UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

          [ X ]   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                    For the fiscal year ended October 3, 1997

                                       OR

        [    ]   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

   For the transition period from _____________ to ______________            

                         Commission file number 0-16255

                       JOHNSON WORLDWIDE ASSOCIATES, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

                   Wisconsin                              39-1536083
        (State or other jurisdiction of                (I.R.S. Employer
           incorporation or organization)            Identification No.)
                  1326 Willow Road, Sturtevant, Wisconsin 53177
                    (Address of principal executive offices)
                                 (414) 884-1500
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  None

           Securities registered pursuan to section 12(g) of the Act:

                      Class A Common Stock, $.05 par value

        Indicate  by check  mark  whether the  Registrant (1)  has  filed all
   reports  required to  be filed by  Section 13  or 15(d)  of the Securities
   Exchange Act of  1934 during the preceding 12 months  (or for such shorter
   period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has
   been subject to such filing requirements for the past 
   90 days.  Yes. [ X ]   No .  [   ]

         Indicate  by check mark if  disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant
   to Item  405 of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein, and will  not be
   contained, to the best  of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive  proxy or
   information  statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form
   10-K, or any amendment to this Form 10-K.     [    ]

        As of  November 15, 1997, 6,881,923  shares of Class A  and 1,227,915
   shares of  Class B common stock  of the Registrant were  outstanding.  The
   aggregate  market  value  of  voting  stock  of  the  Registrant  held  by
   nonaffiliates of the Registrant  was approximately $75,697,000 on November
   15, 1997.

   

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

                                                  Part and Item Number of 
                  Document                    Form 10-K into which Incorporated

    1.   Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc.          Part I, Items 1 and 2, 
         1997 Annual Report                          and Part II, Items 5, 6, 
                                                     7 and 8

    2.   Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc.          Part III, Items 10, 11, 
         Notice of Annual Meeting of                 12 and 13
         Shareholders and Proxy Statement for
         the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to
         be held January 28, 1998


   ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

   Johnson Worldwide  Associates, Inc.  and its subsidiaries  (the "Company")
   are engaged in the  manufacture and marketing of recreation products.  The
   Company's primary focus is on marketing and  product innovation and design
   to maintain its strong brand names and consumer recognition.  Research and
   development  activities for  each  of the  Company's principal  businesses
   emphasize  new  products and  innovation  to  differentiate the  Company's
   products from those of its competitors.

   The Company is controlled by Samuel C. Johnson, members of  his family and
   related entities.

   Motors and Fishing Products

   The overall motors and fishing markets in which the  Company competes have
   been  stagnant in recent years.  The  Company believes it has been able to
   maintain its share of most markets  primarily as a result of the Company's
   emphasis  on marketing  and product  innovation.   The Company  controls a
   majority of the electric  fishing motor market.  Consumer  advertising and
   promotion  include  advertising on  regional  television  and in  outdoor,
   general  interest and sports  magazines and in-store  displays.  Packaging
   and  point-of-purchase materials are used  to increase consumer appeal and
   sales.
                           Motors and Marine Products

   The Company manufactures, under  its Minn Kota and Neptune  names, battery
   powered motors  used on fishing boats  and other boats  for quiet trolling
   power  or primary propulsion.  The Company's  Minn Kota and Neptune motors
   and related accessories are sold in  the United States, Canada, Europe and
   the  Pacific Basin through large retail store  chains such as Wal Mart and
   K-Mart,  catalogs,  such as  Bass Pro  Shops  and Cabelas,  sporting goods
   specialty stores and marine dealers.  The Company's Lake Electric division
   manufactures electric motors for original equipment manufacturers.

   The Company's line of Airguide  marine, weather and automotive instruments
   is distributed primarily in  the United States through large  retail store
   chains  and  original  equipment  manufacturers.   Airguide  products  are
   manufactured by the Company or sourced from third-party manufacturers.

   The  Company was  a  leading supplier  in Europe  of  marine products  and
   accessories  primarily  for  sailing,  which the  Company  sold  under the
   Plastimo name.  Plastimo products and accessories included safety products
   (such as buoyancy vests and inflatable life rafts), mooring products (such
   as anchors, fenders and ladders),  navigational equipment (such as cockpit
   instruments,  automatic pilots  and  compasses) and  jib reefing  systems.
   Plastimo products  were sold to a  lesser extent in the  United States and
   other markets worldwide.  The Plastimo business was sold in January 1997.

