================================================================================
                                                                         
                                                


               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 March 30, 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. 1-2267

                                   THE MEAD CORPORATION
                         (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                           Ohio                           31-0535759
                 (State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


                              MEAD WORLD HEADQUARTERS
                             COURTHOUSE PLAZA NORTHEAST
                                DAYTON, OHIO 45463
                          (Address of principal executive offices)

               Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 937-495-6323



  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 __ .
  
  The number of Common Shares outstanding at March 30, 1997 was
52,212,302.

===============================================================================

<PAGE>

           THE MEAD CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
           --------------------------------------------------
                  QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 30, 1997
                  -------------------------------------
                     PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                     ------------------------------

ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
         --------------------

THE MEAD CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
--------------------------------------------------

BALANCE SHEETS
--------------
(All dollar amounts in millions)

                                             March 30,    Dec. 31,   
                                               1997         1996     
                                             --------    --------   
ASSETS                                                              
------                                                              
Current assets:                                                     
  Cash and cash equivalents                  $   14.7    $   20.6   
  Accounts receivable                           573.8       578.2   
  Inventories                                   582.3       509.3   
  Other current assets                           88.8        81.2   
                                             --------    --------   
          Total current assets                1,259.6     1,189.3   
                                                                    
Investments and other assets:                                       
  Investees                                     156.7       154.9   
  Other assets                                  529.3       521.3   
                                             --------    --------   
                                                686.0       676.2   
                                                                    
Property, plant and equipment                 5,238.4     5,198.5   
Less accumulated depreciation and                                   
 amortization                                (2,120.6)   (2,078.1)  
                                             --------    --------   
                                              3,117.8     3,120.4   
                                             --------    --------   
          Total assets                       $5,063.4    $4,985.9   
                                             ========    ========   

LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY                                 
-----------------------------------                                 
Current liabilities:
  Notes payable                              $  100.3    $       
  Accounts payable                              336.8       358.9   
  Accrued liabilities                           358.9       371.9   
  Income taxes payable                            2.8        11.8   
  Current maturities of long-term debt           14.6        15.1   
                                             --------    --------   
          Total current liabilities             813.4       757.7   
                                                                    
Long-term debt                                1,248.7     1,239.7   

Commitments and contingent liabilities                              

Deferred items                                  755.9       742.1   
                                                                    
Shareowners' equity:                                                
  Common shares                                 155.6       155.5   
  Additional paid-in capital                     20.7        13.2       
  Foreign currency translation adjustment        (8.7)       (2.4)  
  Retained earnings                           2,077.8     2,080.1   
                                             --------    --------   
                                              2,245.4     2,246.4   
                                             --------    --------   
          Total liabilities and                                     
           shareowners' equity               $5,063.4    $4,985.9   
                                             ========    ========   
See notes to financial statements.

<PAGE>

THE MEAD CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
--------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
----------------------
 (All dollar amounts in millions, except per share amounts)

                                          First Quarter Ended   
                                          --------------------  
                                          March 30,   March 31,   
                                            1997        1996     
                                          --------    --------   
Net sales                                 $1,135.7    $1,067.2   
Cost of products sold                        940.5       863.2   
                                          --------    --------   
  Gross profit                               195.2       204.0   
                                                                 
Selling and administrative 
 expenses                                    142.3       134.9   
                                          --------    --------   
  Earnings from operations                    52.9        69.1   
                                                                 
Other revenues - net                           2.6         6.3   
Interest and debt expense                    (23.3)      (14.7)  
                                          --------    --------   
  Earnings from continuing operations                            
   before income taxes                        32.2        60.7   
                                                                 
Income taxes                                  11.8        22.5   
                                          --------    --------   
  Earnings from continuing operations                            
   before equity in net (loss) of                         
   investees                                  20.4        38.2   
                                                                 
Equity in net (loss) of                                    
 investees                                    ( .2)       (7.3)   
                                          --------    --------   
  Earnings from continuing operations         20.2        30.9   
                                                                 
Discontinued operations (Note G)                           5.4        
                                          --------    --------   
  Net earnings                            $   20.2    $   36.3   
                                          ========    ========   
Per common and common equivalent share:                         
  Earnings from continuing operations        $ .38       $ .58   
  Discontinued operations                                  .10   
                                             -----       -----   
  Net earnings                               $ .38       $ .68   
                                             =====       =====   
                                                                 
Cash dividends per common share              $ .30       $ .28   
                                             =====       =====   
Average common and common equivalent                             
 shares outstanding (millions)                53.0        53.5   
                                             =====       =====   

See notes to financial statements.

