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)

                          February 27, 1998
                            -------------

                     AMERICOLD CORPORATION
    (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


      Oregon                     33-12173            93-0295215
(State or other jurisdiction  (Commission File      (IRS Employer
      of incorporation)           Number)          Identification
                                                         No.)


7007 SW Cardinal Lane, Suite 135, Portland, Oregon       97224
    (Address of principal executive offices)          (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code (503) 624-8585





Item 8.     Change in Fiscal Year
            ---------------------


On February 27, 1998, the Board of Directors of Americold Corporation determined
to change the  corporaton's  fiscal  year end from the last day of  February  to
December 31. The change is effective as of December 31, 1997,  which will result
in an Annual Report on Form 10-K being filed for the transition  period March 1,
1997 to December 31, 1997.




                             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 thereunto duly authorized.




 
                              AMERICOLD CORPORATION



                              By /s/ Joel M. Smith
                                 --------------------------------
                                 Joel M. Smith
                                 Senior Vice President and Chief
                                 Financial Officer



Date:  March 11, 1998