SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)          September 19, 2001
                                                  ------------------------------

                             PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


         DELAWARE                    0-4437                    42-0945849
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(State or other jurisdiction       (Commission                (IRS Employer
      of incorporation)             File Number)            Identification No.)


800 NW Chipman Road, Suite 5900
P.O. Box 648001
Lee's Summit, Missouri                                  64064-8001
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(Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip Code)



Registrant's telephone number, including area code           (816) 347-6000
                                                   -----------------------------



                                 Not applicable
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          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Item 5. Other Events

Payless Cashways, Inc. issued a press release today announcing the resignation
of all of the members of the Company's Board of Directors, among other things.



Item 7.    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

      (c)   EXHIBITS.  The following exhibit is filed herewith:

             99.1     Press Release dated September 19, 2001.

                                    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 hereunto duly authorized.

     Date: September 19, 2001
                                             PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.


                                             By: /s/ Richard B. Witaszak
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Richard B. Witaszak, Senior Vice
                                             President - Finance and Chief
                                             Financial Officer