SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



                                    FORM 10-Q



[ X ]    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

         For the quarterly period ended May 24, 1997

                                       OR

[   ]    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
         EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

         For the transition period from __________ to __________



                           Commission File No. 1-11274



                                FRED MEYER, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

               Delaware                                      93-0798201
    (State or other jurisdiction of                       (I.R.S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)                    Identification Number)

         3800 S.E. 22nd Avenue
           Portland, Oregon                                    97202
 (Address of principal executive offices)                   (Zip Code)

                                 (503) 232-8844
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                                 Not applicable.
              (Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
                         if changed since last report.)


     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.

          Yes  XX          No
              ----            ----



         Shares of Common Stock Outstanding at May 24, 1997: 26,642,779
<PAGE>
                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        FRED MEYER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                 (In thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)


                                                                                 May 24,         February 1,
                                                                                   1997                1997
                                                                             ----------          ----------
<S>                                                                          <C>                 <C>       
                                     ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:
   Cash and cash equivalents..............................................   $   64,152          $   48,769
   Receivables-net........................................................       25,265              23,729
   Inventories............................................................      624,356             604,910
   Prepaid expenses and other.............................................       32,911              43,149
   Current portion of deferred taxes.....................................        17,226              17,226
                                                                             ----------          ----------
      Total current assets...............................................       763,910             737,783
                                                                             ----------          ----------

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT-NET................................................      997,995             929,765
                                                                             ----------          ----------

OTHER ASSETS..............................................................       26,684              25,866
                                                                             ----------          ----------

         TOTAL...........................................................    $1,788,589          $1,693,414
                                                                             ==========          ==========



                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
   Accounts payable and outstanding checks................................   $  430,632          $  398,430
   Current portion of long-term debt
      and lease obligations...............................................        1,038               1,038
   Income taxes payable...................................................        7,077               5,115
   Accrued expenses and other.............................................      103,461              99,998
                                                                             ----------          ----------
      Total current liabilities...........................................      542,208             504,581
                                                                             ----------          ----------

LONG-TERM DEBT AND MORTGAGES..............................................      558,089             521,512
                                                                             ----------          ----------

CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS.................................................       13,182              13,227
                                                                             ----------          ----------

DEFERRED LEASE TRANSACTIONS...............................................       41,547              46,318
                                                                             ----------          ----------

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES.....................................................       35,176              35,176
                                                                             ----------          ----------

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES...............................................        5,555               5,302
                                                                             ----------          ----------

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
   Common stock...........................................................          291                 287
   Additional paid-in capital.............................................      215,722             203,314
   Retained earnings......................................................      447,381             434,122
   Treasury stock and other...............................................      (70,562)            (70,425)
                                                                             ----------          ----------
      Total stockholders' equity..........................................      592,832             567,298
                                                                             ----------          ----------

         TOTAL............................................................   $1,788,589          $1,693,414
                                                                             ==========          ==========


                 See notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

                                        2
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        FRED MEYER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                    (In thousands, except per share amounts)
                                   (Unaudited)



                                                                                     16 Weeks Ended
                                                                             ------------------------------
                                                                                 May 24,             May 25,
                                                                                   1997                1996
                                                                             ----------          ----------
<S>                                                                          <C>                 <C>       
NET SALES..................................................................  $1,193,936          $1,040,028
COST OF MERCHANDISE SOLD...................................................     838,515             737,956
                                                                             ----------          ----------

GROSS MARGIN...............................................................     355,421             302,072
OPERATING AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES......................................     320,428             273,736
                                                                             ----------          ----------

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS.....................................................      34,993              28,336
INTEREST EXPENSE-NET.......................................................      13,607              13,104
                                                                             ----------          ----------

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES.................................................      21,386              15,232
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES.................................................       8,127               5,788
                                                                             ----------          ----------

NET INCOME.................................................................  $   13,259          $    9,444
                                                                             ==========          ==========

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE..................................................        $.48                $.33
                                                                                   ====                ====

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF
   COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING...............................................      27,817              28,539
                                                                                 ======              ======



                 See notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

                                        3
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        FRED MEYER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

                                 (In thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)

