Exhibit 99

TO BUSINESS EDITOR:

Bush Industries Reports First Quarter Results

      JAMESTOWN, N.Y., May 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bush Industries, Inc.
(NYSE: BSH), a diversified global furniture manufacturer and leading supplier of
surface technologies, released its first quarter financial results for the
period ended March 29, 2003.

      Net sales for the first quarter decreased approximately 15 percent to
$74.9 million compared with $88.3 million in last year's first quarter. The
Company reported a net loss of ($13.1) million, or ($0.95) per diluted share,
compared with a net loss of ($1.3) million, or ($0.09) per diluted share in the
same quarter for the previous year. The 2003 results include a charge of
approximately $10.3 million net of income taxes ($15.4 million pre-tax), or
($.75) per diluted share, which was taken as part of our cost reduction
initiative to adjust Bush Furniture North America's capacity and lower overall
ongoing operating costs in all divisions. The 2002 results include a charge for
the cumulative effect of accounting change of approximately ($2.4) million or
($0.17) per diluted share for the impairment of goodwill attributed to the
Company's German operations.

      Also in the first quarter, we experienced a less favorable product mix and
a smaller than anticipated tax benefit. As a result, we believe that our 2003
estimated effective tax rate should be approximately 33%. This reflects the
impact of the above initiative, the Company's financial results and an estimated
reduction in state tax rates.

      Long-term debt increased $11.6 million in the first quarter, to $111.8
million compared to $100.2 million as of December 28, 2002. This increase was
primarily due to foreign exchange rate movements, expenses related to our cost
reduction initiative, and the funding of the Company's first quarter loss. The
increase in debt was offset by an increase in the Company's cash balances during
the quarter from $2.7 million to $4.5 million.

      "Consolidated net sales for the first quarter were on the lower side of
our previous guidance due to the continued economic and geopolitical
uncertainties. Net sales in our North American Furniture Division were below
expectations," commented Paul Bush, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bush
Industries.

      "We are committed to our cost reduction initiative in order to lower our
overall operating costs. Additionally, we remain just as committed to the growth
initiatives that will drive the business in each of our markets as we move
forward. The first phase of our cost reductions included the shut-down of our
St. Paul, VA manufacturing facility, personnel cost reductions across the
Company, and the write down of inventory that eliminated unprofitable product
lines. Additionally, to further streamline the Company, we announced the
realignment of our business into three operating divisions: Bush Furniture North
America, Bush Furniture Europe and Bush Technologies," Paul Bush continued.

      The next phase of our plan will transition our Erie, PA manufacturing
complex to support our North America Furniture's commercial office products and
home furnishings case-goods products. Also during the second quarter, the
Company's Jamestown, NY factories will be dedicated to supporting the Division's
RTA products.

      Select highlights by division that support our growth initiative are as
follows:

      * Bush Furniture North America (BF) --

      1) At the recent High Point Show, we gained further momentum from our
         diversification strategy of entering the casegoods home furnishings
         market under the brand name Eric Morgan.  Existing product and new
         expanded product offerings were enthusiastically received, and
         additional retail floor placements were achieved.  Additionally, new
         electronic products to support the new flat screen televisions were
         introduced and were well received by major retailers.  As a point of
         caution, sales with the electronic superstores continues to be soft
         in the second quarter.
      2) An office superstore announced a major commercial office initiative
         supported by our products.  Also, during the second quarter, we
         launched a promotional line of product offerings with this office
         superstore customer which achieved initial favorable results.
      3) During the quarter, we launched a major new commercial office
         product line, "Techno", which has a European design look and is
         ergonomically friendly.  The focus of this line is the commercial
         office market.

