SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                    Washington, D.C.  20549

                           FORM 10-Q

          QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (d)
             OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


                                                  Commission File
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 28, 1998     Number  0-22468
                               --------------             -------

                          WICKES INC.
                          -----------
     (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


               Delaware                           36-3554758
               --------                           ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of                (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                Identification No.)


706 North Deerpath Drive, Vernon Hills, Illinois         60061
------------------------------------------------         -----
(Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip Code)



                             847-367-3400
                             ------------
          (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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, and (2) has  been  subject  to  such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                                   Yes   X        No
                                       -----    -----
As  of April 30, 1998, the Registrant had 8,194,644 shares of Common Stock,  par
value  $.01  per  share, and no shares of Class B Non-Voting Common  Stock,  par
value $.01 per share, outstanding.
         
                                       1
<PAGE 2>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          WICKES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                     INDEX
                                     -----

                                                            Page
                                                           Number
                                                           ------
<S>                                                        <C>     
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   Item 1. Financial Statements

      Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
       March 28, 1998 and December 27, 1997 (unaudited)       3

      Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
       For the three months ended March 28, 1998 and
       March 29, 1997 (Unaudited)                             4

      Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
       For the three months ended March 28, 1998 and
       March 29, 1997 (Unaudited)                             5

      Notes to Condensed Consolidated
       Financial Statements (Unaudited)                       6

   Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
            Condition and Results of Operations              12


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

   Item 5. Other Information                                 20

   Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                  20
</TABLE>

                                       2 



<PAGE 3>
                          WICKES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                        (in thousands except share data)
<TABLE>                                        
<CAPTION>                                        
                                                    March 28,   December 27,
                                                      1998         1997
                                                   ---------    -----------
               ASSETS
<S>                                                <C>         <C>
Current assets:
 Cash                                               $     72     $     79
 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
     accounts of $4,764 in 1998 and $3,765 in 1997    74,825       81,788
 Notes Receivable                                      1,062        3,200
 Inventory                                           114,665      102,706
 Deferred tax asset                                   13,121        8,955
 Prepaid expenses                                      1,445        1,246
                                                    --------     --------
  Total current assets                               205,190      197,974
                                                    --------    ---------

 Property, plant and equipment, net                   45,181       46,763
 Trademark (net of accumulated amortization of
  $10,330 in 1998 and $10,274 in 1997)                 6,690        6,745
 Deferred tax asset                                   17,054       17,054
 Rental Equipment (net of accumulated depreciation
  of $269 in 1998 and $176 in 1997)                    1,925        2,030
 Other assets (net of accumulated amortization of
  $8,409 in 1998 and $8,053 in 1997)                  12,490       12,786
                                                    --------     --------
                                                    $288,530     $283,352
                                                    ========     ========

   LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
 Current maturities of long-term debt               $     37     $     46
 Accounts payable                                     48,993       41,190
 Accrued liabilities                                  22,539       22,279
                                                    --------     --------
  Total current liabilities                           71,569       63,515
                                                    --------     --------

Long-term debt, less current maturities              196,932      193,061
Other long-term liabilities                            2,811        2,775
Commitments and contingencies (Note 4)

Common stockholders' equity:
 Common stock (8,182,434 shares issued and
  outstanding in 1998 and 8,176,205 shares               
  issued and outstanding in 1997)                         82           82
 Additional paid-in capital                           86,691       86,675
 Accumulated deficit                                 (69,555)     (62,756)
                                                    --------     -------- 
 Total common stockholders' equity                    17,218       24,001
                                                    --------     --------
                                                    $288,530     $283,352
                                                    ========     ========
</TABLE>                                        
    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated
                              financial statements.
                                       3


<PAGE 4>
                          WICKES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                 (in thousands except share and per share data)
<TABLE>                                        
<CAPTION>                                        
                                                    Three Months Ended
                                                    ------------------
                                                   March 28,    March 29,
                                                      1998        1997
                                                   ---------   ---------
<S>                                               <C>         <C> 
Net sales                                          $ 168,746   $ 159,319
Cost of sales                                        127,763     122,372
                                                   ---------   ---------

  Gross profit                                        40,983      36,947
                                                   ---------   ---------
Selling, general and administrative expenses          40,595      37,782
Depreciation, goodwill and trademark amortization      1,266       1,188
Provision for doubtful accounts                        1,333       1,046
Restructuring and unusual items                        5,431          -
Other operating income                                (2,386)       (844)
                                                    --------    --------
                                                      46,239      39,172
                                                    --------    --------

