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                       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 17, 1997
                                                 -------------------------------


                          MELAMINE CHEMICALS, INC.
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)






          DELAWARE                      0-16032                  64-0475913 
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(State or other jurisdiction     (Commission File Number)      (IRS Employer 
     of incorporation)                                       Identification No.)



       HIGHWAY 18 WEST
 DONALDSONVILLE, LOUISIANA                                         70346    
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(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER)                         (ZIP CODE) 
                                                                            


Registrant's telephone number, including area code        (504) 473-3121
                                                  ------------------------------
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ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS

    On April 17, 1997, the Registrant issued the press release filed herewith
as Exhibit 99.


ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PROFORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS

    Exhibits.

    99.  Press release dated April 17, 1997.
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                                   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.



                                        MELAMINE CHEMICALS, INC.



Date:  April 17, 1997                   /s/ WAYNE D. DELEO                
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                                        Wayne D. DeLeo
                                        Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
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                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS




 Exhibit                                                          Page
   No.                          Exhibit                          Number
- ----------          ----------------------------------------     ------
                                                             
   99               Press Release dated April 17, 1997             5