     * Bush Furniture Europe (BFE) --

       The European economy remains soft, but our continued gains in the
       European office superstores and from our previously announced new
       floor placement program are partially offsetting the slow economic
       conditions, especially in Germany.  BFE has been appointed "category
       manager" in one of its global office superstore partners for Germany
       and continues to achieve additional floor placements in this
       distribution channel for the second half of the year.  While we
       anticipate that second quarter sales levels will allow us to reach
       the breakeven income level, we feel that the effects of the lingering
       soft economy in Europe will continue to offset our cost savings and
       restructuring programs for the balance of 2003.

     * Bush Technologies (BT) --

       1) We have improved our "Resin to Retail" initiative by adding
          Just-in-Time Fashion which emphasizes our core competencies of
          Design-Technology-Merchandising.  This combination makes us more
          responsive to our customers by compressing time limitations between
          the inception of product development to actual shipment of the
          product.  Additionally, a major cell phone manufacturer utilized our
          Just-in-Time fashion process by featuring one of their products with
          our process as part of the 2003 NFL Draft Day gift package.
       2) In the second half of 2003, we anticipate realizing the benefits of
          our current efforts to diversify our overall product mix and
          customer base by expanding our franchise in the decoration of
          sporting goods and firearms.

      Guidance for Remainder of 2003

      The Company currently expects sales in the second quarter to be
approximately five to 10 percent lower than last year's second quarter sales of
$78.9 million and anticipates a fully diluted EPS of loss of ($0.05) to ($0.10)
which includes approximately ($0.05) per diluted share of expenses connected
with our cost reduction initiative. The second quarter improvement in EPS versus
the first quarter of 2003 will be mainly due to the impact of the cost-cutting
initiatives taken by the Company. At this time, Bush still expects to show
improvement over 2002 profit results for the full-year 2003, excluding any
charges relating to our cost reduction initiative and the costs incurred to
adjust North America Furniture's capacity.

      "During the second quarter, we are continuing the implementation of our
cost reduction and growth initiatives. As part of these initiatives, we
anticipate incurring further costs during the quarter of approximately $1.0
million pre-tax, primarily for severance and ongoing costs connected with our
St. Paul, VA facility," Mr. Bush concluded.

      Conference Call

      The Company will host a conference call with management on Friday, May 9,
2003 at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss first quarter results. Those who wish to
participate on the conference call may do so by calling the toll-free number
(888) 391-3141 approximately 15 minutes prior to the 8:30 a.m. ET starting time.
A replay of the call in its entirety will be available by telephone for seven
days following completion of the live call, at (888) 568-0403. The password for
the live call and the replay is 2874 and the leader's name is Don Hauck.

      The conference call will also be webcast simultaneously over the Internet
through Investor Broadcast Network's Vcall web site, which can be accessed at
www.vcall.com, and will be rebroadcast by Vcall through Friday, May 16, 2003.

      Additional financial and/or statistical information can be accessed at our
web site, www.bushindustries.com listed under the "About Us - Press Release"
section.

      Bush Industries, Inc. is a leading global manufacturer of
ready-to-assemble furniture, casegoods furniture, and a supplier of surface
technologies. The Company operates its business in three segments: Bush
Furniture North America, which concentrates on furniture for the commercial
office, home office, home entertainment, bedroom and other home furnishings
distributed by leading retailers; Bush Furniture Europe, which sells commercial,
home office and other furnishings in the European market; and Bush Technologies,
which is focused on the cell phone accessories after-market, as well as the
utilization of surface technologies in diverse applications such as automotive
interiors, cosmetics, sporting goods and consumer electronics. Bush operates
several manufacturing and warehouse facilities throughout North America and
Europe.


