.


In making the announcement, WLR Foods, Inc. President and Chief
Executive Officer James L. Keeler stated,  "This week our quality
retail chicken products are being distributed under a new Wampler
Foods(R) logo.  Eventually, we plan to pack most of our products under
this Wampler Foods(R)label and are renaming our subsidiary as part of
this market strategy." 


Wampler Foods, Inc. President James L. Mason explained, "We found that
our consumers and trade partners simply refer to us as Wampler. 
Therefore, a simplified name and brand strategy only made sense.  It
allows us to achieve greater efficiencies throughout our organization
from purchasing and production all the way to sales and marketing. 
Consolidation under the Wampler Foods(R) label will allow us to move
forward with a more focused marketing effort than our previous
multiple brand approach.  Wampler Foods(R) more accurately describes
our 250+ product lines that span from fresh chicken and turkey
products to deli breasts, salads, and heat and serve entrees.   We
expect to realize significant savings with this change as we
consolidate brands to Wampler Foods(R) over the next six months." 


The newly designed brand mark builds on the Wampler-Longacre(R) logo
replicating its familiar shape and naming border.  The newly designed
rural scene emphasizes Wampler's family farm heritage and the personal
care Wampler products receive. 


WLR Foods is a fully integrated provider of high quality turkey and
chicken products, primarily under the Wampler Foods(R),  Wampler-
Longacre(R), Cuddy Family Farms(R), and Round Hill(TM) labels and
retail ice under the Cassco(R) label.  Wampler Foods, Inc. has
processing operations in Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia, and
Pennsylvania, close to its major mid-Atlantic markets.


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