SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q


             [ X ] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                  For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1996
                                                 -------------- 


                          Commission file number 1-7349

                                BALL CORPORATION

                           State of Indiana 35-0160610

                      345 South High Street, P.O. Box 2407
                              Muncie, IN 47307-0407
                                  317/747-6100


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [ X ] No [ ]

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

             Class                        Outstanding at April 30, 1996
         Common Stock,
           without par value                    30,197,709 shares



                        Ball Corporation and Subsidiaries
                          QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
                       For the period ended March 31, 1996



                                      INDEX



                                                                     Page Number
                                                                     -----------

PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Item 1.   Financial Statements

          Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income 
            for the three month periods ended March 31, 1996, and
            April 2, 1995                                                 3

          Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at 
            March 31, 1996, and December 31, 1995                         4

          Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
            for the three month periods ended March 31, 1996, and 
            April 2, 1995                                                 5

          Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial 
            Statements                                                    6

Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
            Condition and Results of Operations                           8

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION                                              10



PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.      Financial Statements


                        Ball Corporation and Subsidiaries
              UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                 (Millions of dollars except per share amounts)


                                                                                           Three months ended
                                                                                -----------------------------------------
                                                                                    March 31,              April 2,
                                                                                      1996                   1995
                                                                                -------------------    ------------------
                                                                                                 

   Net sales                                                                    $        462.0         $        605.6
                                                                                -------------------    ------------------

   Costs and expenses
     Cost of sales                                                                       424.5                  540.9
     General and administrative expenses                                                  19.6                   23.9
      Selling and product development expenses                                             4.5                    7.4
     Net gain on disposition of business and other                                        --                     (3.8)
     Interest expense                                                                      8.4                    9.6
                                                                                -------------------    ------------------
                                                                                         457.0                  578.0
                                                                                -------------------    ------------------

   Income before taxes on income, minority interests and
      equity in earnings of affiliates                                                     5.0                   27.6

   Provision for taxes on income                                                          (1.7)                 (10.1)

   Minority interests                                                                     --                     (1.4)

   Equity in earnings of affiliates                                                        2.2                    0.2
                                                                                -------------------    ------------------

   Net income                                                                              5.5                   16.3

   Preferred dividends, net of tax benefit                                                (0.8)                  (0.8)
                                                                                -------------------    ------------------

   Earnings attributable to common shareholders                                 $          4.7         $         15.5
                                                                                ===================    ==================

   Earnings per share of common stock                                           $         0.16         $         0.52
                                                                                ===================    ==================

   Fully diluted earnings per share                                             $         0.15         $         0.49
                                                                                ===================    ==================

   Cash dividends declared per common share                                     $         0.15         $         0.15
                                                                                ===================    ==================


See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.




                        Ball Corporation and Subsidiaries
                 UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                              (Millions of dollars)



                                                                                March 31,             December 31,
                                                                                  1996                    1995
                                                                             ----------------       ----------------
                                                                                              


ASSETS
Current assets
   Cash and temporary investments                                            $         18.8         $         5.1
   Accounts receivable, net                                                           242.6                 200.0
   Inventories, net
     Raw materials and supplies                                                        79.5                  82.8
     Work in process and finished goods                                               291.3                 235.7
   Deferred income tax benefits and prepaid expenses                                   89.1                  69.1
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------
     Total current assets                                                             721.3                 592.7
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------

Property, plant and equipment, at cost                                              1,210.4               1,146.8
Accumulated depreciation                                                             (534.7)               (518.2)
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------
                                                                                      675.7                 628.6
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------

Investment in affiliates                                                              257.4                 262.8
Goodwill and other assets                                                             144.5                 128.4
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------

                                                                             $      1,798.9         $     1,612.5
                                                                             ==================     ==================

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
   Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt                     $        198.2         $       155.0
   Accounts payable                                                                   215.6                 195.3
   Salaries, wages and other current liabilities                                      139.2                 147.2
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------
     Total current liabilities                                                        553.0                 497.5
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------