     BUSH INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

     Financial Highlights (Unaudited)

     The following data sets forth certain unaudited condensed consolidated
     statement of operations information for the three month periods as
     indicated:

                                                     For the 13 Weeks Ended
                                                     ----------------------
                                                     3/29/03        3/30/02
                                                     -------        -------

    Net Sales                                        $74,862        $88,332

    Costs and Expenses:
      Cost of Sales                                   65,292         63,675
      Selling, General and Administrative             19,427         21,094
      Interest Expense                                 1,763          1,725
      Restructuring Cost                               7,953             --
                                                    --------         ------
                                                      94,435         86,494

    (Loss) Earnings Before Income Taxes              (19,573)         1,838

    Income Taxes - Benefit (Expense)                   6,437           (745)
                                                    --------         ------

    (Loss) Earnings Before Cumulative Effect
      of Accounting Change                           (13,136)         1,093

    Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change                --         (2,398)
                                                    --------         ------

    Net Loss                                        $(13,136)       ($1,305)
                                                    ========         ======

    Basic (Loss) Earnings Per Share:
      Before Cumulative Effect of Accounting
        Change                                         ($.95)          $.08
      Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change              --           (.17)
                                                    --------         ------
      Net Loss                                         ($.95)         ($.09)
                                                    ========         ======

    Diluted (Loss) Earnings Per Share:
      Before Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change   ($0.95)         $0.08
      Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change            0.00          (0.17)
                                                    --------         ------
      Net Loss                                         ($.95)         ($.09)
                                                    ========         ======

    Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
      Basic                                       13,830,000     13,777,000
      Diluted                                     13,830,000     14,081,000


     Other Sales and Earnings Information (In Thousands):

                                                   For the Three Months Ended
                                                   --------------------------
                                                     3/29/03        3/30/02
                                                     -------        -------

    Net Sales From External Customers:
      Bush Furniture North America                   $55,110        $69,671
      Bush Furniture Europe                           15,203         13,976
      Bush Technologies                                4,549          4,685
                                                    --------         ------
    Consolidated Net Sales                           $74,862        $88,332

    Segment (Loss) Earnings Before Income Taxes
      and Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change:
      Bush Furniture North America                   ($2,264)        $2,647
      Bush Furniture Europe                             (755)          (499)
     Bush Technologies                                (1,145)          (310)
                                                    --------         ------
                                                      (4,164)         1,838

    Inventory Write Down Charge                       (7,456)            --
    Restructuring                                     (7,953)            --
                                                    --------         ------
    Consolidated (Loss) Earnings Before Income Taxes
      and Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change    ($19,573)        $1,838
                                                    ========         ======


     Certain Consolidated Balance Sheet Data (In Thousands):
     -------------------------------------------------------

                                                     3/29/03       12/28/02
                                                     -------       --------

    Cash and Cash Equivalents                          4,492          2,729
    Trade Receivables                                 15,197         16,544
    Inventories                                       52,637         56,204
    Total Current Assets                              82,079         86,145
    Property, Plant & Equipment (Net)                192,357        196,922
    Total Assets                                     302,422        310,105

    Current Liabilities                               52,176         51,344
    Long-Term Debt                                   111,770        100,223
    Total Liabilities                                180,390        174,020
    Stockholders' Equity                             122,032        136,085
    Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity       302,422        310,105


     Other Key Financial Data (In Thousands):
     ----------------------------------------

                                   For the Three Months Ended    For Full
                                   --------------------------   Year Ending
                                    3/29/03         3/30/02      12/28/02
                                    -------         -------      --------

    Depreciation and Amortization     4,793           4,950        20,053
    Capital Expenditures                707           1,636         5,533


      Certain statements and information included in this press release
constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Federal
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements
involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, which may cause the Company's
actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results.
Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the intent, belief,
projected or current expectations of the Company or its Officers (including
statements preceded by, followed by or including forward-looking terminology
such as "may," "will," "should," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate,"
"continue" or similar expressions or comparable terminology), with respect to
various matters. The Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of
activity, performance or achievements. Factors that could cause or contribute to
such differences include, but are not limited to, economic, competitive,
governmental and technological factors affecting the Company's operations,
markets, products, services and prices, and other factors discussed in the
Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").
Copies of the Company's SEC filings are available from the SEC or may be
obtained upon request from the Company. The Company does not undertake any
obligation to update the information contained herein, which speaks only as of
this date.