                                                                                   16 Weeks Ended
                                                                             ----------------------------
                                                                               May 24,             May 25,
                                                                                 1997                1996
                                                                             --------             -------
<S>                                                                          <C>                  <C>    
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
   Net income.............................................................   $ 13,259             $ 9,444
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
      cash provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization of
         property and equipment...........................................     38,172              35,322
      Amortization of goodwill............................................         95                  95
      Deferred lease transactions.........................................     (4,771)               (860)
      Other liabilities...................................................        253                (430)
      Income taxes........................................................      1,961                (269)
      Inventories.........................................................    (19,446)            (38,454)
      Other current assets................................................      7,669               3,781
      Accounts payable and accrued expenses...............................     32,042              65,719
      Other...............................................................        144              (6,203)
                                                                             --------             -------

   Net cash provided by operating activities..............................     69,378              68,145
                                                                             --------             -------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
   Issuance of common stock-net...........................................     12,227                 151
   Increase (decrease) in outstanding checks..............................      3,622              (1,136)
   Increase in notes receivable...........................................       (139)               (273)
   Long-term financing:
      Borrowings..........................................................     36,845                 ---
      Repayments..........................................................       (313)            (39,632)
                                                                             --------             -------

   Net cash provided by (used for)
      financing activities................................................     52,242             (40,890)
                                                                             --------             -------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
   Purchases of property and equipment....................................   (111,702)            (36,131)
   Net proceeds from sale of real property................................      5,465               5,827
                                                                             --------             -------

   Net cash used for investing activities.................................   (106,237)            (30,304)
                                                                             --------             -------

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
   Net increase (decrease) for the period.................................     15,383              (3,049)
   Beginning of period....................................................     48,769              41,849
                                                                             --------             -------

   End of period..........................................................   $ 64,152             $38,800
                                                                             ========             =======

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
   Cash paid during the period for:
      Interest............................................................    $13,117             $12,510
      Income taxes........................................................      3,013               6,038


                 See notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>

                                        4
<PAGE>
                        FRED MEYER, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1.    Interim Reporting Periods
      -------------------------
      The Company's interim reporting periods for reports to stockholders are
      the 16th, 28th, and 40th weeks of its fiscal year.

2.    Inventories
      -----------
      Inventories consist mainly of merchandise held for sale. Substantially all
      of the inventories are valued at the lower of last-in, first-out (LIFO)
      cost or market. Estimated gross margins have been used for determining the
      cost of merchandise sold for those operating departments not taking
      physical inventories at the end of the interim periods.

3.    Income Taxes
      ------------
      Income taxes have been provided for based upon the current estimate of the
      Company's annual effective tax rate.

4.    Stockholders' Equity
      --------------------
      Changes in stockholders' equity for the sixteen weeks ended May 24, 1997
      were:
                                                              (In thousands)
                                                              --------------
       Stockholders' equity, February 1, 1997                   $567,298
       Issuance of common stock - net                             12,227
       Amortization of unearned compensation                          48
       Net income                                                 13,259
                                                                --------
       Stockholders' equity, May 24, 1997                       $592,832
                                                                ========

5.    Earnings Per Common Share
      -------------------------
      Fully diluted earnings per common share are computed by dividing net
      income by the weighted average number of common and common equivalent
      shares outstanding. Weighted average shares reflect the dilutive effect of
      outstanding stock options (ranging in exercise price from $12.125 to
      $41.25 per share) which was determined by using the "treasury stock"
      method.

      In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
      Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 128, Earnings Per
      Share, which establishes new standards for computing and presenting
      earnings per share (EPS) and applies to entities with publicly held common
      stock or potential common stock. SFAS No. 128 replaces the presentation of
      primary EPS with a presentation of basic EPS, requires dual presentation
      of basic and diluted EPS on the face of the income statement, and requires
      additional disclosures regarding EPS. SFAS No. 128 will require changes in
      the computation and presentation of the Company's EPS commencing with the
      financial statements for the year ending January 31, 1998 and require
      restatement of all prior periods presented. Earlier application of this
      statement is not permitted. However, if the Company computed its EPS for
      the 16 weeks ended May 24, 1997 in a manner consistent with SFAS No. 128,
      the pro forma amounts would have been as follows:

           Basic earnings per share                                 $.50
           Diluted earnings per share                               $.48
           Basic weighted average number of common shares
                outstanding to the nearest thousand               26,525
           Diluted weighted average number of common and
                common equivalent shares outstanding to
                the nearest thousand                              27,628

                                        5
<PAGE>
6.    Commitments and Contingencies
      -----------------------------
      The Company and its subsidiaries are parties to various legal claims,
      actions, and complaints, certain of which involve material amounts.
      Although the Company is unable to predict with certainty whether or not it
      will ultimately be successful in these legal proceedings or, if not, what
      the impact might be, management presently believes that disposition of
      these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's
      consolidated financial position or consolidated results of operations.