   Fishing Products

   The Company's  fishing products include  Mitchell reels and  rods, Johnson
   reels,  Beetle Spin  soft body  lures and  Johnson spoons.   In  1995, the
   Company acquired the SpiderWire product line, giving it a leading brand in
   the "superline" segment of the fishing line market.

   The Company markets Johnson fishing reels, which are primarily closed-face
   reels,  as well as Mitchell reels, which are primarily open-faced spinning
   and bait casting reels.   Reels are sold individually and in  rod and reel
   combinations, primarily  through large  retail store chains,  catalogs and
   specialty  fishing  shops in  the United  States,  Canada, Europe  and the
   Pacific Basin.   The Company's  closed-face reels compete in  a segment of
   the U.S. fishing reel  market which is dominated by  larger manufacturers.
   Marketing support for  the Company's  reels is focused  on building  brand
   names,  emphasizing  product features  and  innovation  and on  developing
   specific segments of the reel market through advertising on television, in
   national  outdoor magazines  and  through trade  and  consumer support  at
   retail.  The Company's rods and reels are primarily produced  by off-shore
   manufacturing sources.

   The Company's artificial lure products are manufactured  by third parties.
   These products are sold primarily through large retail store chains.

   The Company purchases,  through third-party manufacturers, its  SpiderWire
   and  SpiderWire Fusion  products, which  have  performance characteristics
   superior  to those of monofilament  fishing line.   SpiderWire competes in
   the "superline"  segment of  the fishing line  category, while  SpiderWire
   Fusion is positioned just above  the high end of the monofilament  market.
   Late  in 1997,  the Company  introduced a  monofilament product  under the
   SpiderWire  brand.   These products  are sold  through large  retail store
   chains, catalogs and specialty stores.

   Outdoor Equipment Products

   The  Company's outdoor equipment products include  Eureka! and Camp Trails
   camping  tents and backpacks,  Jack Wolfskin camping  tents, backpacks and
   outdoor clothing, and Silva field compasses.

   Eureka! and Camp Trails  camping tents and backpacks compete  primarily in
   the mid- to high-price range  of their respective markets and are  sold in
   the  United States  and Canada  through independent  sales representatives
   primarily  to sporting  goods stores,  catalog and  mail order  houses and
   camping  and backpacking  specialty stores.   Marketing  of the  Company's
   tents and  backpacks is focused  on building  the Eureka! and  Camp Trails
   brand names and establishing the Company as a leader in product design and
   innovation.    The Company's  camping  tents  and  backpacks are  produced
   primarily by off-shore manufacturing sources.

   The  Company markets  both  Eureka! camping  and  commercial tents.    The
   Company's  camping  tents  have outside  self-supporting  aluminum  frames
   allowing  quicker and easier set-up, a design approach first introduced by
   the  Company.   Most Eureka!  tents  are made  from breathable  nylon. The
   Company's commercial tents include party tents and tents for fairs.  Party
   tents are sold primarily  to general rental stores while  other commercial
   tents   are  sold  directly   to  tent  erectors.   Commercial  tents  are
   manufactured by the Company in the United States.  The Company was awarded
   several contracts for production  of both camping and commercial  tents by
   the U.S. Armed Forces in 1997.  Eureka! products are sold under license in
   Japan and Korea.

   Camp Trails  backpacks consist  primarily of  internal and  external frame
   backpacks  for  hiking and  mountaineering.   The  Company's line  of Camp
   Trails backpacks also includes soft back bags, day packs and travel packs.
   Jack Wolfskin, a German  marketer of camping tents, backpacks  and outdoor
   clothing,   distributes  its   products  primarily  through   camping  and
   backpacking specialty  stores in  Germany with additional  distribution in
   other  European countries  and the  United States  and, under  license, in
   Japan.  Certain of these stores sell Jack Wolfskin products exclusively.
   Silva  field  compasses,  which are  manufactured  by  third  parties, are
   marketed exclusively in North America.

