EXHIBIT 19

                              GIDDINGS & LEWIS 

          NEWS RELEASE
              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
              ---------------------

          FOR INFORMATION:
          Douglas E. Barnett                   Patricia B. Meinecke
          Vice President and                   Director of Communications
            Corporate Controller               (414) 929-4212
          (414) 929-4374


                      GIDDINGS & LEWIS SETS SEPTEMBER 11
                  AS DATE FOR SPECIAL SHAREHOLDERS MEETING

          FOND DU LAC, WI, JUNE 10, 1997 -- GIDDINGS & LEWIS, INC.
          (NASDAQ: GIDL)  announced today that its Board of
          Directors has set September 11, 1997 at 11:00 a.m. (CDT)
          as the date and time for a special meeting of its
          shareholders.  The record date for determining
          shareholders entitled to vote at such meeting is the
          close of business on July 3, 1997.  

                  This action follows the receipt by the Company of
          written demands from holders of over 10% of the Company's
          outstanding common stock requesting that a special
          meeting of shareholders be called.  Under the Company's
          by-laws and the Wisconsin Business Corporation Law, a
          special meeting of shareholders must be called upon the
          demand, in accordance with the by-laws, of holders of
          record of shares of the Company representing at least 10%
          of all votes entitled to be cast at the meeting.

                  Headquartered in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Giddings
          & Lewis is the largest supplier of industrial automation
          products and machine tools in North America, and among
          the largest in the world.  The company serves customers
          worldwide with products and services to improve
          manufacturing productivity.

                  To receive Giddings & Lewis's latest news at no
          charge via fax, simply call Company News On Call, 1-800-
          758-5804, ext. 119821.  Internet address: 
          http://www.giddings.com

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