<PAGE>

THE MEAD CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
--------------------------------------------------
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
------------------------
(All dollar amounts in millions)

                                                          First Quarter Ended
                                                          -------------------
                                                          March 30, March 31,
                                                            1997      1996  
                                                          -------    -------   
Cash flows from operating activities:                                        
  Net earnings                                             $ 20.2    $36.3   
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to                                   
   net cash (used in) operating activities:                                  
    Depreciation, amortization and depletion of                              
     property, plant and equipment                           60.6     49.2   
    Depreciation and amortization of other assets            11.6     12.9   
    Deferred income taxes                                     3.4      7.1   
    Investees-earnings and dividends                          (.2)     6.8
    Discontinued operations                                           (5.4)
    Other                                                    (5.3)    (8.7)  
    Change in assets and liabilities:                                        
      Accounts receivable                                     4.4     69.5  
      Inventories                                           (73.0)  (113.7)  
      Other current assets                                  (10.0)   (13.4)  
      Accounts payable and accrued liabilities              (44.1)  (103.6)  
  Cash (used in) discontinued operations                              (1.2)  
                                                           ------    ------   
      Net cash (used in) operating activities               (32.4)   (64.2)  
                                                           ------    ------   
                                                                             
Cash flows from investing activities:                                        
  Capital expenditures                                      (66.8)   (77.6)  
  Additions to equipment rented to others                    (8.9)   (13.0)  
  Proceeds from sale of business                                      19.6   
  Other                                                       9.2    (25.8)  
                                                           ------    ------   
      Net cash (used in) investing activities               (66.5)   (96.8)   
                                                           ------    ------   
                                                                             
Cash flows from financing activities:                                        
  Additional borrowings                                     539.3     32.8   
  Payments on borrowings                                   (531.8)    (1.2)
  Notes payable                                             100.3
   Cash dividends paid                                       (15.7)   (14.8)  
  Common shares issued                                        8.1      2.3   
  Common shares purchased                                    (7.2)   (12.9)  
                                                           ------    ------   
      Net cash provided by financing activities              93.0      6.2  
                                                           ------    ------   
(Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                      (5.9)  (154.8)  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year               20.6    292.6   
                                                           ------    ------   
Cash and cash equivalents at end of quarter                $ 14.7   $137.8   
                                                           ======   ======   
See notes to financial statements.

<PAGE>

THE MEAD CORPORATION AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
--------------------------------------------------

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
-----------------------------
(All dollar amounts in millions)

A - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The balance sheet at December 31, 1996 is condensed financial information
taken from the audited balance sheet.  The interim financial statements
are unaudited.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which
consist only of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly
the financial position and results of operations for the interim periods
presented have been made.

B - ACCOUNTING POLICIES

On an interim basis, all costs subject to recurring year-end adjustments
have been estimated and allocated ratably to the quarters.  Income taxes
have been provided based on the estimated tax rate for the respective
years after excluding infrequently occurring items whose specific tax
effect is reported during the same interim period as the related
transaction.

C - INVENTORIES

The amount of inventories is (principally last-in, first-out method): 

                                        March 30,   Dec. 31,   
                                          1997        1996      
                                         ------      ------     
Finished and semi-finished products      $407.5     $ 337.8     
Raw materials                              92.1        91.2    
Stores and supplies                        82.7        80.3    
                                         ------      ------     
                                         $582.3     $ 509.3    
                                         ======      ======     

D - INVESTEES

The summarized operating data for all investees is presented in the
following table:

                                        First Quarter Ended    
                                        --------------------   
                                        March 30,  March 31,   
                                          1997        1996      
                                        --------    --------    
                                                                
Revenues                                 $179.3      $145.2     
                                         ======      ======     
Gross profit (loss)                      $ 11.7      $(15.4)     
                                         ======      ======     
Net earnings (loss)                      $  2.0      $(13.6)     
                                         ======      ======     

