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 Exchange Act of 1934


              Date of Report (date of earliest event reported): 
                                December 23, 1996


                                 AIRGAS, INC.
             ______________________________________________________
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



   Delaware                1-9344               56-0732648  
_______________    _______________________    _____________
(State or other    (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer
jurisdiction of                                Identification
incorporation)                                 No.)



                      100 Matsonford Road, Suite 550
                            Radnor, PA  19087           
                    _______________________________________
                    (Address of principal executive offices)



Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (610) 687-5253
                                                    _______________














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Item 5. Other Events.
        ____________

On December 23, 1996, Airgas, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release
reporting a fraudulent breach of contract by a third-party supplier of certain
gas products.


Item 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
         __________________________________________________________________

(a)  None

(b)  None

(c)  Exhibits.

     99  Press Release dated December 23, 1996








































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                                  Signatures
                                  __________


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

                         AIRGAS, INC.




                    BY:  /s/ Jeffrey P. Cornwell
                         _______________________
                         (Jeffrey P. Cornwell)
                         Vice President - Finance and
                         Corporate Controller


DATED:     December 23, 1996

EX-99

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                                          For more information:
                                          James N. Borum
                                          Scott Melman
                                          (610) 687-5253

      
AIRGAS REPORTS FRAUDULENT BREACH OF 
CONTRACT BY SUPPLIER

      Radnor, PA, December 23, 1996 -- Airgas, Inc. (NYSE:ARG) said today it
believes it has been the victim of a fraudulent breach of contract by a third
party supplier.  Airgas said it is pursuing various civil and criminal
remedies in connection with this matter.  The contract, which Airgas entered
into in late November, related to Airgas purchase of certain gas products for
resale to Airgas customers.  The amount paid in connection with these
purchases was approximately $23 million. As of today, Airgas cannot locate all
of the product purchased and paid for, and an Airgas customer claims that some
of the product does not meet specifications. 
      Airgas has also reported the third-party activities to its insurers and
intends to submit claims under policies which were obtained in connection with
this contract. Airgas stated that, although it is probable that it will suffer
a loss as a result of this fraud, at this time it is unable to calculate the
amount of such loss.  Airgas is vigorously pursuing the return of the payments
and other available remedies.
      This purchase contract was isolated to one small part of Airgas
business and does not affect the company's core business of industrial,
medical and specialty gases or our growth initiatives in the industrial
distribution and carbon dioxide areas, said Peter McCausland, Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer of Airgas.  We are vigorously pursuing all remedies.

      The statements in this press release relating to matters that are not
historical are forward-looking statements.  Important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those contained in any
forward-looking statement are described in the Company's reports, including
the Form 8-K, dated May 7, 1996, filed by Airgas with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.  Airgas does not undertake to update any forward-looking
statement that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of Airgas.