January 7, 1997
 
Dear Roper Industries, Inc. ("Roper") Employees' Retirement Savings Plan (the
"Plan") Participant:
 
  Please find enclosed Roper's 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders and the
accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement
which were recently mailed to our shareholders in advance of their February
14, 1997 Annual Meeting.
 
  As a participant in the Plan by virtue of your employment you have elected
that certain contributions to the Plan on your behalf be invested in Roper's
Common Stock acquired in the open market. All shares of Roper Common Stock so
held for the benefit of Plan participants as of the record date (December 27,
1996) for the 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be voted by the Plan
Trustee. In casting its votes, the Plan Trustee will consider the voting
preferences of those Plan participants who have invested in Roper Common
Stock.
 
  Accordingly, I encourage you to complete the enclosed white voting
preference card, sign it and provide your social security number, and return
it to the Plan Trustee in the envelope provided. Voting preference cards must
be received by February 7, 1997, in order to be considered by the Plan
Trustee.
 
Sincerely,
 
Shanler D. Cronk
General Counsel
 
Enclosures