<PAGE>

E - ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CASH FLOWS

                                        First Quarter Ended    
                                        --------------------   
                                        March 30,   March 31,   
                                          1997        1996      
                                        --------    --------    
                                                                
Cash paid (refunded) for:                                                  
  Interest                               $ 24.4      $ 22.8     
                                         ======      ======     
  Income taxes                           $ (3.0)     $  7.4     
                                         ======      ======     

F - SHAREOWNERS' EQUITY

During the first quarter of 1997, the Company repurchased 125,000 common
shares on the open market.  The Company has outstanding authorization from
the Board of Directors to repurchase up to five million common shares, of
which 2.1 million shares have been repurchased as of the end of the first
quarter of 1997.

G - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Mead sold its previously discontinued Imaging business during the first
quarter of 1996. The sale resulted in a gain of $5.4 million, net of
income tax of $3.2 million.

H - EARNINGS PER SHARE

The Company calculates earnings per share using methods prescribed by
Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) No. 15, "Earnings per Share." In
February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 128, "Earnings per Share,"
which replaces APB No. 15 and requires adoption for periods ending after
December 31, 1997. The Statement will require dual presentation of basic
and diluted earnings per share on the face of the income statement. For
the periods ended March 30, 1997 and March 31, 1996, the basic and diluted
earnings per share calculated pursuant to SFAS No. 128 are not
materially different from primary earnings per share calculated under APB
No. 15.

<PAGE>

ITEM 2.     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
            -----------------------------------------------------------
            AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
            -------------------------

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
---------------------

Net Sales
---------
First quarter 1997 net sales were $1.14 billion, a 6% increase over the
$1.07 billion generated for the same quarter of 1996.  Excluding the sales
of the Rumford, Maine coated and specialty paper mill acquired in
November, 1996, net sales would have been slightly lower than the prior
year.  Sales volume was strong throughout the first quarter of 1997
compared with 1996.   Average selling prices were lower in the first
quarter of 1997 for coated paper grades, corrugated containers and
corrugating medium compared with the first quarter of 1996.  Mead's
distribution business, Zellerbach, experienced both lower volume and
selling prices in 1997.  At the start of the second quarter, backlogs in
coated papers and demand, in general, for most of the Company's products
remain strong.

Operating Costs and Expenses
----------------------------
Gross profit as a percent of sales fell to 17.2% for the first quarter of
1997 from 19.1% for the first quarter of 1996 due primarily to lower
selling prices. Most of Mead's divisions operated well during the quarter
and achieved significant productivity gains.   The Company has invested
significantly over the last several years to make its operations more
cost-effective.  During the second quarter of 1997, the #1 paperboard
machine at the Mahrt, Alabama, coated board mill will be out of production
for a scheduled rebuild.  The machine is expected to be out of service for
four weeks, but no interruption in customer service is expected.

Selling and administrative expenses totaled $142.3 million in the first
quarter of 1997, a $7.4 million increase from the same quarter of 1996. 
The addition of the Rumford, Maine, coated and specialty paper mill
accounted for a significant portion of the increase.  As a percent of net
sales, these expenses were 12.5% in the first quarter of 1997 compared with
12.6% for the same quarter of 1996.

Other Revenues
--------------
Other revenues were not significant in either the first quarter of 1997 or
the first quarter of 1996.

Interest and Debt Expense
-------------------------
First quarter 1997 interest and debt expense was $23.3 million, a 59%
increase over the $14.7 million incurred in the first quarter of 1996. 
The increase is attributed to additional debt levels in 1997, primarily
associated with the addition of the Rumford, Maine, mill.

Income Taxes
------------
The effective tax rate was 36.6% for the first quarter of 1997 compared
with 37.1% for the comparable quarter of 1996.

