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 27, 1998 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 North 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 27, 1998, Airgas, Inc. reported its earnings outlook for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 1998 and that its earnings for the fourth quarter will be impacted by the near-term effects of its "Repositioning Airgas for Growth" initiative and impending divestiture of several non-core businesses, and expects to take a one-time special charge related to the repositioning program. This announcement is 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 27, 1998 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 & Chief Financial Officer DATED: April 27, 1998