   Watercraft Products

   The  Company's watercraft are sold under the  Old Town name and consist of
   whitewater, tripping, touring and  general recreational purpose canoes for
   the high quality and mid-price segments of the canoe market and both entry
   level  and higher  performance  kayaks.    The  Company  has  developed  a
   proprietary roto-molding process for manufacturing  polyethylene canoes to
   compete in the higher volume mid-priced range of the market.  These canoes
   maintain  many  of the  design  and durability  characteristics  of higher
   priced  canoes.   The Company  also manufactures  canoes from  fiberglass,
   Royalex (ABS)  and wood.   In 1997,  the Company acquired  Ocean Kayak,  a
   leading  manufacturer  of sit-on-top  kayaks.   The  Company's  canoes and
   kayaks are sold primarily to sporting goods stores, catalog and mail order
   houses such as L. L.  Bean, canoe specialty  stores and marine dealers  in
   the  United States  and Europe.   The United  States market  for canoes is
   relatively  constant, while the kayak market  is exhibiting strong growth.
   The  Company believes,  based on  industry data,  that it  is the  leading
   manufacturer of  canoes and kayaks in  the United States in  both unit and
   dollar  sales.    Carlisle  Paddles, a  manufacturer  of  composite  canoe
   paddles,  supplies certain paddles that are sold with the Company's canoes
   and kayaks  as well  as paddles  which are  distributed  through the  same
   channels as the Company's watercraft.

   In  October  1997, the  Company acquired  the  stock of  Plastiques L.P.A.
   Limitee, the manufacturer of the Dimension brand of kayaks.

   Diving Products

   The Company believes  that it is one of  the world's largest manufacturers
   and  distributors of underwater diving  products which it  sells under the
   Scubapro  and  SnorkelPro  names.   The  Company  markets a  full  line of
   underwater   diving   and  snorkeling   equipment   including  regulators,
   stabilizing jackets,  tanks, depth  gauges, masks, fins,  snorkels, diving
   electronics  and other  accessories.   In 1997,  the Company  acquired the
   stock of  Uwatec AG, a  leading manufacturer of  dive computers and  other
   electronics  under  the Aladin  and Uwatec  names.   Scubapro,  Aladin and
   Uwatec products are marketed  to the high quality, premium  priced segment
   of  the  market.   The  Company maintains  a marketing  policy  of limited
   distribution  and  sells primarily  through  independent specialty  diving
   shops  worldwide.  These  diving shops generally  provide a wide  range of
   services to divers, including  instruction and repair service.   Scubapro,
   Aladin and Uwatec products are marketed globally.

   The  Company focuses  on maintaining  Scubapro, Aladin  and Uwatec  as the
   market  leader  in innovation  and new  products.   The  Company maintains
   research  and development functions both  in the United  States and Europe
   and  has  obtained several  patents on  products  and features.   Consumer
   advertising focuses on  building the brand names and position  as the high
   quality and innovative leader in the industry.  The Company advertises its
   equipment in diving magazines and through in-store displays.  

   The  Company maintains manufacturing and assembly facilities in the United
   States,  Switzerland, Mexico, Italy and Indonesia.  The Company procures a
   majority of its rubber  and plastic products and components  from offshore
   sources.

   In  October 1997, the Company acquired certain assets of Soniform, Inc., a
   manufacturer of  diving buoyancy  compensators primarily for  the original
   equipment market, which will expand the Company's manufacturing capability
   for these products.

   Sales by Category
   
   

   The following table depicts net sales by major product category:
 
   
                                        Year Ended
                              October 3                 September 27                September 29
                                1997             %          1996              %         1995               %
                                                         (thousands)
                                                                                         
   Fishing                    $66,313            22%       $72,561           21%       $71,329             21%
   Motors                      54,032            18         62,040            18        69,631             20
   Outdoor Equipment           74,915            25         78,337            23        78,029             23
   Watercraft                  22,885             7         18,050             5        18,066              5
   Diving                      77,066            25         76,999            22        74,430             21
                              -------          ----        -------           ---       -------            ---
     Subtotal                 295,211            97        307,987            89       311,485             90
                              -------          ----        -------           ---       -------            ---
   Divested Businesses          7,910             3         36,386            11        35,705             10
                              -------          ----        -------           ---       -------            ---
                             $303,121           100%      $344,373           100%     $347,190            100%
                             ========          ====       ========           ====     ========            ===
   

   Sales  to  Wal  Mart Stores,  Inc.  and  its  affiliated entities  totaled
   $33,799,000 in  1997 and $34,902,000  in 1995.  No  customer accounted for
   10% or more of sales in 1996.

   International Operations

   See Note 12  to the Consolidated  Financial Statements on  page 30 of  the
   Company's 1997 Annual  Report, which is incorporated  herein by reference,
   for   financial   information  comparing   the   Company's  domestic   and
   international operations.

