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
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                          Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc.
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            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Maryland                              0-19065                  52-1532952
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(State or other jurisdiction      (Commission file           (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                      number)           Identification Number)
 
17801 Georgia Avenue, Olney, Maryland  20832
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (301) 774-6400
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Item 5. Other Events.
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     On April 16, 1997, Sandy Spring Bancorp, Inc. ("Bancorp") announced that
its Board of Directors had authorized the repurchase of up to 5% of the
4,920,838 outstanding shares of Bancorp common stock, par value $1.00 per share,
in connection with shares expected to be issued pursuant to Bancorp's dividend
reinvestment, stock option, and employee benefit plans and for other corporate
purposes. The share repurchases would be made on the open market and in
privately negotiated transactions, from time to time until March 31, 1999, or
earlier termination of the program by the Board. For additional information, see
the Press Release included as Exhibit 99.


Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
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(a)  Exhibit 99 - Press Release dated April 16, 1997



                                  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 hereunto duly authorized.

                                         SANDY SPRING BANCORP, INC.

                                         By:  /s/ Hunter R. Hollar
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                                              Hunter R. Hollar, President and
                                              Chief Executive Officer
Dated : April 21, 1997