UNITED STATES
                          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):  April 16, 1997



                                 OVERLAND DATA, INC.
                (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                      CALIFORNIA
                    (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

              0-22071                                 95-3535285
      (Commission File Number)              (IRS Employer Identification No.)


                8975 Balboa Avenue, San Diego, California  92123-1599
             (Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

                                    (619) 571-5555
                 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)



ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

Overland Data, Inc. (the "Company") incorporates by reference herein the press
release, dated April 15, 1997, with respect to the Company's announcement of its
earnings for the third fsical quarter ended March 31, 1997 and the initiation of
a stock repurchase program.


ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

(c) Exhibits.

         (i)  Exhibit 99 -- Press Release dated April 15, 1997.


                                      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.


                                       OVERLAND DATA, INC.
Date:  April 21, 1997                  By:  /s/ Vernon A. LoForti
                                            ---------------------
                                            Vernon A. LoForti
                                            Vice President and
                                            Chief Financial Officer