Noncurrent liabilities
   Long-term debt                                                                     456.8                 320.4
   Employee benefit obligations, deferred income taxes and other                      197.5                 205.9
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------
     Total noncurrent liabilities                                                     654.3                 526.3
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------

Contingencies
Minority interests                                                                      9.2                   6.0
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------

Shareholders' equity
   Series B ESOP Convertible Preferred Stock                                           65.1                  65.6
   Unearned compensation - ESOP                                                       (50.4)                (50.4)
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------
     Preferred shareholder's equity                                                    14.7                  15.2
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------

   Common stock (issued 32,365,775 shares - 1996;
      32,172,768 shares - 1995)                                                       299.1                 293.8
   Retained earnings                                                                  336.9                 336.4
   Treasury stock, at cost (2,245,509 shares - 1996;
      2,058,173 shares - 1995)                                                        (68.3)                (62.7)
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------
     Common shareholders' equity                                                      567.7                 567.5
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------

                                                                             $        1,798.9         $     1,612.5
                                                                             ==================     ==================


See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.




                        Ball Corporation and Subsidiaries
                        UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
                             STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                              (Millions of dollars)


                                                                                        Three months ended
                                                                             ---------------------------------------
                                                                                March 31,              April 2,
                                                                                  1996                   1995
                                                                             ----------------       ----------------

                                                                                              


Cash flows from operating activities
   Net income                                                                $          5.5         $         16.3
   Reconciliation of net income to net cash used in operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization                                                     20.2                   32.0
     Other, net                                                                       (12.0)                 (15.8)
     Changes in working capital components                                           (107.4)                 (80.1)
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------
       Net cash used in operating activities                                          (93.7)                 (47.6)
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------

Cash flows from financing activities
   Net change in long-term debt                                                       137.4                   (2.4)
   Net change in short-term debt                                                       41.8                   70.6
   Common dividends                                                                    (4.5)                  (4.5)
   Net proceeds from issuance of common stock under various employee and
     shareholder plans                                                                  5.3                   10.3
   Acquisitions of treasury stock                                                      (5.5)                 (10.3)
   Other, net                                                                           1.9                   (0.3)
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------
       Net cash provided by financing activities                                      176.4                   63.4
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------

Cash flows from investing activities
   Additions to property, plant and equipment                                         (57.7)                 (34.6)
   Net proceeds from disposition of business                                            -                     14.5
   Investment in affiliates                                                            (9.3)                  (1.1)
   Other, net                                                                          (2.0)                   3.1
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------
       Net cash used in investing activities                                          (69.0)                 (18.1)
                                                                             ------------------     ------------------

Net increase (decrease) in cash                                                        13.7                   (2.3)
Cash and temporary investments:
   Beginning of period                                                                  5.1                   10.4
                                                                             ==================     ==================
   End of period                                                             $         18.8         $          8.1
                                                                             ==================     ==================


See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.



Ball Corporation and Subsidiaries
March 31, 1996

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  General.

The accompanying  condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared
by the company  without audit.  Certain  information  and footnote  disclosures,
including  significant  accounting  policies,  normally  included  in  financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting  principles
have been condensed or omitted. However, the company believes that the financial
statements  reflect all adjustments  which are necessary for a fair statement of
the results for the interim period.  Results of operations for the periods shown
are not necessarily indicative of results for the year,  particularly in view of
some seasonality in packaging  operations.  It is suggested that these unaudited
condensed  consolidated  financial  statements and accompanying  notes should be
read in conjunction  with the  consolidated  financial  statements and the notes
thereto included in the company's latest annual report.

The preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with generally  accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect  the  reported  amounts  of assets  and  liabilities  and  disclosure  of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial  statements,  and
reported  amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting  period.  Future
events could affect these estimates.

2.  Reclassifications.

Certain prior year amounts have been  reclassified  in order to conform with the
1996 presentation.

3.  Severance Charges.

The company  eliminated  approximately 75 salaried  administrative and technical
positions  as  part of a cost  reduction  program  within  its  metal  packaging
business in March 1996.  For employees  whose  employment  was  terminated,  the
company incurred an after-tax  charge for severance of $1.7 million,  or 6 cents
per share included in general and administrative expenses.

