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                        SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION  
                              Washington, D.C. 20549  
  
                                   FORM 10-K  
  
  
                ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF 
                      THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934  
  
   For the fiscal year ended June 29, 1997       Commission file Number 1-7829  
  
                             BOWL AMERICA INCORPORATED                  
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter.)  
  
          MARYLAND                                       54-0646173      
  (State of Incorporation)                (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 
  
  
              6446 Edsall Road, Alexandria, Virginia         22312       
             (Address of principal executive offices)     (Zip Code)  
  
                                (703)941-6300
              Registrant's telephone number, including area code  
  
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

     Title of Class                                  Name of Exchange on
                                                       which registered

Common stock (par value $.10)                       American Stock Exchange
     
     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 [X] NO [ ]  
  
     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K, Section 229.405 of this Chapter, is not contained
herein, and will not be contained to the best of registrant's knowledge, in
definitive Proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part
III of this Form 10-K or any amendments to this Form 10-K.  YES [X] NO [ ]

     As of August 15, 1997, 4,125,998 Class A common shares were outstanding, 
and the aggregate market value of the common shares (based upon the closing 
price of these shares on the American Stock Exchange) of Bowl America
Incorporated held by nonaffiliates was approximately $29 million; 1,536,146
Class B common shares were outstanding.  Class B common shareholders have the
right to convert their Class B common to Class A common stock on a share for
share basis. If the Class B shares were converted to Class A shares as of 
August 15, 1997, the total aggregate market value for both classes of common
stock would be approximately $40 million.  (This includes the amount of
shares held by all officers and directors as a group and by anyone known to
own more than 5% of the stock.)

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                         DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

     Portions of registrant's definitive proxy statements, which will be filed
with the Commission not later than 120 days after June 29, 1997 are incorpor-
ated into Part III of this Form 10-K. Portions of Bowl America's 1996 Annual
Report are incorporated by reference in Part II, Items 5,6,7 and 8.
      
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                            BOWL AMERICA INCORPORATED

                        INDEX TO FISCAL 1997 10-K FILING

                                    PART I
                                                                         Page
Cover Page
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Index

ITEM 1. Business
        (a)   General Development of Business                               1
        (b)   Financial Information about Industry Segments                 1
        (c)   Narrative Description of Business                             1
        (d)   Foreign Operations                                            1

ITEM 2. Properties                                                          2

ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings                                                   2

ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders                 2

                                    PART II

ITEM 5. Market for Registrant's Common Stock and Related Security 
        Holder Matters                                                      2 

ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data                                             2

ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
        Results of Operations                                               2

ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                         2

ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants and 
        Financial Disclosure                                                2

                                    PART III

ITEM 10.Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant                  3 

ITEM 11.Executive Compensation                                              3

ITEM 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management        
        (a) Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners                 3
        (b) Security Ownership of Management                                3
        (c) Changes in Control                                              3

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                            BOWL AMERICA INCORPORATED

                        INDEX TO FISCAL 1997 10-K FILING

                                   PART III
                                   continued

                                                                         Page  
ITEM 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions                  
        (a) Transactions with Management and Others                         3
        (b) Certain Business Relationships                                  3
        (c) Indebtedness of Management                                      3
        (d) Transactions with Promoters                                     3

                                   PART IV

ITEM 14.Exhibits, Financial Statements and Reports on Form 8-K
        (a)1. Financial Statements                                          3
        (a)2. Exhibits                                                      4
        (b)   Reports on Form 8-K                                           4

Signatures                                                                5-6  


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                                   PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

         (a)   General Development of Business

         Bowl America Incorporated (herein referred to as the Company) was 
incorporated in 1958.  The Company commenced business with one bowling center 
in 1958, and at the end of the past fiscal year, the Company and its wholly-
owned subsidiaries operated 23 bowling centers. 
         It did not renew the leases of the bowling center in Odenton,
Maryland, which lease expired May 31, 1997, and the bowling center in
Sanford, Florida, which lease expired June 15, 1997.
         The Company completed the enlargement of its bowling center in
Dranesville, Virginia from 32 lanes to 48 lanes and the expanded center opened
on February 1, 1997.  The Company is seeking other new bowling locations.

         (b)   Financial Information about Industry Segments

         The Company has no segments in different industries.  Its principal 
source of revenue consists of fees charged for the use of bowling lanes and 
other facilities and from the sale of food and beverages for consumption on the
premises.  Merchandise sales, including food and beverages, were approximately 
30% of operating revenues.  The balance of operating revenues (approximately 
70%) represents fees for bowling and related services.

         (c)   Narrative Description of Business

         As of September 1, 1997 the Registrant and its subsidiaries operated 
14 bowling centers in the greater metropolitan area of Washington, D.C., two 
bowling centers in the greater metropolitan area of Baltimore, Maryland, one 
bowling centers in the greater metropolitan area of Orlando, Florida, three 
bowling centers in the greater metropolitan area of Jacksonville, Florida, and 
three bowling centers in the greater metropolitan area of Richmond, Virginia.  
These 23 bowling centers contain a total of 886 lanes.   
         These establishments are fully air-conditioned with facilities for 
service of food and beverages, game rooms, rental lockers, and playroom 
facilities.  All centers provide shoes for rental, and bowling balls are 
provided free.  In addition, each center retails bowling acessories.
         The bowling equipment essential for the Company's operation is
readily available.  The major source of its equipment is Brunswick Corporation.
         The bowling business is a seasonal one, and most of the business takes
place from October through May.  It is highly competitive, but the Company has 
managed to maintain its position in the field.  The principal method of 
competition is the quality of service furnished to the Company's customers.  
Its primary competitors are two large bowling equipment manufacturers,
Brunswick Corporation and AMF, Inc.