Equity in Net Earnings of Investees
-----------------------------------
Mead's investees, consisting primarily of its 50% owned Northwood
companies, recorded a loss of $.2 million in the first quarter of 1997
compared with a loss of $7.3 million in the same quarter of 1996.  In the
first quarter of 1996, Northwood experienced rapidly falling selling
prices, weakening demand for pulp and wood products, and severe weather-
related operating problems.  Furthermore, it recorded an inventory write-
down in the first quarter of 1996 and took several days of downtime for
both pulp and wood operations in the first and second quarters of 1996. 
In 1997, prices for pulp and oriented structural board (OSB) have
averaged, respectively, about 20% and 30% lower than a year ago.  Sales
volume of pulp is significantly higher in the first quarter of 1997
compared with the same period of 1996 while sales of OSB are slightly
ahead of last year.  Lumber prices have rebounded significantly from the
first quarter of 1996, but volume is below last year's levels.  Overall,
Northwood's lumber and pulp mills have operated better in 1997 than in the
first quarter of 1996.  Northwood's pulp mill labor contracts expired on
April 30, 1997 and the wood products contracts expire at the end of June
1997.  Negotiations are in progress, but no agreements have been reached.

<PAGE>

Along with the Rumford, Maine, coated and specialty paper mill, Mead
acquired a 30% ownership interest in a limited partnership which operates
a cogeneration facility at that mill.  This partnership contributed about
$1 million to earnings in the first quarter of 1997.

Discontinued Operations
-----------------------
Mead sold its Imaging business during the first quarter of 1996.  The sale
resulted in an after-tax gain of $5.4 million, or $.10 per share.


Financial Data by Business
--------------------------

Paper Segment
                                                     First Quarter       
                                          --------------------------------
                                           1997        1996      % Change      
                                           ----        ----      --------
(All dollar amounts in millions)

Net sales (to unaffiliated
  customers)                              $393.5      $269.4        46.1%

Segment earnings before taxes               41.8        46.6       (10.3)%



The 1997 increase in net sales over those generated in the first quarter
of 1996 was due primarily to the acquisition of the Rumford, Maine, paper
mill but, also, due to improved volume in coated papers and at Mead's
specialty mills in Menasha, Wisconsin, and South Lee, Massachusetts. 
Selling prices, however, were below first quarter 1996 levels in all major
grades, the effect of which was felt most severely at the Escanaba,
Michigan, publishing paper mill.  First quarter 1997 earnings from the
Chillicothe, Ohio, fine paper mill were significantly higher than in the
prior year's first quarter, helped by the higher 1997 sales volume. 
Chillicothe's 1996 first quarter earnings were negatively impacted by
temporary operating problems and severance related expenses.  Earnings at
the South Lee specialty mill also improved over the first quarter of 1996
partly due to the growth in a wear resistant overlay product that is used
in flooring materials.  Demand for this type of product is growing in
Europe and it is also becoming popular in the U.S.  Going into the second
quarter of 1997, backlogs in the Paper segment are strong but prices for
coated papers remain depressed.

Packaging and Paperboard segment

                                                     First Quarter      
                                          ------------------------------
                                           1997        1996     % Change
                                           ----        ----     --------

(All dollar amounts in millions)

Net sales (to unaffiliated
  customers)                              $315.5      $325.8       (3.2)%

Segment earnings before taxes               21.5        29.2      (26.4)%

<PAGE>

First quarter 1997 prices for corrugating medium, produced at the
Stevenson, Alabama, mill, averaged about 40% below first quarter 1996
levels, causing this segment's sales and earnings to be below those of the
prior year.  The Stevenson mill has operated well during 1997 with the new
#2 machine continuing to operate at above rated capacity with the lighter
weight medium being well received by customers.

First quarter 1997 sales and earnings are each up slightly from the same
period of 1996 for Mead's Coated Board and Packaging businesses.  Strong
volume in North America offset decreased demand overseas at Mead
Packaging.  At Mead Coated Board, sales tonnage, including amounts shipped
to Mead Packaging, are about 10% higher than they were a year ago.  Open
market volume was level with the first quarter of 1996, but prices are
down almost 10%.  During the second quarter of 1997,  the #1 machine at
the Mahrt, Alabama, coated board mill will be down for approximately four
weeks for the completion of a scheduled rebuild.  The division increased
inventory levels during the past several months in anticipation of the
shutdown and expects customer service to be unaffected.