4.  Equity Affiliate.

The company's  significant  equity  affiliate,  Ball-Foster Glass Container Co.,
L.L.C.  (Ball-Foster) reported the following unaudited financial results for the
three months ended March 31, 1996 (in millions):

  Net sales                                                           $   307.2
  Cost of sales                                                           276.4
  Net loss reported by Ball-Foster                                         (1.5)
  Net loss attributable to Ball Corporation                                (0.6)
  Net loss after taxes included in equity in earnings of affiliates   $    (0.2)

5.  Shareholders' Equity.

Issued and outstanding  shares of the Series B ESOP Convertible  Preferred Stock
(ESOP  Preferred) were 1,772,133  shares at March 31, 1996, and 1,786,852 shares
at December 31, 1995.



6.  Contingencies.

In the ordinary course of business,  the company is subject to various risks and
uncertainties  due, in part, to the highly  competitive nature of the industries
in which the company participates,  its operations in developing markets outside
the U.S.,  volatile costs of commodity  materials used in the manufacture of its
products,  and changing  capital markets.  Where possible and  practicable,  the
company attempts to minimize these risks and uncertainties.

From time to time, the company is subject to routine litigation  incident to its
business.  Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated
the  company as a  potentially  responsible  party,  along with  numerous  other
companies,  for the  cleanup of several  hazardous  waste  sites.  However,  the
company's  information  at this time does not indicate  that these  matters will
have a material, adverse effect upon financial condition, results of operations,
capital expenditures or competitive position of the company.



Item 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Consolidated net sales of $462.0 million for the first quarter of 1996 increased
11.8 percent  compared to the first  quarter of 1995,  excluding  1995 net sales
totaling  $192.3 million,  from the company's  former glass business and Efratom
time and frequency measurement division (Efratom),  which were sold in September
and March of that year, respectively. All product lines reported increased sales
enhanced by sales from the company's  polyethylene  terephthalate  (PET) plastic
container  business,  which began  operations  during the quarter.  Consolidated
operating  earnings for the first quarter of 1996 were $13.4 million as compared
to $39.5 million in the first  quarter of 1995.  This decrease was primarily due
to the  inclusion  of  earnings  from the glass  business  in the 1995  quarter,
reduced  profits in the metal  beverage  can business due to higher raw material
costs and price competition, costs in connection with the start-up of operations
of the PET plastic container business and costs incurred for reductions in metal
packaging administrative and technical staff.

Consolidated  interest  expense for the first  quarter of 1996 was $8.4  million
compared  to $9.6  million  for the first  quarter  of 1995.  The  decrease  was
attributable  to a  decrease  in the  average  level  of  short-term  borrowings
outstanding partially offset by an increase in long-term borrowings.

Net income  decreased  from $16.3  million for the first quarter of 1995 to $5.5
million for the same period in 1996,  while earnings per share decreased from 52
cents per share in 1995 to 16 cents per share in 1996.  In addition to the after
tax effects of operating  earnings,  lower net income  reflects the $0.2 million
loss from the  Ball-Foster  joint venture and a $0.4 million  after-tax loss for
EarthWatch,  Inc. (EarthWatch).  The PET start-up costs, the EarthWatch loss and
charge for  reductions in metal  packaging  administrative  and technical  staff
reduced earnings per share by 16 cents. Net income in 1995 includes an after-tax
gain of $7.7 million  resulting from the sale of the company's  Efratom division
net of a $4.9 million  after-tax  charge  related to the wind down of the visual
image generation systems (VIGS) business.

Business Segments

Packaging  segment net sales  represented  approximately  82.0  percent of first
quarter 1996  consolidated net sales and increased to $378.2 million compared to
$342.5  million  in the first  quarter of 1995,  exclusive  of 1995 sales of the
glass packaging  business.  Operating earnings declined for the first quarter of
1996 as a result of PET  start-up  losses,  including  operating  losses for the
start-up  operations  of the PET  plastic  container  manufacturing  facility in
Chino,  California;  the aforementioned charge for reductions in metal packaging
administrative and technical staff; increased aluminum costs and the competitive
pricing environment.