   Research and Development

   The  Company commits  significant  resources to  research and  new product
   development.   The  Company expenses  research  and development  costs  as
   incurred.  The amounts expended by the Company in connection with research
   and development activities for each of the last three fiscal years are set
   forth in  the  Consolidated Statements  of Operations  on page  21 of  the
   Company's 1997 Annual Report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

   Competition

   The markets for most of the Company's products are quite competitive.  The
   Company  believes its products compete  favorably on the  basis of product
   innovation, product  performance and  strong marketing support,  and to  a
   lesser extent, price.

   Employees

   At  October 3, 1997, the Company had approximately 1,366 employees working
   in its businesses.   The Company  considers its employee  relations to  be
   excellent.

   Backlog

   The Company's businesses do  not receive significant orders in  advance of
   expected shipment dates.

   Patents, Trademarks and Proprietary Rights

   The  Company owns no single patent which is  material to its business as a
   whole.  However, the Company holds several patents, principally for diving
   products and  roto-molded canoes  and has  filed several applications  for
   patents.  The Company also has  numerous trademarks and trade names  which
   the Company considers important to its business.

   Sources and Availability of Materials

   The  Company's  products  use materials  that  are  generally in  adequate
   supply.  In 1995, however, the Company experienced shortages in the supply
   of  magnets, which are  key components used  in its electric  motors.  The
   shortage of magnets hindered the Company's ability to meet customer demand
   for its electric motor products for several months in 1995.

   Seasonality

   The Company's business  is seasonal.  The following  table shows total net
   sales  and operating  profit  of  the  Company  for  each  quarter,  as  a
   percentage of the total  year.  Inventory writedowns  of $10.3 million  in
   1996  are included as components  of the fourth  quarter operating losses.
   Nonrecurring charges  totaling $6.8 million impacted  operating results in
   the second, third and fourth quarters of 1996.

   
   

                                                                   Year Ended
                                 October 3, 1997                       September 27, 1996                September 29, 1995

                               Net          Operating                  Net      Operating                 Net     Operating
    Quarter Ended             Sales        Profit(Loss)               Sales   Profit(Loss)               Sales   Profit(Loss)
                                                                                                   
    December                    17%          (20)%                      17%        (26)%                   15%       (8)%
    March                       32            66                        32         169                     31        50
    June                        29            55                        32         141                     34        66
    September                   22            (1)                       19        (184)                    20        (8)
                               ---           ----                     ----        ----                   ----      -----
                               100%          100%                      100%        100%                   100%      100%
                               ===           ====                     ====        ====                   ====      =====

   

   Executive Officers of the Registrant

   The  following list  sets forth  certain information,  as of  November 15,
   1997, regarding the executive officers of the Company.

   R. C.  Whitaker, age 50,  became President and Chief  Executive Officer of
   the  Company in  October 1996.  From  December 1995  to October  1996, Mr.
   Whitaker  was  President  and  Chief Executive  Officer  of  EWI,  Inc., a
   supplier to the  automotive industry.   From 1992  to September 1995,  Mr.
   Whitaker  was Chairman,  President and Chief  Executive Officer  of Colt's
   Manufacturing Company, Inc., a manufacturer of firearms, and, from 1988 to
   1992, was President of Wheelabrator Corporation.

   Carl G.  Schmidt, age 41, became  Senior Vice President of  the Company in
   May 1995 and has been Chief  Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of
   the Company since July 1994.   From July 1994 until May  1995, Mr. Schmidt
   was a Vice  President of the Company.   From 1988 to  July 1994, he  was a
   partner in the firm of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.

   There are no family relationships between the above executive officers.

   ITEM 2.   PROPERTIES

   The Company  maintains both  leased and owned  manufacturing, warehousing,
   distribution and office facilities throughout the world.

   The  Company prefers  to  lease rather  than  own facilities  to  maintain
   operational flexibility and control  the investment of financial resources
   in property.   See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements on Page
   27  of the Company's 1997  Annual Report, which  is incorporated herein by
   reference, for a discussion of lease obligations.

   The Company believes  that its facilities are  well maintained and have  a
   capacity adequate to meet the Company's current needs.