  Loss from operations                                (5,256)     (2,225)

Interest expense                                       5,422       5,152
Equity in loss of affiliated company                       -         553
                                                     --------   --------

  Loss before income taxes                           (10,678)     (7,930)

Provision for income tax benefit                      (3,879)     (2,740)
                                                     --------   --------       
                                                     
  Net loss                                         $  (6,799)  $  (5,190)
                                                     ========   ========

Basic loss per common share                        $   (0.83)  $   (0.64)
                                                     ========   ========

Diluted loss per common share                      $   (0.83)  $   (0.63)
                                                     ========   ========

Weighted average common shares - for basic         8,181,850   8,162,831
                                                   =========   =========
                                                  
Weighted average common shares - for diluted       8,187,225   8,198,345
                                                   =========   =========
</TABLE>


    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated
                              financial statements.
                                       4 

        
<page 5>                                        
                          WICKES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                 (in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                        
                                                     Three Months Ended
                                                     ------------------
                                                    March 28,    March 29,
                                                      1998         1997
                                                    --------     --------
<S>                                               <C>          <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
 Net loss                                          $  (6,799)   $  (5,190)
 Adjustments to reconcile net loss to
  net cash used in operating activities:
 Equity in loss of affiliated company                     --          553
 Depreciation expense                                  1,149        1,072
 Amortization of trademark                                56           55
 Amortization of goodwill                                 61           61
 Amortization of deferred financing costs                538          441
 Provision for doubtful accounts                       1,333        1,046
 Gain on sale of assets                               (1,399)         (25)
 Deferred tax benefit                                 (4,166)      (3,100)
 Changes in assets and liabilities:
  Decrease in accounts receivable                      5,630        2,714
  Decrease in notes receivable                         2,138           --
  Increase in inventory                              (11,959)      (8,834)
  Increase in accounts payable, accrued liabilities
   and other long term liabilities                     8,099           88
  Increase in other assets                              (491)        (417)
                                                     -------      -------
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES                 (5,810)     (11,536)
                                                     -------      -------
Cash flows from investing activities:  
 Purchases of property, plant and equipment             (799)        (502)
 Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment  2,724          143
                                                     -------      -------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES    1,925         (359)
                                                     -------      -------
Cash flows from financing activities:
 Net borrowings under revolving line of credit         3,877       10,063
 Reductions of note payable                              (15)         (41)
 Net proceeds from issuance of common stock               16           16
                                                     -------      -------
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES              3,878       10,038
                                                     -------      -------
NET DECREASE IN CASH                                      (7)      (1,857)
Cash at beginning of period                               79        1,933
                                                     -------      -------
CASH AT END OF PERIOD                              $      72    $      76
                                                    ========     ========
Supplemental schedule of cash flow information:
 Interest paid                                     $   2,159    $   1,854
 Income taxes paid                                 $      82    $     322
</TABLE>

    The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated
                              financial statements.
                                       
                                       5

<PAGE 6>
                          WICKES INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (UNAUDITED)


1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
   ------------------------------------------

   Basis of Financial Statement Presentation
   -----------------------------------------

    The  condensed  consolidated financial statements  present  the  results  of
operations,  financial  position,  and  cash  flows  of  Wickes  Inc.  and   its
consolidated subsidiaries (the "Company").

    The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 28, 1998, the condensed
consolidated statements of operations and the condensed consolidated  statements
of  cash  flows for the three-month periods ended March 28, 1998 and  March  29,
1997  have  been  prepared  by the Company without audit.   In  the  opinion  of
management,  all  adjustments (which include only normal recurring  adjustments)
necessary  to  present fairly the financial position, results of operations  and
cash  flows at March 28, 1998 and for all periods presented have been made.  The
results  for  the  three-month period ended March 28, 1998  is  not  necessarily
indicative  of the results to be expected for the full year or for  any  interim
period.

    The  year-end  condensed consolidated balance sheet data  was  derived  from
audited  financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required  by
generally  accepted  accounting principles.  Certain  information  and  footnote
disclosures  normally  included in financial statements prepared  in  accordance
with  generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed  or  omitted.
It  is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be  read
in  conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in  the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 1997, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

   Reclassifications
   -----------------

   Reclassifications have been made to the first quarter condensed  consolidated
balance  sheet  and condensed consolidated statement of cash flows  to  reflect,
more  appropriately,  purchase rebates receivable as  a  reduction  of  accounts
payable  rather than as accounts receivable.  The amount previously recorded  as
accounts receivable in the first quarter of 1997 was $1.5 million.