Within the packaging  segment,  sales in the metal container  business increased
9.1 percent for the three-month period due to higher North American beverage and
food  can unit  volumes  and  increased  international  sales.  The  effects  of
increased  unit volume  sales in the North  American  metal  beverage  container
business more than offset the effects of lower  selling  prices  experienced  in
that part of the business.  Operating  earnings  declined in the metal  beverage
container business reflecting increased costs of aluminum can sheet. Earnings in
the metal food container  business  improved for the quarter  reflecting  higher
unit volumes and sales prices.

Sales in the  aerospace  and  technology  segment  increased 4.6 percent in 1996
compared to 1995. This improvement was primarily due to percentage of completion
revenues  recognized  in  connection  with  prior year  contract  awards and was
partially  offset by the company's  sale of Efratom to Datum Inc. in March 1995.
EarthWatch,  a  subsidiary  of the  company  formed in late  1994,  merged  with
WorldView  Imaging  Corporation  during  the first  quarter of 1995 to serve the
market for satellite-based remote sensing of the earth. Development stage losses
of $0.4 million after-tax were recorded during the first quarter of 1996 related
to this joint venture. Backlog at the quarter end was approximately $419 million
compared to $420 million at December  31,  1995,  and $293 million at the end of
the first quarter of 1995.



RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER RESERVES

In 1993,  the company  recorded  aggregate  restructuring  and other reserves of
$108.7 million pretax in the third and fourth quarters for asset  write-offs and
write-downs to net realizable values,  employee costs,  termination benefits and
pension  curtailment losses. The balance of these reserves at December 31, 1995,
was $22.0  million,  of which $0.4 million was utilized  during the three months
ended March 31, 1996,  for plant  closings and $0.7 million was utilized for the
disposal of the visual imaging product line.

FINANCIAL CONDITION, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Cash used by operations increased from $47.6 million in 1995 to $93.7 million in
1996 as a result of working capital  requirements and decreased net income.  The
current ratio was 1.3 at March 31, 1996, compared to 1.2 at December 31, 1995.

Total debt increased by $179.6 million to $655.0 million at March 31, 1996, from
$475.4  million  at  December  31,  1995,   resulting  in  an  increase  in  the
debt-to-total  capitalization ratio to 52.5 percent at March 31, 1996, from 44.7
percent as of December 31, 1995.  The increase  occurred in both  short-term and
long-term borrowings. The $136.4 million net increase in long-term borrowings is
due almost  entirely  to the  completion,  in January  1996,  of a $150  million
private placement of long-term senior notes. The company had committed revolving
credit  facilities  as of March 31, 1996,  of $280.0  million with various banks
consisting  of  a  $150.0  million,   five-year  facility  and  several  364-day
facilities  amounting  to  $130.0  million.  The  company  also  has  $356.0  in
uncommitted  credit  facilities  from various banks,  of which $66.5 million was
outstanding,  and a Canadian dollar  commercial  paper facility of approximately
$88.3 million,  of which $65.4 million was  outstanding at quarter end. Under an
existing  receivable sale agreement,  a net amount of $66.5 million of packaging
trade  receivables  have been sold  without  recourse as of March 31, 1996 (fees
related to this  agreement  of $0.9  million and $1.2  million in 1996 and 1995,
respectively,   are   included  in  general  and   administrative   expenses  at
quarter-end).

The  company  anticipates  total 1996  capital  spending of  approximately  $280
million,  including significant amounts for emerging businesses such as domestic
plastic  (PET)  containers  and metal  beverage and food  containers  in  China.
Spending in existing  businesses is  concentrated  within the packaging  segment
including  conversion of a metal beverage  container  line to produce  two-piece
drawn and ironed food containers and completion of conversions of metal beverage
container equipment to new industry specifications.

In the ordinary course of business,  the company is subject to various risks and
uncertainties  due, in part, to the highly  competitive nature of the industries
in which the company participates,  its operations in developing markets outside
the U.S.,  volatile costs of commodity  materials used in the manufacture of its
products,  and changing  capital markets.  Where possible and  practicable,  the
company attempts to minimize these risks and uncertainties.

The preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with generally  accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect  the  reported  amounts  of assets  and  liabilities  and  disclosure  of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial  statements,  and
reported  amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting  period.  Future
events could affect these estimates.

From time to time, the company is subject to routine litigation  incident to its
business.  Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated
the  company as a  potentially  responsible  party,  along with  numerous  other
companies,  for the  cleanup of several  hazardous  waste  sites.  However,  the
company's  information  at this time does not indicate  that these  matters will
have a material, adverse effect upon financial condition, results of operations,
capital expenditures or competitive position of the company.



PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal proceedings

On April 17, 1996, the company was served with a lawsuit filed by Marian Steich,
Randall  Steich  and Ronald  Mark  Steich,  alleging  that the  company's  metal
container  group,  a/k/a  Ball  Corporation,  and over  fifty  other  defendants
disposed  of  certain  hazardous  waste at the  hazardous  waste  disposal  site
operated by Gibraltar Chemical Resources, Inc., located in Winona, Smith County,
Texas.  The lawsuit also alleges that American  Ecology Corp.,  American Ecology
Management  Corp.,  American  Ecology   Environmental   Services  Company  f/k/a
Gibraltar Chemical Resources,  Mobley Environmental  Services,  Inc., SSI Mobley
Co.,  Inc.,  Mobley  Company,  Inc. and the managers of the site for  Gibraltar,
failed to manage appropriately the waste disposed of or treated at the Gibraltar
site,  resulting in release of hazardous  substances into the  environment.  The
plaintiffs allege that they have been denied the enjoyment of their property and
have  sustained  personal  and bodily  injury and  damages due to the release of
hazardous  waste and toxic  substances  into the  environment  caused by all the
defendants.  The plaintiffs allege numerous causes of action under state law and
common  law.  Plaintiffs  also seek to recover  damages for past,  present,  and
future medical treatment; mental and emotional anguish and trauma; loss of wages
and earning capacity;  and physical impairment,  as well as punitive damages and
prejudgement  interest in  unspecified  amounts.  The company  intends to defend
against this matter. Based on the limited information  available to the company,
at this  time,  the  company  is unable to  express  an opinion as to the actual
exposure of the company for this matter.

Item 2.  Changes in securities

There were no events required to be reported under Item 2 for the quarter ending
March 31, 1996.


Item 3.  Defaults upon senior securities

There were no events required to be reported under Item 3 for the quarter ending
March 31, 1996.


Item 4.  Submission of matters to a vote of security holders

There were no events required to be reported under Item 4 for the quarter ending
March 31, 1996.


Item 5.  Other information

There were no events required to be reported under Item 5 for the quarter ending
March 31, 1996.


Item 6.  Exhibits and reports on Form 8-K

(a)      Exhibits

            10.1      Form of Amended and  Restated Severance Benefit  Agreement
                        dated May 1, 1996, which exists between the Company  and
                        its executive officers.

            11.1      Statement Re: Computation of Earnings per Share

            27.1      Financial Data Schedule

(b)      Reports on Form 8-K

         A Current  Report on Form  8-K,  dated  January  26,  1996,  announcing
         approval by the Board of  Directors  of an  extension  of the  benefits
         afforded  by the  company's  existing  shareholder  rights  plan by the
         adoption of a new shareholder rights plan, filed February 14, 1996.



                                    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.

Ball Corporation
(Registrant)


By:      /s/  R. David Hoover
         -------------------------
         R. David Hoover
         Executive Vice President,
           Chief Financial Officer
           and Treasurer

Date:          May 15, 1996
         -------------------------



                        Ball Corporation and Subsidiaries
                          QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
                                 March 31, 1996


                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
                 Description                                       Exhibit
                 -----------                                    -------------

Form of Amended and Restated Severance Benefit Agreement dated 
  May 1, 1996, which exists between the Company and its 
  executive officers.                                              EX-10.1

Statement Re: Computation of Earnings per Share                    EX-11.1

Financial Data Schedule                                            EX-27.1