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                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 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): December 11, 1997


                           P. H. GLATFELTER COMPANY
            ------------------------------------------------------
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


              Pennsylvania            1-3560            23-0628360
           ----------------         ------------    ------------------
           (State or other          (Commission     (I.R.S. Employer
           jurisdiction of          File Number)    Identification No.)
           incorporation)
                                      
                                      
                 Spring Grove, Pennsylvania              17362
            --------------------------------------     ----------
           (Address of principal executive offices)    (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (717) 225-4711
                                                    --------------

                                Not Applicable
         -------------------------------------------------------------
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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                                    ITEM 5

        The Registrant has previously reported with respect to certain
environmental matters, including matters relating to the lower Fox River in
Wisconsin, on which the Registrant and six other companies operate or formerly
operated facilities. On December 11, 1997, the United States Environmental
Protection Agency ("EPA") terminated negotiations with the Registrant and the
six other companies and announced its intention to conduct a remedial
investigation and feasibility study ("RI/FS") on the lower Fox River and Green
Bay unilaterally with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The
Registrant believes that this development increases the likelihood that this
matter will end up in litigation. While the Registrant is disappointed with the
action taken by EPA, it was not unexpected.
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                                  SIGNATURE


        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                              P. H. GLATFELTER COMPANY 
                                              ------------------------ 
                                                    (Registrant)


Date: December 18, 1997                       By: /s/ Robert S. Wood
                                                  --------------------
                                                  Robert S. Wood
                                                  Secretary and Treasurer