UNITED STATES 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): October 29, 2003 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 No.) incorporation) 259 North Radnor-Chester Road, Suite 100 Radnor, PA 19087-5283 _________________________________________ (Address of principal executive offices) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (610) 687-5253 _______________ Item 12. Disclosure of Results of Operations and Financial Condition ___________________________________________________________ On October 29, 2003, Airgas, Inc. (the "Company") reported its earnings for its second quarter and six months ended September 30, 2003, as described in the press release attached as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference. The information contained in this Form 8-K report shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing. Non-GAAP Measures: - ----------------- The press release attached as Exhibit 99.1 contains certain financial measures that are not defined under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP measure that provides investors meaningful insight into the Company's ability to generate cash from continuing operations, which can be used at management's discretion for acquisitions, the repayment of debt or to support other investing and financing activities. The Company uses the non-GAAP measure Adjusted Debt to provide investors with a more accurate and meaningful measure of the change in the Company's obligation to repay debt by adjusting for non-cash items and funds received (or repaid) under the trade receivables securitization program. The Company's intent is to provide non-GAAP financial information to enhance investors' understanding of the Company's consolidated financial statements and should be considered by the reader in addition to, but not instead of, the financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits __________________________________________________________________ (a) None (b) None (c) Exhibits. 99.1 - Press Release dated October 29, 2003 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. ------------ (Registrant) BY: /s/ Robert M. McLaughlin ------------------------ Robert M. McLaughlin Vice President & Controller DATED: October 30, 2003