UNITED STATES
                       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)   October 17, 2002
                                                        ------------------

                          Atchison Casting Corporation
                          ----------------------------
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         KANSAS                  1-12541               48-1156578
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(State or other jurisdiction   (Commission            (IRS Employer
    of incorporation)         File Number)         Identification No.)


400 South Fourth Street, Atchison, Kansas                 66002
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(Address of principal executive offices)               (zip code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code    (913) 367-2121
                                                   -----------------------------


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

Item 5.    Other Events.

Atchison Casting Corporation issued a press release announcing its fourth
quarter and Fiscal 2002 earnings results. A copy of the press release is
attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.


Item 7.    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

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

     99.1  Press release dated October 17, 2002



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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 hereunto duly authorized.

      Date: October 17, 2002



                                    Atchison Casting Corporation

                                    By: /s/ Kevin T. McDermed
                                        --------------------------------
                                          Kevin T. McDermed
                                          Chief Financial Officer




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