SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, D.C. 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)                  July 19, 1999

                                PRI AUTOMATION, INC.

              (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                                                       
        MASSACHUSETTS                  0-24934                   04-2495703
       (State or Other           (Commission File Number)      (IRS Employer
Jurisdiction of Incorporation)                              Identification No.)




                                                 
805 Middlesex Turnpike, Billerica,
Massachusetts                                       01821-3986
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)            (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area
code                                                (978) 670-4270


                             NOT APPLICABLE

         (Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

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ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS.

    On July 19, 1999, the Registrant announced in a press release its
financial operating results for the fiscal quarter ended June 27, 1999.

    A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current
Report on Form 8-K.

                                       2



                                   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.


                               
                                PRI AUTOMATION, INC.

                                Date: July 19, 1999

                                By:  /s/ STEPHEN D. ALLISON
                                     ---------------------------------
                                     Stephen D. Allison
                                     Chief Financial Officer