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

                                    FORM 8-K

                Current Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                           The Securities Act of 1934

Date of Report:  July 27, 1999


                             WILD OATS MARKETS, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

           Delaware                   0-21577                 84-1100630
(State or other jurisdiction of   (Commission File         (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)       Number)             Identification Number)

                               3375 Mitchell Lane
                             Boulder, Colorado 80301
          (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

                                 (303) 440-5220
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)





                                       1




ITEM 5.      OTHER EVENTS

     The  Registrant issued the press release attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this
Current Report on Form 8-K on July 27, 1999.


ITEM 7.      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS


     Exhibit 99.1  Press release of the Registrant dated July 27, 1999.



                                   SIGNATURES

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, thereunto duly authorized, on the 27th day of July, 1999.

        Wild Oats Markets, Inc.

        By /s/ Mary Beth Lewis
               Mary Beth Lewis
               Chief Financial Officer and Vice President, Finance
               (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)