                                       6
<PAGE 7>
   Share Data
   ----------

    The  Company issued 4,695 shares of Common Stock to members of its board  of
directors  as  compensation and 1,534 shares of Common stock  upon  exercise  of
employee warrants during the three-months ended March 28, 1998.


2. LONG-TERM DEBT
   --------------

    Long-term  debt  is  comprised  of  the following  at  March  28,  1998  (in
thousands):
<TABLE>
         <S>                                    <C>
         Revolving line of credit               $   96,922
         Senior subordinated notes                 100,000
         Other                                          47
         Less current maturities                       (37)
                                                   -------
         Total long-term debt                   $  196,932
                                                   =======

    Under  the revolving line of credit, the Company may borrow against  certain
levels  of  accounts receivable and inventory.  The unused amount available  for
borrowing at March 28, 1998 was $25.3 million.

   On March 20, 1998, the Company and its lenders entered into a third amendment
to  the  Company's  revolving  credit  agreement.   This  amendment  includes  a
modification  to  the fixed charge ratio covenant to reflect  the  restructuring
announced by the Company in February, 1998 and includes the lenders' consent  to
the  Company's  sale  of  its  Iowa facilities and its  internet  and  utilities
marketing operations.


3. INCOME TAXES
   ------------
  The provision for income taxes for the three-month period ended March 28, 1998
was  a  benefit  of $3.9 million compared to a benefit of $2.7 million  for  the
three-month period ended March 29, 1997.  An effective federal income  tax  rate
of  39.0% was used to calculate federal income taxes for the first three  months
of  1998, compared with an effective rate of 39.1% for the first three months of
1997.  In addition to the effective federal tax rate, state income and franchise
taxes were calculated separately and are included in the provision reported.

                                       7
<PAGE 8>
4. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
   -----------------------------
    At  March 28, 1998, the Company had accrued approximately $500,000 (included
in   accrued  liabilities  at  March  28,  1998)  for  remediation  of   certain
environmental  and  product liability matters, principally  underground  storage
tank  removal.   Many  of  the sales and distribution facilities  presently  and
formerly operated by the Company contained underground petroleum storage  tanks.
Other  than  tanks at one acquired facility, recently installed, all such  tanks
known to the Company located on facilities owned or operated by the Company have
been  filled,  removed,  or  are  scheduled to be  removed  in  accordance  with
applicable  environmental laws in effect at the time.  As a  result  of  reviews
made  in  connection with the sale or possible sale of certain  facilities,  the
Company has found petroleum contamination of soil and ground water on several of
these  sites  and has taken, and expects to take, remedial actions with  respect
thereto.   In addition, it is possible that similar contamination may  exist  on
properties no longer owned or operated by the Company the remediation  of  which
the  Company could under certain circumstances be held responsible.  Since 1988,
the Company has incurred approximately $1.9 million of net costs with respect to
the  filling  or removing of underground storage tanks and related investigatory
and remedial actions.

    The  Company is one of many defendants in approximately 95 actions, each  of
which  seeks unspecified damages, brought since 1993, in various Michigan  state
courts against manufacturers and building material retailers by individuals  who
claim  to have suffered injuries from products containing asbestos.  All of  the
plaintiffs  in  these  actions are represented by one of  two  law  firms.   The
Company is aggressively defending these actions and does not believe that  these
actions will have a material adverse effect on the Company.

   On November 3, 1995, a complaint was filed against the Company, its directors
and Riverside Group, Inc. seeking to enjoin or to obtain damages with respect to
the Company's agreement to issue two million newly-issued shares of common stock
to Riverside Group, Inc. for $5 per share.

    The  Company  is  involved  in  various other legal  proceedings  which  are
incidental  to the conduct of its business.  The Company does not  believe  that
any of these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on the Company.

    The  Company's  assessment of the matters described in this note  and  other
forward-looking  statements in this Form 10-Q are  made  pursuant  to  the  safe
harbor  provisions  of  the Private Securities Litigation  Reform  Act  of  1995
("Forward-Looking Information") and are inherently subject to uncertainty.   The

                                       8
<PAGE 9>
outcome  of  the  matters described in this note may differ from  the  Company's
assessment of these matters as a result of a number of factors including but not
limited to:  matters unknown to the Company at the present time, development  of
losses materially different from the Company's experience, the Company's ability
to  prevail  against its insurers with respect to coverage issues to  date,  the
financial ability of those insurers and other persons from whom the Company  may
be entitled to indemnity,  and the unpredictability of matters in litigation.


5. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
   -----------------------------------------
    Reporting Comprehensive Income.  Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No.  130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income,"  establishes standards for reporting
and display of comprehensive income and its components in a full set of general-
purpose financial statements.  The term comprehensive income is defined  as  the
change in the equity of a business.  Comprehensive income includes net income as
well  as  other  components (revenues, expenses, gains, and losses)  that  under
generally  accepted  accounting principles are  excluded  from  net  income  but
affect  equity.   The statement was effective for fiscal years  beginning  after
December  15,  1997, however, as the Company has no items of other comprehensive
income this statement is not applicable to the Company.

    Disclosure about Segments.  Statement of Financial Accounting Standards  No.
131,  "Disclosure  about  Segments of an Enterprise  and  Related  Information,"
changes  Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 14 by requiring  a  new
framework  for  segment  reporting  and includes  the  disclosure  of  financial
information  related  to each segment.  The statement was effective  for  fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 1997, however, adoption of this statement  is
not  required  in  interim statements in the initial year of  application.   The
Company is currently evaluating the effects of this pronouncement.

    Employers'  Disclosures  About Pensions and Other  Postretirement  Benefits.
Statement  of  Financial  Accounting Standards No. 132, "Employers'  Disclosures
About  Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits,"  standardizes the disclosure
requirements   for  pensions  and  other  post  retirement  benefits,   requires
additional information on changes in the benefit obligation and fair  values  of
plan  assets and eliminates certain disclosures that are no longer useful.  This
statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997.   The
Company believes that the adoption of this statement will not have a significant
impact on its financial statements.

                                       9
<PAGE 10>
6. EARNINGS PER SHARE
   ------------------

   The  Company  calculates earnings per share in accordance with  Statement  of
Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 128.  As required  by  this  statement  the
Company  has  adopted  the  standard for computing and presenting  earnings  per
share,  and  for  all  prior  period earnings per  share  data  presented.   The
following is the reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the  basic
and diluted earnings per share:

</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                                    
                                                    Three Months Ended             
                                                    ------------------
                                                March 28,        March 29,
                                                  1998             1997
                                               ----------       ----------
<S>                                            <C>              <C>
Numerators:                                     
  Net loss - for basic and
     diluted EPS                              $(6,799,000)     $(5,190,000)

Denominators:
  Weighted average common
     shares - for basic EPS                     8,181,850        8,162,831
     Common share from warrants                     5,375           10,767
     Common shares from options                         -           24,747
                                               ----------       ----------
  Weighted average common
     shares - for diluted EPS                   8,187,225        8,198,345
</TABLE>

In  addition, options to purchase of 668,000 and 372,000 weighted average shares
of  common stock during the first quarter of 1998 and 1997, respectively,   were
not  included  in the diluted EPS as the options' exercise prices  were  greater
than the average market price and the effect would be antidilutive.


7. OPERATIONAL RESTRUCTURING
   --------------------------
    In the first quarter of 1998, the Company announced and completed a plan for
additional  restructuring activities (the "1998 Plan").  The 1998 Plan  included
the  closing  or  consolidation  of eight building  centers  and  two  component
manufacturing  facilities,  the  sale of two additional  building  centers,  and
further   reductions   in  headquarters  staffing.   The  Company   recorded   a
restructuring  charge of $5.4 million with respect to the 1998 Plan,  consisting
of $3.7 million in anticipated losses on the disposition of closed center assets
and  liabilities, $2.0 million in severance and post employment benefits, and  a
benefit of $300,000 for adjustments to prior years' restructuring accruals.

                                       10
<page 11>
8. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
   ----------------
      On  April  13, 1998, all 499,768 outstanding shares of Class B  Non-Voting
Common  Stock,  par  value $.01 per share, were converted to 499,768  shares  of
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share.

                                       11

<page 12>
        MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
        ---------------------------------------------------------------
                             RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                             ---------------------
    The  following discussion should be read in conjunction with  the  Condensed
Consolidated  Financial Statements and Notes thereto contained elsewhere  herein
and  in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto
and  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results  of
Operations  contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for  the  year
ended December 27, 1997.