                                 ---------------

The financial information furnished in this Form 10-Q reflects all adjustments
of a normal recurring nature which, in the opinion of management, are necessary
for a fair presentation of the results for the 16 weeks ended May 24, 1997 and
May 25, 1996.

The consolidated results of operations presented herein are not necessarily
indicative of the results to be expected for the year due to the seasonality of
the Company's business. These consolidated financial statements should be read
in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes incorporated by
reference in the Company's latest annual report filed on Form 10-K.

                                        6
<PAGE>

                                FRED MEYER, INC.
                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

FINANCIAL CONDITION

The Company funded its working capital and capital expenditure needs in 1996 and
the first quarter 1997 through internally generated cash flow and sale-leaseback
proceeds, supplemented by borrowings under committed and uncommitted bank lines
of credit and unrated commercial paper.

The Company modified and extended its credit facility on April 23, 1997 with
several domestic and foreign banks for a committed line of credit which provides
for borrowings of up to $500.0 million. Modifications included more favorable
pricing as well as less restrictive financial covenants. This agreement
continues through June 30, 2002, at which time the agreement terminates and any
outstanding amounts must be paid in full. In addition to this committed credit
facility, at May 24, 1997 the Company had $105.0 million of uncommitted money
market lines with several foreign banks and $120.0 million of uncommitted money
market lines with banks which are also in the committed credit facility. The
bank lines and unrated commercial paper are used primarily for seasonal
inventory requirements, new store construction and financing, existing store
remodeling, acquisition of land, and major projects such as the development of
Management Information Systems. At May 24, 1997 the Company had unrated
commercial paper outstanding in the amount of $314.9 million and a total of
approximately $185.1 million available for borrowings that would be supported by
its committed credit facility.

The Company has entered into interest rate swap and cap agreements to reduce the
impact of changes in interest rates on its floating rate long-term debt. At May
24, 1997, the Company had outstanding four interest rate contracts, for a total
notional principal amount of $75.0 million, with commercial banks. Two swap
agreements effectively fix the Company's interest rate on unrated commercial
paper, floating rate facilities and uncommitted lines of credit at rates between
5.20% and 7.595% on a notional principal amount of $40.0 million. These
contracts expire through 1998. Two cap agreements effectively limit the maximum
interest rate the Company will pay at rates between 5.0% and 9.0% on notional
principal amounts totaling $35 million. These contracts expire through 1999. The
Company has entered into swap and cap agreements to reduce the impact of changes
in rent expense on its two lease lines of credit. At May 24, 1997, the Company
had outstanding seven rent rate contracts, for a total notional principal amount
of $80.0 million, with commercial banks. Three of these agreements effectively
fix the Company's rental rate on the lease lines at rates between 6.2775% and
6.5369% on notional principal amounts of $40.0 million. The remaining four
agreements effectively limit the maximum rental rate the Company will pay at
7.25% on notional principal amounts totaling $40.0 million. All seven of these
contracts expire in 2000. The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of
nonperformance by the counterparties to the interest rate and rent rate swap and
cap agreements. The Company requires an A or better rating of the counterparties
and, accordingly, does not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparties.

The Company believes that a combination of cash flow from operations and
borrowings under its credit facilities will permit it to finance its capital
expenditure requirements for 1997, currently budgeted to be approximately $167.0
million, net of estimated real estate sales and stores financed on leases. If
the Company determines that it is preferable, it may fund its capital
expenditure requirements by mortgaging facilities, entering into sale-leaseback
transactions, or by issuing additional debt or equity.

                                        7
<PAGE>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

COMPARISON OF THE 16 WEEKS ENDED MAY 24, 1997 WITH THE 16 WEEKS ENDED MAY 25,
1996.

