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                                   For more information:
                                   Gordon L. Keen, Jr.
                                   William Sanford
                                   Britton H. Murdoch
                                   (610) 687-5253



AIRGAS, INC. TO ACQUIRE NATIONAL DISTRIBUTOR OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS AND
COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF ANOTHER GAS DISTRIBUTOR


     RADNOR, Pennsylvania, August 1, 1996 - Airgas, Inc. (NYSE-ARG),
announced today that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire Rutland Tool
& Supply Co., Inc., a Los Angeles-based distributor of metal working and
industrial tools and supplies.  In the transaction, which is scheduled to
close later in the month, Rutland shareholders will receive approximately $65
million of Airgas common stock in exchange for all of their Rutland stock.

     Rutland, which has annual sales of about $65 million, markets its
products through direct mail, catalogs and monthly flyers.  Rutland has eleven
locations throughout the United States and sells to customers in all 50
states.

     Airgas CEO, Peter McCausland, commented, "We are excited that Rutland
Tool will become the second acquisition in our Industrial Distribution
Division.  Rutland is a fast growing, national direct marketer of industrial
tools, MRO supplies and welding and safety equipment that fits in well with
our industrial distribution strategy.  Rutland's sales have grown at a 22%
compounded annual rate over the past four years.  There is almost a 100%
overlap between Rutland's customer base and Airgas' welding and metal fab
market segment.  Rutland is led by a strong management team who are excited
about joining forces with Airgas."

     In an unrelated transaction, Airgas announced that it has acquired
Herring Welding Supply.  Herring, based in Dothan, Alabama is a $3 million
distributor of industrial, medical and specialty gases, and related products. 
Herring operates from one additional location in Troy, Alabama and is an
add-on acquisition for Post Airgas based in Birmingham, Alabama.

     Since April 1, 1996 Airgas has announced the acquisition of 13
distributors, including Rutland, with annual sales of approximately $186
million.  Airgas is the largest distributor of industrial, medical and
specialty gases and related equipment in North America with annual sales in
excess of $1.1 billion.