EX-172
                                Exhibit 23.4






Consent of Independent Public Accountants


As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to incorporation by
reference of our report dated April 30, 1997, with respect to the financial
statements of National Welders Supply Company, Inc. for the nine months ended
March 29, 1997 (not separately presented), included in this Form 10-K of
Airgas, Inc. into Airgas, Inc.'s previously filed Registration Statements
(33-39433, 33-39325, 33-48388, 33-57893, 33-61301, 33-63201, 33-64633,      
33-61899, 333-08113) on Form S-3, and (Nos. 33-25419, 33-21780, 33-33954,
33-64056, 33-64058, 33-64112, 33-64114, 333-28261) on Form S-8.  


                                         ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Charlotte, North Carolina,
June 11, 1997.