1 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): April 21, 1997 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.) 259 Radnor-Chester Road, Suite 100 Radnor, PA 19087 _______________________________________ (Address of principal executive offices) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (610) 687-5253 _______________ 2 Item 5. Other Events. ____________ On April 21, 1997, Airgas, Inc. reported that its Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to one million shares of Airgas, Inc. common stock, as described in the press release attached as Exhibit 99 and incorporated herein by reference. Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits __________________________________________________________________ (a) None (b) None (c) Exhibits. 99 Press release dated April 21, 1997 3 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/ Thomas C. Deas, Jr. ___________________________ Vice President - Finance & Chief Financial Officer DATED: April 23, 1997