Distribution and School and Office Products segment

                                                     First Quarter      
                                          ------------------------------
                                           1997        1996     % Change
                                           ----        ----     --------

(All dollar amounts in millions)

Net sales (to unaffiliated
  customers)                              $426.7      $472.0       (9.6)%

Segment earnings before taxes                3.1         8.0      (61.3)%

First quarter 1997 sales and earnings for this segment declined due to
lower selling prices and sales volume at Zellerbach, Mead's distribution
business.  This sales decline occurred in all three of the division's
businesses: printing; packaging; and industrial supplies.  Soft market
conditions are expected to continue throughout the second quarter.  1997
sales for Mead School and Office Products are even with those posted in
the first quarter of 1996, and earnings are slightly ahead. 
Traditionally, the first quarter of the year is a slow period for this
division and  the "Back-to-School" season begins to accelerate in the
second quarter.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
-------------------------------
Working capital at March 30, 1997 was $446.2 million compared to $431.6
million at December 31, 1996.  The current ratio dipped slightly to 1.5 at
the end of the first quarter 1997 from 1.6 at the prior fiscal year end. 
As is normally the case in the first quarter of each year, inventories
grow in anticipation of the Mead School and Office Products "Back-to-
School" season.  Part of this inventory build is financed through short-
term notes payable.  Inventories of Coated Natural Kraft have also been
increased to satisfy customer needs while the machine at the Alabama plant
is being rebuilt.

Borrowed capital (long-term debt) as a percent of total capital (long-term
debt plus shareowners' equity) was 35.7% at March 30, 1997 and was 35.6%
at December 31, 1996.  During the first quarter, the Company refinanced
$550 million of debt with a series of notes and debentures that carry
interest rates from 6.60% to 7.55% and have maturities ranging from five
to fifty years.

Capital expenditures totaled $66.8 million for the first quarter of 1997
compared with $77.6 million in the first quarter of 1996.  Major projects
in both time periods were at the Stevenson, Alabama, corrugating medium
mill.

Under a Board of Directors' authorization, Mead repurchased 125,000 shares
of its capital stock in the first quarter of 1997.  By March 30, 1997, the
five million share repurchase program was about 43% completed.

At the end of the first quarter, Mead paid a fixed rate or a capped rate
on 80% of its debt and paid a floating rate of interest on the remainder. 
A change of 1% in the floating interest rate, on an annual basis, would
result in a $.04 change in earnings per share for the year.  The estimated
market value of long-term debt, excluding capital leases, was $12.9
million less than the book value at the end of the first quarter of 1997.

<PAGE>

ITEM 6.     EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
            --------------------------------

      (a)   Exhibits

            (10)  Material Contracts:

                  (1)   Corporate Annual Incentive Plan for 1997 in which
                        executive officers participate. 

                  (2)   Corporate Long Term Incentive Plan effective 1997
                        in which executive officers participate.

                  (3)   Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan amended
                        and restated effective January 1, 1997 in which
                        executive officers participate.

                  (4)   First Amendment of Executive Accumulation Plan
                        effective March 1, 1997 in which executive
                        officers participate.

            (11.1), (11.2)    Calculations of Net Earnings per Share.

            (27)  Financial Data Schedule

      (b)   Reports on Form 8-K

            (1)   A Form 8-K was filed on January 24, 1997 reporting under
                  Item 5 certain financial results of Registrant for the
                  year ended December 31, 1996.  Also filed as an exhibit
                  was a copy of a Press Release dated January 23, 1997.

            (2)   A Form 8-K was filed on February 6, 1997 reporting under
                  Item 5 Registrant's execution of a Pricing Agreement,
                  dated February 4, 1997, in connection with the proposed
                  issuance and sale of 6.60% Notes due March 1, 2002,
                  7.35% Debentures due March 1, 2017, 6.84% Debentures due
                  March 1, 2037 and 7.55% Debentures due March 1, 2047. 
                  Also filed as exhibits were copies of an Underwriting
                  Agreement, Pricing Agreement and opinions of counsel.

<PAGE>
                                SIGNATURE


      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.


Date: May  12, 1997


THE MEAD CORPORATION
--------------------
   (Registrant)



By: G. T. GESWEIN
    _________________________
    G. T. Geswein
    Vice President, Controller and
    Chief Accounting Officer
    



















WP\H:\WORK\SEC\10Q\97\033097
040897dlw