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                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.2(a)


                                FIRST AMENDMENT
                              TO THE LaBARGE, INC.
                        1987 INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION PLAN


     This First Amendment to the LaBarge, Inc. 1987 Incentive Stock Option Plan
(the "Plan") executed on May 4, 1995 on behalf of LaBarge, Inc. (the
"Company"), a Delaware corporation.

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, the Company adopted the Plan on July 20, 1987; and
     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company reserved the right to amend
the Plan in Article X of the Plan document; and
     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company now wants to amend the
Plan;
     NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is hereby amended in the following respects:
     Effective May 1, 1995, delete Section VI.D. and insert the following new
Section VI.D. in lieu thereof:

        D. Manner of Exercise.  An Option shall be exercised by giving a
     written notice to the President of the Company stating the number of
     shares of stock with respect to which the Option is being exercised and
     containing such other information as the President may request and by
     tendering payment in full therefore with a cashier's or certified check;
     Common Stock already owned by the holder of the Option having a fair
     market value equal to the option price; or a combination of a cashier's or
     certified check and Common Stock already owned by the holder of the option
     having an aggregate fair market value equal to the option price.  For
     purposes of this Section VI.D., "fair market value" is the closing price
     per share of Common Stock on the American Stock Exchange on the day
     immediately preceding the day on which an Option is exercised, or if there
     is no sale on such day, then the closing price per share on the last
     previous day on which a sale is reported.  If Common Stock is not listed
     on the American Stock Exchange on the day immediately preceding the day an
     option is exercised, the closing price per share of Common Stock as
     reported by the exchange upon which it is then listed, or if it is not
     then listed on any exchange, the closing price per share of Common Stock
     as reported by an automated quotation system shall be used to determine
     fair market value.  If Common Stock is not listed on any exchange or its
     price reported by an automated quotation system on the day immediately

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     preceding the day an Option is exercised, the Committee shall determine
     the fair market value of Common Stock for purposes of this Section VI.D.
     on the date of exercise of the Option.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this First Amendment to the
Plan to be adopted by its duly authorized officer.



                                        LaBARGE, INC.

ATTEST:

William  J. Maendu                      By:  Craig E. LaBarge
- ------------------                          --------------------
Secretary                                   President




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