                             RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                             ---------------------
    The  following  table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the  percentage
relationship to net sales of certain expense and income items.  This information
includes the results from all sales and distribution and component manufacturing
facilities  operated by the Company, including those closed or sold  during  the
period.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      Three Months Ended
                                      ------------------
                                      March 28,  March 29,
                                        1998       1997
                                      --------   --------  
<S>                                    <C>        <C>
Net sales                               100.0%     100.0%
Gross profit                             24.3%      23.2%
Selling, general and                     
  administrative expense                 24.1%      23.7%
Depreciation, goodwill and               
  trademark amortization                  0.7%       0.7%
Provision for doubtful                    0.8%       0.7%
accounts
Restructuring and unusual                 3.2%         -
items
Other operating income                   (1.4)%     (0.5)%
Income from operations                   (3.1)%     (1.4)%
</TABLE>

Net Earnings
------------
    The  Company's  first  quarter has historically been adversely  affected  by
seasonal  decreases  in  building construction activity  in  the  Northeast  and
Midwest resulting from winter weather conditions.  In the first quarter of 1998,
the  Midwest experienced a very mild winter.  The positive effects of  the  mild
winter  in  this region, the Company's primary region, were partially offset  by
increased  precipitation in the Northeast and South.  Weather conditions  during
the  first  quarter  of 1997 were closer to historical seasonal  averages.   The

                                       12
<page 13>
first  quarter of 1998 also had favorable economic conditions for  the  building
materials supply industry.  Single family housing starts were up 8.5%  over  the
first quarter of 1997.

    Net  loss for the three months ended March 28, 1998 was $6,799,000  compared
with  a  loss  of  $5,190,000 for the three months ended March  29,  1997.   The
increase  in the net loss is primarily the result of a $5.4 million  charge  for
restructuring  and  unusual  items  and an  increase  in  selling,  general  and
administrative  ("SG&A") expense, interest expense, and provision  for  doubtful
accounts.   The  impact of these changes were partially offset by  increases  in
sales  and  gross  profit margins, a $1.5 million increase  in  other  operating
income, and the elimination of equity in losses of an affiliated company.


Operational Restructuring
-------------------------
    In the first quarter of 1998, the Company announced and completed a plan for
additional  restructuring activities (the "1998 Plan").  The 1998 Plan  included
the  closing  or  consolidation  of eight building  centers  and  two  component
manufacturing  facilities,  the  sale of two additional  building  centers,  and
further   reductions   in  headquarters  staffing.   The  Company   recorded   a
restructuring  charge of $5.4 million with respect to the 1998 Plan,  consisting
of $3.7 million in anticipated losses on the disposition of closed center assets
and  liabilities, $2.0 million in severance and post employment benefits, and  a
benefit of $300,000 for adjustments to prior years' restructuring accruals.

    In March 1998, as contemplated by the 1998 Plan, the Company sold the assets
of  its  two  Iowa  building  centers  to  another  building  center  chain  for
approximately $3.9 million, resulting in a gain of approximately $700,000.

                                        
                   Three Months Ended March 28, 1998 Compared
                   ------------------------------------------
                   with the Three Months Ended March 29, 1997
                   ------------------------------------------

Net Sales
---------
   Net sales for the first quarter of 1998 increased 5.9% to $168.7 million from
$159.3 million for the first quarter of 1997.  Same store sales increased  10.3%
compared  with  the  same period last year. Same store sales  to  the  Company's
primary  customers, building professionals, also increased 10.3%  when  compared
with  the first quarter of 1997, and consumer same store sales increased by 4.3%
for  the  quarter.   As  of March 28, 1998 the Company operated  101  sales  and
distribution  facilities, nine less than it operated at the  end  of  the  first
quarter  of 1997. The Company estimates that deflation in lumber prices  reduced
total  sales  for the quarter by approximately $4.4 million, compared  with  the
1997 comparable period.

                                      13
<page 14>
   The  Company  believes that the sales increase results  primarily  from  its
recent  investments in its target major market and re-merchandised  conventional
market  sales  and  distribution facilities, as well as favorable  economic  and
weather conditions.  Same store sales increased 29% in the Company's nine target
major markets, while same store sales increased 34% in the five building centers
the  Company finished remerchandising before the fourth quarter of 1997.  Single
family housing starts were 8.5% higher, nationally, in the first quarter of 1998
than  in  the  comparable period of 1997.  In the Company's primary geographical
market, the Midwest, single family housing starts were 14.0% higher.