   The Company's principal manufacturing  locations and distribution  centers
   are:

   Alton, Hampshire, England    Ferndale, Washington    Nykoping, Sweden
   Antibes, France              Genoa, Italy            Old Town, Maine
   Bad Sakingen, Germany        Grayling, Michigan      Racine, Wisconsin
   Barcelona, Spain             Hallwil, Switzerland    Rancho Dominguez, 
                                                          California
   Basingstoke, Hampshire,      Henggart, Switzerland   Rickenbach-Hottingen,
     England                                              Germany
   Binghamton, New York         Honolulu, Hawaii        San Diego, California
   Brunswick, Maine             Idstein, Germany        Salzburg-Glasenbach,
                                                          Austria
   Bruxelles, Belgium           Mankato, Minnesota      Silverwater, Australia
   Burlington, Ontario,         Marignier, France       Tijuana, Mexico
     Canada
   Chi Wan, Hong Kong           Meylan Cedex, France    Tokyo (Kawasaki), Japan


   The  Company's  corporate  headquarters  is  located  in  Mount  Pleasant,
   Wisconsin.  The Company's mailing address is Sturtevant, Wisconsin.

   ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

   The  Company is  subject to various  legal actions and  proceedings in the
   normal  course  of  business,  including those  related  to  environmental
   matters.  Although  litigation is  subject to many  uncertainties and  the
   ultimate  exposure with  respect to  these matters cannot  be ascertained,
   management does not believe the final outcome will have a material adverse
   effect on the  financial condition,  results of  operations, liquidity  or
   cash flows of the Company.

   ITEM 4.   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

   There  were no matters submitted to a  vote of security holders during the
   last quarter of the year ended October 3, 1997.

                                     PART II

   ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
           MATTERS

   Information with respect to this  item is included on pages 27, 29, 30 and
   32 and the inside back cover of the Company's 1997 Annual Report, which is
   incorporated herein by reference.

   There  is no  public market  for the  Registrant's  Class B  Common Stock.
   However,  the Class  B Common  Stock is  convertible at  all times  at the
   option of the holder  into shares of Class A  Common Stock on a  share for
   share  basis.  As  of November  15, 1997, the  Company had  742 holders of
   record of its Class A Common Stock and 67 holders of record of its Class B
   Common Stock.

   The Company has never paid a dividend on its Common Stock.

   ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

   Information  with  respect to  this item  is included  on  page 32  of the
   Company's 1997 Annual Report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

   ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
           RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   Information with respect to this item is included on pages 17 to 19 of the
   Company's 1997 Annual Report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

   ITEM 7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

   Information with respect  to this item is not required  to be disclosed by
   the  Company  until  the  Company  makes  filings that  include  financial
   statements for fiscal years ending after June 15, 1998.

   ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

   The following  consolidated financial statements and  supplemental data of
   the  Registrant and its  subsidiaries, included on  pages 20 to  32 of the
   Company's 1997 Annual Report, are incorporated herein by reference:

        Consolidated Balance Sheets - October 3, 1997 and September 27, 1996
        Consolidated Statements of Operations - Years ended October 3, 1997,
             September 27, 1996 and September 29, 1995
        Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity - Years ended October
             3, 1997, September 27, 1996 and September 29, 1995
        Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended October 3, 1997,
             September 27, 1996 and September 29, 1995
        Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
        Independent Auditors' Report
        Quarterly Financial Summary

   ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
           FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

   None.
                                    PART III

   ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

   Information with respect to  this item, except for certain  information on
   the Executive Officers  which appears at the end of Part I of this report,
   is included  in the Company's January  28, 1998 Proxy Statement,  which is
   incorporated  herein  by  reference,   under  the  headings  "Election  of
   Directors" and "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance."

   ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

   Information with respect to this item is included in the Company's January
   28, 1998 Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference, under
   the  headings  "Election of  Directors  - Compensation  of  Directors" and
   "Executive Compensation;" provided, however,  that the subsection entitled
   "Executive  Compensation  -  Compensation  Committee  Report  on Executive
   Compensation" shall not be deemed to be incorporated herein by reference.

   ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

   Information with respect to this item is included in the Company's January
   28, 1998 Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference, under
   the heading "Stock Ownership of Management and Others."

   ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

   Information with respect to this item is included in the Company's January
   28, 1998 Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference, under
   the heading "Certain Transactions."