         Compliance with federal, state and local environmental protection laws
has not materially affected the Company.

         The number of persons employed by the Company and its subsidiaries is 
approximately 750.

         (d)   Foreign Operations

         The Company has no foreign operations.

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ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

         The Company's general offices are located at 6446 Edsall Road, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22312.
         Seven of the Company's bowling centers are located in leased premises,
and the remaining sixteen centers are owned by the Company.  The Company's
leases, giving effect to option renewal periods, expire from 1998 through
2014 and the remainder thereafter.  In addition to the above, there is one
ground lease which expires in 2058.  The specific locations of the bowling
centers are discussed under Item 1 (c).

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         There are no material pending legal proceedings other than ordinary 
routine litigation incidental to the business.  There were no legal proceedings
terminated during the fourth quarter ended June 29, 1997.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

         No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the 
fourth quarter ended June 29, 1997.

                                   PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED SECURITY HOLDER 
         MATTERS

         The information set forth in the section entitled "Market
Information", "Holders", and "Dividends" on page 3 of the Company's June 29,
1997 Annual Report is incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

         The information set forth in the section entitled "Selected Financial
Data" on page 3 of the Company's June 29, 1997 Annual Report is incorporated by
reference herein.

ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND 
         RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

         The information set forth in the section entitled "Management's 
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" on 
page 2 of the Company's June 29, 1997 Annual Report is incorporated by
reference herein.

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

         The Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes thereto, the 
Independent Auditors' Report and the Selected Quarterly Financial Data 
(unaudited), as contained on pages 4 through 10 of the Company's June 29, 1997 
Annual Report, are incorporated by reference herein.

ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING 
         AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

         None

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                                   PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

         Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information 
called for by this item regarding directors is hereby incorporated by reference
from the Company's definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to
Regulation 14A not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered
by this report.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

         Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information 
called for by this item is hereby incorporated by reference from the Company's 
definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later 
than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

         Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information 
called for by this item is hereby incorporated by reference from the Company's 
definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later 
than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

         Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, the information 
called for by this item is hereby incorporated by reference from the Company's 
definitive proxy statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A not later 
than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this report.

                                   PART IV

ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K                

         (a)1.  Financial Statements

                The following consolidated financial statements of Bowl America 
         Incorporated and its subsidiaries are incorporated by reference 
         in Part II, Item 8:

                Independent auditors' report
                Consolidated balance sheets - June 29, 1997 and June 30, 1996
                Consolidated statements of earnings - years ended June 29, 1997,
                  June 30, 1996, and July 2, 1995
                Consolidated statements of stockholders' equity - years ended
                  June 29, 1997, June 30, 1996, and July 2, 1995 
                Consolidated statements of cash flows - years ended
                  June 29, 1997, June 30, 1996, and July 2, 1995
                Notes to the consolidated financial statements - years ended 
                  June 29, 1997, June 30, 1996, and July 2, 1995


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         (a)2.  Exhibits: 
         
                1. Subsidiaries of registrant

         (b)    Reports on Form 8-K:

                The Company filed a report on Form 8-K with respect to the 
         extension of the employment contract with Leslie H. Goldberg,
         President, for the period from July 1, 1997 to June 28, 1998.
         
         
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                             BOWL AMERICA INCORPORATED

                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on 
its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

BOWL AMERICA INCORPORATED


Leslie H. Goldberg                                  
Leslie H. Goldberg
President and Principal Executive
& Operating Officer

Date:  September 25, 1997



Ruth Macklin
Ruth Macklin
Senior Vice President-Treasurer

Date:  September 25, 1997


Cheryl A. Dragoo
Cheryl A. Dragoo
Assistant Treasurer and Controller
Principal Accounting Officer

Date:  September 25, 1997



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                             BOWL AMERICA INCORPORATED

                                     SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 
this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the 
registrant and in the capacities and the dates indicated.

Name, Title, Capacity


Leslie H. Goldberg
Leslie H. Goldberg
President, Principal Executive
& Operating Officer & Director

Date:  September 25, 1997

Ruth Macklin                                Howard Katzman
Ruth Macklin                                Howard Katzman
Senior Vice President-Treasurer             Senior Vice President-Secretary
and Director                                and Director

Date:  September 25, 1997                   Date:  September 25, 1997

Joan Sobkov                                 A. Joseph Levy
Joan Sobkov                                 A. Joseph Levy
Director                                    Director

Date:  September 25, 1997                   Date:  September 25, 1997

Warren T. Braham                            Merle Fabian
Warren T. Braham                            Merle Fabian
Director                                    Director

Date:  September 25, 1997                   Date:  September 25, 1997

Allan L. Sher
Allan L. Sher
Director

Date:  September 25, 1997