Gross Profit
------------
   1998 first quarter gross profit increased to $41.0 million from $36.9 million
for  the  first quarter of 1997, a 10.9% increase.  Gross profit as a percentage
of  sales  increased to 24.3% for the first quarter of 1998 from 23.2% in  1997.
The  increase in gross profit as a percentage of sales is primarily attributable
to improved product costs, increased margins on internally manufactured products
and  a reduction in costs associated with physical inventory count  adjustments.
Sales  to  building professionals as a percentage of sales remained constant  in
the  two quarters, at 89.7%.  Lumber and building materials accounted for  87.4%
of sales in the first quarter of 1998, unchanged from the first quarter of 1997.


Selling, General and Administrative Expense
-------------------------------------------
    SG&A  expense increased to 24.1% of net sales in the first quarter  of  1998
compared  with  23.7% of net sales in the first quarter of 1997.   Much  of  the
increase  is  attributable to major market expansion programs and the  Company's
decision, in the second half of 1997, to remerchandise 19 sales and distribution
facilities and invest in programs to support sales improvement.

   Increases as a percentage of sales in salaries and wages, employee relocation
and real estate and equipment rental expense were partially offset by reductions
in  professional  fees.  Salaries, wages and employee benefits  increased  as  a
percentage  of sales by 0.8%.  As of March 28, 1998, the Company had 3,550  full
time and part time employees, relatively unchanged from March 29, 1997.

                                       14
<page 15>
Depreciation, Goodwill and Trademark Amortization
-------------------------------------------------
    Depreciation, goodwill and trademark amortization increased to $1.3  million
for the first quarter of 1998 compared with $1.2 million for the same period  in
1997.  This increase is primarily due to depreciation on rental equipment.   The
Company's  tool rental program was initiated during 1997 and no depreciation  on
rental equipment was recorded in the first quarter of 1997.


Provision for Doubtful Accounts
-------------------------------
    The  provision for doubtful accounts increased to $1.3 million for the first
quarter  of  1998 from $1.0 million in the first quarter of 1997.   The  primary
reasons for the increase are better than historical collection performance in
the first quarter of 1997 and additional expense as a result of delinquency of
one major account in 1998.


Restructuring and Unusual Items
-------------------------------
    In  February of 1998, the Company announced the 1998 Plan which included the
closing   or   consolidation  of  eight  building  centers  and  two   component
manufacturing  facilities  in  February, the sale  of  two  additional  building
centers  in March, and further reductions in headquarters staffing.  The Company
recorded a restructuring charge of $5.4 million, which included $3.7 million  in
anticipated  losses on the disposition of closed center assets and  liabilities,
$2.0 million in severance and post employment benefits related to the 1998 Plan,
and a benefit of $300,000 for adjustments to prior years' restructuring
accruals.  No restructuring or unusual items were recorded in the first quarter
of 1997.


Other Operating Income
----------------------
    Other  operating  income  for the first quarter of  1998  was  $2.4  million
compared with $800,000 for the first quarter of 1997.  During the first  quarter
of  1998, the Company recorded a gain of approximately $1.4 million on the  sale
of  its  two  Iowa  centers,  two  other closed  building  centers,  and  excess
equipment.   In the first quarter of 1997, the Company sold no real  estate  and
recorded gains of $25,000 on the sale of excess equipment.

                                       15
<page 16>
Interest Expense
----------------
    In the first quarter of 1998 interest expense increased to $5.4 million from
$5.2  million  during  the first quarter of 1997, resulting  primarily  from  an
increase  in  average  total  long  term debt of  approximately  $15.3  million,
partially  offset by a decrease in the effective borrowing rate  on  total  long
term  debt  of  approximately 47 basis points.  The decrease  in  the  effective
borrowing rate is primarily due to a reduction in interest rate on the Company's
revolving  line of credit, effective April 11, 1997.  Approximately 92%  of  the
Company's first quarter average borrowings on its revolving credit facility were
LIBOR-based.


Equity in Loss of Affiliated Company
------------------------------------
    In  the  first  quarter  of  1997 the Company recorded  equity  in  loss  of
affiliated company of $600,000.  The Company's net equity in this affiliate  was
reduced to zero at December 31, 1997, thus no additional equity losses for  this
affiliate were recorded in 1998.


Provision for Income Tax Benefit
--------------------------------
    The  Company  recorded an income tax benefit of $3.9 million for  the  first
quarter of 1998 compared with a benefit of $2.7 million in the first quarter  of
1997.   An  effective  federal income tax rate of 39.0% was  used  to  calculate
federal  income taxes for the first quarter of 1998, compared with an  effective
rate  of  39.1%  for the first quarter of 1997.  In addition  to  the  effective
federal  tax  rate  used,  state  income and  franchise  taxes  were  calculated
separately and are included in the provision reported for both years.