                                     PART IV

   ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON
            FORM 8-K

   (a) The following documents are filed as a part of this Form 10-K:
        1.   Financial Statements:

             Included  in  Item 8  of  Part  II of  this  Form  10-K are  the
             following  Consolidated  Financial  Statements,   related  notes
             thereto, and independent auditors' report which are incorporated
             herein by reference from the 1997 Annual Report:

             Consolidated Balance Sheets - October 3, 1997 and September  27,
             1996
             Consolidated Statements  of Operations - Years  ended October 3,
             1997, September 27, 1996 and September 29, 1995
             Consolidated  Statements of Shareholders'  Equity -  Years ended
             October 3, 1997, September 27, 1996 and September 29, 1995
             Consolidated  Statements of Cash Flows  - Years ended October 3,
             1997, September 27, 1996 and September 29, 1995
             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
             Independent Auditors' Report

       2.    Financial Statement Schedules and Independent Auditors' Report:

             Included in Part IV of this Form 10-K is the following financial
             statement schedule and independent auditors' report:
          
             Independent Auditors' Report
             Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

             All other schedules are omitted because they are not applicable,
             are not required or equivalent  information has been included in
             the Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

        3.   Exhibits

             See Exhibit Index.

   (b) Reports on Form 8-K:

       On July 28, 1997, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K dated
       July 11, 1997 to reflect (under Item 2 of Form 8-K) the acquisition by
       a  second-tier subsidiary  of  the  Company  all  of  the  issued  and
       outstanding shares of capital  stock of Uwatec  AG.  On September  24,
       1997, the  Company filed an amendment  on Form 8-K/A  to the Company's
       Current  Report  on Form  8-K dated  July 11,  1997.   The  report, as
       amended, included (under Item  7 of Form 8-K) the  following financial
       statements:  Uwatec Group -- Combined Balance Sheet as of December 31,
       1996, Combined Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31,
       1996, Combined Statement  of Changes in  Shareholders' Equity for  the
       year ended December  31, 1996 and Combined Statement of Cash Flows for
       the  year ended  December  31,  1996;  and  the  Company  --Pro  Forma
       Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 27, 1997 and Pro Forma
       Condensed  Consolidated Statements  of Operations  for the  year ended
       September 27, 1996 and for the nine months ended June 27, 1997.

   INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT

   Shareholders and Board of Directors
   Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc.:

   Under date of November  11, 1997, we reported on  the consolidated balance
   sheets  of Johnson  Worldwide  Associates,  Inc.  and subsidiaries  as  of
   October  3,  1997 and  September 27,  1996,  and the  related consolidated
   statements of operations, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of
   the years in the three-year period ended October 3, 1997,  as contained in
   the 1997 Annual Report.   These consolidated financial statements  and our
   report thereon  are incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form
   10-K for  the fiscal  year 1997.   In  connection with  our audits  of the
   aforementioned  consolidated  financial statements,  we  also  audited the
   related consolidated financial statement schedule as listed in Item 14(a).
   This financial  statement schedule is the responsibility  of the Company's
   management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this financial
   statement schedule based on our audits.

   In  our opinion,  such  financial statement  schedule, when  considered in
   relation  to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole,
   presents  fairly,  in all  material  respects, the  information  set forth
   therein.

                                                  KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

   Milwaukee, Wisconsin
   November 11, 1997

   

               JOHNSON WORLDWIDE ASSOCIATES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                 SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

   
                                                              Additions       Reserves of
                                             Balance at      Charged to       Businesses                       Balance
                                              Beginning       Costs and       Acquired or                      at End
                                               of Year         Expenses          Sold          Deductions(1)   of Year

                                                                              (thousands)
                                                                                                   
   Year ended October 3, 1997:
     Allowance for doubtful accounts           $ 2,235           $1,604         $   217           1,363         $2,693
     Inventory reserves                         13,665              445           1,100           4,990         10,220

   Year ended September 27, 1996:
     Allowance for doubtful accounts             2,610            1,662              --           2,037          2,235
     Inventory reserves                          5,118           12,202              --           3,655         13,665

   Year ended September 29, 1995:
     Allowance for doubtful accounts             2,317            1,567              --           1,274          2,610
     Inventory reserves                          7,554            1,561              --           3,997          5,118


   (1)  Includes the impact of foreign currency fluctuations on this balance
        sheet account.

   
   

                                   SIGNATURES

   Pursuant  to the  requirements of Section  13 or  15(d) of  the Securities
   Exchange Act of  1934, the Registrant  has duly caused  this report to  be
   signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the
   Town of Mount Pleasant and State of Wisconsin, on the 18th day of December
   1997.