Net sales for the first quarter of 1997 increased $153.9 million or 14.8% over
the corresponding quarter in 1996. This increase reflects sales growth at
existing stores, openings of new stores, and, to a lesser extent, inflation.
Comparable store sales increased 7.0% for the first quarter of 1997. Comparable
food store sales increased 6.0%, and comparable nonfood store sales increased
8.7%. The Company's food operations accounted for 59.8% of the overall sales in
1997 and 61.0% in 1996.

Gross margin as a percent of net sales was 29.8% for the first quarter of 1997,
compared with 29.0% in 1996's first quarter. Gross margins increased as a
percent of net sales due primarily to lower markdowns, the effects of increased
sales of higher-margin jewelry, mainly from 71 stores acquired in 1996, and the
improved mix of sales in nonfood, particularly in apparel.

Operating and administrative expenses as a percent of net sales were 26.8% for
the first quarter of 1997, compared with 26.3% in 1996's first quarter. Expenses
as a percent of sales increased in 1997's first quarter due to increased wages
in certain remerchandised nonfood sections of the multidepartment stores,
increased expenses in the fine jewelry stores, and expenses associated with the
opening of five new multidepartment stores versus one opening in 1996's first
quarter.

Net interest expense for the first quarters of 1997 and 1996 was $13.6 million
and $13.1 million, respectively.

The effective tax rate was 38.0% for the first quarters of 1997 and 1996.

Net income increased 40.4% to $13.3 million in the first quarter of 1997 from
$9.4 million in 1996. Earnings per share were $.48 for the first quarter of 1997
based on 27.8 million shares outstanding, compared with $.33 for the prior
year's first quarter based on 28.5 million shares outstanding.


EFFECT OF LIFO

During each year, the Company estimates the LIFO adjustment for the year based
on estimates of three factors: inflation rates (calculated by reference to the
Department Stores Inventory Price Index published by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics for softgoods and jewelry, and to internally generated indices based
on Company purchases during the year for all other departments), expected
inventory levels, and expected markup levels (after reflecting permanent
markdowns and cash discounts). The Company reviewed these year-to-date indices
at the end of the first quarter and adjusted its LIFO reserve on a year-to-date
basis to reflect the Company's overall product mix, anticipated year-end
inventory levels, and the Company's expectations of the indices for the
remainder of the year.

                                        8
<PAGE>
                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 5.   Other Information

          On May 11, 1997, Fred Meyer and Smith's Food & Drug Centers,
          Inc., a Delaware corporation, entered into an Agreement and Plan
          of Reorganization and Merger, which was filed with the Company's
          Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 11, 1997.

Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

      (a) Exhibit

          10I.  Form of Lease Agreement for substantially identical leases
                covering 36 stores and other locations leased by Fred Meyer,
                Inc. (or a wholly owned subsidiary) from Real Estate Properties
                Limited Partnership (formerly Fred Meyer Real Estate Properties,
                Ltd.) including form of Assignment of Master Lease wherein Fred
                Meyer Real Estate Properties, Ltd. (now Real Estate Properties
                Limited Partnership) assigned its interest to Metropolitan Life
                Insurance Company and a First Amendment to Lease Agreement,
                dated November 25, 1986, with appendices containing certain
                nonstandard provisions of the Lease Agreement and the First
                Amendment; Collateral Matters Agreement and Indemnification
                Agreement, each dated November 25, 1986, between Fred Meyer,
                Inc. and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit 10I to the Company's Annual Report on Form
                10-K for the year ended January 31, 1987 (File No. 0-15023).
                Memorandum of First Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated March 6,
                1987, between Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
                ("Metropolitan"), Landlord and Fred Meyer, Inc., Tenant; and
                Assignment of Master Lease, dated March 6, 1987, between Real
                Estate Properties Limited Partnership (formerly Fred Meyer Real
                Estate Properties, Ltd.) (Assignor) and Metropolitan (Assignee)
                for Nampa, Idaho. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10I to
                the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
                January 30, 1988 (File No. 0-15023). Form of Modification to
                Master Lease Agreement entered into as of February 4, 1997
                between Metropolitan, as Landlord and the Company, as
                Tenant/lessee relating to 29 leases with nonstandard provisions
                attached as appendices and form of Termination of Master Lease
                entered into as of February 4, 1997 with respect to six Premises
                and one distribution center. See appendices.

          10R.  Sale Agreement between Metropolitan, as Seller and the Company,
                as Purchaser dated as of February 3, 1997 for Juneau.