   The Company continues to review future earnings projections to determine that
there is sufficient support for its deferred tax assets and valuation allowance.
In  spite of the losses incurred during 1995 and 1997, management believes  that
it  is  more likely than not that the Company will receive full benefit  of  its
deferred  tax  asset and that the valuation allowance is properly stated.   This
assessment  constitutes Forward-Looking Information made pursuant  to  the  safe
harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and is
inherently  subject  to  uncertainty and dependent  upon  the  Company's  future
profitability,  which  in turn depends upon a number of important  risk  factors
including  but  not limited to:  the effectiveness of the Company's  operational
efforts,  cyclicality and seasonality of the Company's business, the effects  of
the Company's substantial leverage and competition.

                                       16
<page 17>
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
-----------------------------------------
   Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive
Income,"   establishes  standards for reporting  and  display  of  comprehensive
income and its components in a full set of general-purpose financial statements.
The  term  comprehensive income is defined as the change  in  the  equity  of  a
business.   Comprehensive income includes net income as well as other components
(revenues, expenses, gains, and losses) that under generally accepted accounting
principles  are  excluded from net income but affect equity.  The statement  was
effective  for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997, however,  as  the
Company  has  no  items  of other comprehensive income  this  statement  is  not
applicable to the Company.

    Statement  of  Financial  Accounting Standards No.  131,  "Disclosure  about
Segments  of  an  Enterprise  and  Related Information,"  changes  Statement  of
Financial  Accounting Standards No. 14 by requiring a new framework for  segment
reporting and includes the disclosure of financial information related  to  each
segment.   The statement was effective for fiscal years beginning after December
15,  1997,  however,  adoption of this statement  is  not  required  in  interim
statements  in  the  initial  year of application.   The  Company  is  currently
evaluating the effects of this pronouncement.

    Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures
About  Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits,"  standardizes the disclosure
requirements   for  pensions  and  other  post  retirement  benefits,   requires
additional information on changes in the benefit obligation and fair  values  of
plan  assets and eliminates certain disclosures that are no longer useful.  This
statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997.   The
Company believes that the adoption of this statement will not have a significant
impact on its financial statements.


Year 2000
---------
   In  response to the Year 2000 issue, the Company initiated a project in early
1997  to  identify, evaluate and implement changes to its existing  computerized
business systems.  The Company is addressing the issue through a combination  of
modifications  to  existing  programs and conversions  to  Year  2000  compliant
software.   In  addition,  the  Company is  communicating  with  its  customers,
suppliers,  and other service providers to determine whether they  are  actively
involved in projects to ensure that their products and business systems will  be
Year  2000 compliant.  If modifications and conversions by the Company and those
it  conducts business with are not made in a timely manner, the Year 2000  issue
may  have  a  material  adverse  effect on  the  Company's  business,  financial
condition,  and  results  of operations.  The total  cost  associated  with  the
required  modifications  is  not  expected  to  be  material  to  the  Company's
consolidated results of operations and financial position, and is being expensed
as incurred.
                                       17
<page 18>
                        LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
                        -------------------------------
   The Company's principal sources of working capital and liquidity are earnings
and  borrowings under its revolving credit facility.  The Company's primary need
for capital resources is to finance inventory and accounts receivable.

    During  the first three months of 1998 net cash used in operating activities
was  $5.8  million, $5.7 million less than the $11.5 million used in  the  first
quarter of 1997.  The first three months of the year historically have generated
negative  cash  flows from operating activities.  With the peak building  season
historically  occurring in the second and third quarters, the  Company  normally
experiences increases in its inventory levels during the first quarter  to  meet
the anticipated increase in sales.

    The Company's accounts receivable balance at the end of the first quarter of
1998  increased  $7.4 million when compared to the end of the first  quarter  of
1997,  an  increase of 10.9%.  Approximately $4.3 million of  this  increase  is
attributable  to increased credit sales during March 1998, compared  with  March
1997.  Balances on accounts with special terms have also increased approximately
$4.0 million from 1997 to 1998.

    Inventory at the end of the first quarter of 1998 was $5.2 million, or 4.7%,
higher  than at the end of the first quarter of 1997.  This increase is  largely
attributable to the major market and showroom remerchandising programs,  as well
as  the  increase in first quarter sales.  Roofing, insulation and vinyl  siding
account  for a $6.2 million increase in inventory which is partially  offset  by
decreases  in commodity lumber inventory, primarily as a result of lower  market
prices.   Accounts  payable at the end of the first quarter  of  1998  increased
approximately  $6.9 million, or 16.4% from the first quarter of 1997,  primarily
attributable  to  an increase in total inventory and special buys  on  commodity
building  materials  (roofing,  drywall,  insulation)  which  included  extended
accounts payable terms.