                                           JOHNSON WORLDWIDE ASSOCIATES, INC.
                                                       (Registrant)


                                       By           /s/ R. C. Whitaker
                                                      R. C. Whitaker
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer


   Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,  this
   report  has been  signed  by  the  following  persons  in  the  capacities
   indicated on the 18th day of December 1997.

         /s/ Samuel C. Johnson                  Chairman of the Board
          (Samuel C. Johnson)                        and Director

         /s/ Thomas F. Pyle, Jr.               Vice Chairman of the Board
          (Thomas F. Pyle, Jr.)                       and Director

         /s/ R. C. Whitaker                  President and Chief Executive
          (R. C. Whitaker)                       Officer and Director
                                             (Principal Executive Officer)

         /s/ Donald W. Brinckman                       Director
          (Donald W. Brinckman)

         /s/ Raymond F. Farley                         Director
          (Raymond F. Farley)

         /s/ Helen P. Johnson-Leipold                  Director
          (Helen P. Johnson-Leipold)

         /s/ Gregory E. Lawton                         Director
          (Gregory E. Lawton)

         /s/ Glenn N. Rupp                             Director
          (Glenn N. Rupp)

         /s/ Carl G. Schmidt              Senior Vice President and Chief
          (Carl G. Schmidt)                           Financial
                                           Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
                                         (Principal Financial and Accounting
                                                       Officer)
   

   EXHIBIT INDEX

       Exhibits                        Title                        Page
                                                                     No.

         3.1      Articles of Incorporation of the Company.          *
                  (Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Form
                  S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-16998, and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

         3.2      Amendment to Bylaws of the Company dated           -
                  October 7, 1997.

         3.3      Bylaws of the Company as amended through           -
                  October 7, 1997.

         4.1      Note Agreement dated May 1, 1993.  (Filed as       *
                  Exhibit 4 to the Company's Form 10-Q for the
                  quarter ended July 2, 1993 and incorporated
                  herein by reference.)

         4.2      Letter Amendment dated September 30, 1993 to       *
                  Note Agreement dated May 1, 1993.  (Filed as
                  Exhibit 4.8 to the Company's Form 10-K for
                  the year ended October 1, 1993 and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

         4.3      Second Amendment dated October 31, 1996 to         *
                  Note Agreement dated May 1, 1993.  (Filed as
                  Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Form 10-Q for
                  the quarter ended December 27, 1996 and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)
 
         4.4      Third Amendment dated September 30, 1997 to        -
                  Note Agreement dated May 1, 1993.

         4.5      Fourth Amendment dated October 3, 1997 to          -
                  Note Agreement dated May 1, 1993.

         4.6      Note Agreement dated October 1, 1995.  (Filed      *
                  as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Form 10-Q for
                  the quarter ended December 29, 1995 and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

         4.7      First Amendment dated October 31, 1996 to          *
                  Note Agreement dated October 1, 1995.  (Filed
                  as Exhibit 4.3 to the Company's Form 10-Q for
                  the quarter ended December 27, 1996 and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

         4.8      Second Amendment dated September 30, 1997 to       -
                  Note Agreement dated October 1, 1995.

         4.9      Third Amendment dated October 3, 1997 to Note      -
                  Agreement dated October 1, 1995.

         4.10     Credit Agreement dated November 29, 1995.          *
                  (Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Company's Form
                  10-Q for the quarter ended December 29, 1995
                  and incorporated herein by reference.)

         4.11     Amendment No. 1 dated July 1, 1996 to Credit       *
                  Agreement dated November 29, 1995. (Filed as
                  Exhibit 4.7 to the Company's Form 10-K for
                  the year ended September 27, 1996 and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

         4.12     Waiver and Amendment No. 2 dated November 6,       -
                  1996 to Credit Agreement dated November 29,
                  1995.

         4.13     Amendment No. 3 dated July 9, 1997 to Credit       -
                  Agreement dated November 29, 1995.

         4.14     Amendment No. 4 dated September 30, 1997 to        -
                  Credit Agreement dated November 29, 1995.

         4.15     Note Agreement dated as of September 15,           -
                  1997.

         9.       Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc. Class B         *
                  Common Stock Voting Trust Agreement, dated
                  December 30, 1993 (Filed as Exhibit 9 to the
                  Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
                  December 31, 1993 and incorporated herein by
                  reference.)

