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                    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, 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 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
                                                     _____________

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Item 5. Other Events.
        ____________

   On October 29, 1998, Airgas, Inc. reported its earnings for the second
quarter and six months ended September 30, 1998, 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 October 29, 1998





























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                                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/ Scott M. Melman
                                _______________________
                                Vice President &
                                Chief Financial Officer


DATED:     October 30, 1998