    The Company's capital expenditures consist primarily of the construction  of
storage  facilities,  the remodeling and reformatting of  building  centers  and
component manufacturing facilities, and the purchase of vehicles, equipment  and
management  information systems for both existing and new  operations.   In  the
first   three  months  of  1998  the  Company  spent  $0.8  million  on  capital
expenditures  as  compared to $0.5 million for the same  period  in  1997.   The
Company expects to spend approximately $5.0 million for all of 1998.  Under  the
Company's  bank  revolving  credit agreement, as amended,  capital  expenditures
during  1998  are  limited to $6.0 million plus the proceeds from  the  sale  of
certain excess real estate plus the portion of 1997's capital expenditures  that
were  not  spent.   The  Company  expects to fund capital  expenditures  through
borrowings and its internally generated cash flow.

                                       18
<page 19>
   Through the first three months of 1998, the Company has closed, consolidated,
or  sold  ten  sales and distribution facilities and two component manufacturing
facilities.   At  May  1, 1998 the Company operated 101 sales  and  distribution
centers  and 10 component manufacturing facilities compared with 112  sales  and
distribution  facilities and 11 component manufacturing  facilities  at  May  1,
1997.   The  following  table reconciles the number of  sales  and  distribution
facilities  and  component  manufacturing facilities operated  by  the  Company,
through May 1, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         Sales and       Component
                                        Distribution   Manufacturing
                                         Facilities      Facilities
                                         ----------      ----------
<S>                                      <C>             <C>
As of December 27, 1997                      111              11

   Expansion                                   -               1
   Sold                                       (2)              -
   Closings                                   (7)             (2)
   Consolidation                              (1)              -
                                            -----           -----
As of May 1, 1998                            101              10
                                            =====           =====
</TABLE>

   The Company maintained excess availability under its revolving line of credit
throughout  the  first three months of 1998.  At the end of  the  first  quarter
total  borrowings under the revolving line of credit were $10.5  million  higher
than  at  the end of the first quarter of 1997. 
Under  the  current terms of the Company's bank revolving credit  agreement  the
Company  believes that it will continue to have sufficient funds  available  for
its  anticipated operations and capital expenditures.  At March 28, 1998,  $96.9
million  was outstanding under the Company's revolving line of credit,  and  the
unused  availability was approximately $25.3 million.  The Company's  assessment
of  its  future funds availability constitutes Forward-Looking Information  made
pursuant  to  the  Private  Securities Litigation Reform  Act  of  1995  and  is
inherently  subject  to  uncertainty resulting from,  among  other  things,  the
factors  discussed  under  "Results of Operations -  Provision  for  Income  Tax
Benefit".

   On March 20, 1998, the Company and its lenders entered into a third amendment
to  the  Company's  revolving  credit  agreement.   This  amendment  includes  a
modification  to  the fixed charge ratio covenant to reflect  the  restructuring
announced  by the Company in February 1998 and includes the lenders' consent  to
the  Company's  sale  of  its  Iowa facilities and its  internet  and  utilities
marketing operations.

                                       19
<page 20>

                                    PART II
                               OTHER INFORMATION
                               -----------------

Item 5.   Other Information
---------------------------
      On  April  13, 1998, all 499,768 outstanding shares of Class B  Non-Voting
Common  Stock,  par  value $.01 per share, were converted to 499,768  shares  of
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share.


Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
------------------------------------------
     (a)  Exhibits

          27.1 Financial data schedule (SEC use only).

     (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

          None.


                                       20
<page 21>


                                  SIGNATURES
                                  ----------
    Pursuant  to  the  requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d)  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.

                                           WICKES INC.




                                     By:  /s/ J. Steven Wilson
                                         ----------------------
                                         J. Steven Wilson
                                         Chairman and Chief Executive
                                         Officer


                                     By:  /s/ Kenneth M. Kirschner
                                         -------------------------
                                         Kenneth M. Kirschner
                                         Vice Chairman and Principal Financial
                                         Officer


                                     By:  /s/ John M. Lawrence
                                         ---------------------
                                         John M. Lawrence
                                         Controller and Principal Accounting
                                         Officer


Date:  May 11, 1998


                                       21