          10S.  Sale Agreement between Metropolitan, as Seller and the Company,
                as Purchaser dated as of February 3, 1997 for Columbia Falls and
                Kalispell.

          10T.  Sale Agreement between Metropolitan, as Seller and the Company,
                as Purchaser dated as of February 3, 1997 for Clackamas
                Distribution Center.

                                       9
<PAGE>
          10U.  Sale Agreement between Metropolitan, as Seller and the Company,
                as Purchaser dated as of February 3, 1997 for Roseburg.

          10V.  Sale Agreement between Metropolitan, as Seller and the Company,
                as Purchaser dated as of February 3, 1997 for Fourth Plain and
                Tacoma Lakewood.

          10W.  Agreement Concerning Miscellaneous Parcels, dated as of February
                4, 1997 between Metropolitan and the Company (Pad Agreements).

          11.   Computation of earnings per Common Share.

          27.   Financial Data Schedule.

      (b) Reports on Form 8-K

          Current Report on Form 8-K of Fred Meyer, Inc., dated May 11,
          1997 as filed with the Commission on May 14, 1997.

                                        10
<PAGE>
                                   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 thereunto duly authorized.


                                       FRED MEYER, INC.
                                       (Registrant)



Dated:   June 23, 1997                 DAVID R. JESSICK
         -------------                 -------------------------------
                                       David R. Jessick
                                       Senior Vice President - Finance
                                       Chief Financial Officer

                                       11
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit                                                              Sequential
Number   Document Description                                        Page Number
------   --------------------                                        -----------

10I.     Form of Lease Agreement for substantially identical
         leases covering 36 stores and other locations leased by
         Fred Meyer, Inc. (or a wholly owned subsidiary) from
         Real Estate Properties Limited Partnership (formerly
         Fred Meyer Real Estate Properties, Ltd.) including form
         of Assignment of Master Lease wherein Fred Meyer Real
         Estate Properties, Ltd. (now Real Estate Properties
         Limited Partnership) assigned its interest to
         Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and a First
         Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated November 25, 1986,
         with appendices containing certain nonstandard
         provisions of the Lease Agreement and the First
         Amendment; Collateral Matters Agreement and
         Indemnification Agreement, each dated November 25, 1986,
         between Fred Meyer, Inc. and Metropolitan Life Insurance
         Company. Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10I to the
         Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
         January 31, 1987 (File No. 0-15023). Memorandum of First
         Amendment to Lease Agreement, dated March 6, 1987,
         between Metropolitan Life Insurance Company
         ("Metropolitan"), Landlord and Fred Meyer, Inc., Tenant;
         and Assignment of Master Lease, dated March 6, 1987,
         between Real Estate Properties Limited Partnership
         (formerly Fred Meyer Real Estate Properties, Ltd.)
         (Assignor) and Metropolitan (Assignee) for Nampa, Idaho.
         Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10I to the
         Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
         January 30, 1988 (File No. 0-15023). Form of
         Modification to Master Lease Agreement entered into as
         of February 4, 1997 between Metropolitan, as Landlord
         and the Company, as Tenant/lessee relating to 29 leases
         with nonstandard provisions attached as appendices and
         form of Termination of Master Lease entered into as of
         February 4, 1997 with respect to six Premises and one
         distribution center. See appendices.

10R.     Sale Agreement between Metropolitan, as Seller and the
         Company, as Purchaser dated as of February 3, 1997 for
         Juneau.

10S.     Sale Agreement between Metropolitan, as Seller and the
         Company, as Purchaser dated as of February 3, 1997 for
         Columbia Falls and Kalispell.
<PAGE>
10T.     Sale Agreement between Metropolitan, as Seller and the
         Company, as Purchaser dated as of February 3, 1997 for
         Clackamas Distribution Center.

10U.     Sale Agreement between Metropolitan, as Seller and the
         Company, as Purchaser dated as of February 3, 1997 for
         Roseburg.

10V.     Sale Agreement between Metropolitan, as Seller and the
         Company, as Purchaser dated as of February 3, 1997 for
         Fourth Plain and Tacoma Lakewood.

10W.     Agreement Concerning Miscellaneous Parcels, dated as of
         February 4, 1997 between Metropolitan and the Company
         (Pad Agreements).

11.      Computation of earnings per Common Share.

27.      Financial Data Schedule.