       10.1       Asset Purchase Agreement between Johnson           *
                  Worldwide Associates, Inc. and Safari Land
                  Ltd., Inc. dated as of March 31, 1995 (Filed
                  as Exhibit 2 to the Company's Form 10-Q for
                  the quarter ended March 31, 1995 and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

       10.2       Share Purchase Agreement by and between            *
                  Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc., Societe
                  Figeacoise de Participations and Plastimo,
                  S.A., dated as of January 30, 1997.  (Filed
                  as Exhibit 2 to the Company's Form 8-K dated
                  January 30, 1997 and incorporated herein by
                  reference.)

       10.3       Share Purchase Agreement by and between            *
                  Johnson Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Johnson
                  Worldwide Associates, Inc. and Heinz Ruchti
                  and Karl Leeman (the selling shareholders of
                  Uwatec AG), dated July 11, 1997.  (Filed as
                  Exhibit 2 to the Company's Form 8-K dated
                  July 11, 1997 and incorporated herein by
                  reference.)

       10.4+      Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc. Amended         *
                  and Restated 1986 Stock Option Plan.  (Filed
                  as Exhibit 10 to the Company's Form 10-Q for
                  the quarter ended July 2, 1993 and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

       10.5       Registration Rights Agreement regarding            *
                  Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc. Common
                  Stock issued to the Johnson family prior to
                  the acquisition of Johnson Diversified, Inc. 
                  (Filed as Exhibit 10.6 to the  Company's Form
                  S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-16998, and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

       10.6       Registration Rights Agreement regarding            *
                  Johnson Worldwide Associate, Inc. Class A
                  Common Stock held by Mr. Samuel C. Johnson. 
                  (Filed as Exhibit 28 to the Company's Form
                  10-Q for the quarter ended March 29, 1991 and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

       10.7+      Form of Restricted Stock Agreement.  (Filed        *
                  as Exhibit 10.8 to the Company's Form S-1
                  Registration Statement No. 33-23299, and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

       10.8+      Form of Supplemental Retirement Agreement of       *
                  Johnson Diversified, Inc.  (Filed as Exhibit
                  10.9 to the Company's Form S-1 Registration
                  Statement No. 33-16998, and incorporated
                  herein by reference.)

       10.9+      Johnson Worldwide Associates Retirement and        *
                  Savings Plan. (Filed as Exhibit 10.9 to the
                  Company's Form 10-K for the year ended
                  September 29, 1989 and incorporated herein by
                  reference.)

      10.10+      Form of Agreement of Indemnity and                 *
                  Exoneration with Directors and Officers. 
                  (Filed as Exhibit 10.11 to the Company's Form
                  S-1 Registration Statement No. 33-16998, and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

      10.11       Consulting and administrative agreements with      *
                  S. C. Johnson & Son, Inc.  (Filed as Exhibit
                  10.12 to the Company's Form S-1 Registration
                  Statement No. 33-16998, and incorporated
                  herein by reference.)

      10.12+      Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc. 1994 Long-      *
                  Term Stock Incentive Plan.  (Filed as Exhibit
                  4 to the Company's S-8 Registration Statement
                  No. 33-59325 and incorporated herein by
                  reference.)

      10.13+      Johnson Worldwide Associates, Inc. 1994 Non-       *
                  Employee Director Stock Ownership Plan. 
                  (Filed as Exhibit 4 to the Company's Form S-8
                  Registration Statement No. 33-52073 and
                  incorporated herein by reference.)

      10.14+      Separation agreement, dated July 18, 1996,         *
                  between the Company and John D. Crabb.  
                  (Filed as Exhibit 10.13 to the Company's Form
                  10-K for the year ended September 27, 1996
                  and incorporated herein by reference.)

      10.15+      Johnson Worldwide Associates Economic Value        -
                  Added Bonus Plan

        11.       Statement regarding computation of per share       *
                  earnings. (Incorporated by reference to Note
                  13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements
                  on page 30 of the Company's 1997 Annual
                  Report.)

        13.       Portions of the Johnson Worldwide Associates,      -
                  Inc. 1997 Annual Report that are incorporated
                  herein by reference.

        21.      Subsidiaries of the Company as of October 3,       -
                 1997.

        23.      Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.                  -

        27.      Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR version only)       -

        99.      Definitive Proxy Statement for the 1998            *
                 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (Previously
                 filed via the EDGAR system and incorporated
                 herein by reference.)  Except to the extent
                 incorporated herein by reference, the Proxy
                 Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of
                 Shareholders shall not be deemed to be filed
                 with the Securities and Exchange Commission
                 as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

   *  Incorporated herein by reference.
   +  A management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.