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 29, 1997      Number  0-22468


                        WICKES LUMBER COMPANY
        (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 May 1, 1997, the Registrant had 7,667,234 shares of Common Stock, par
value  $.01  per  share, and 499,768 shares of Class  B  Non-Voting  Common
Stock, par value $.01 per share, outstanding.
               
<PAGE 2>
               
               WICKES LUMBER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

                               INDEX


                                                                  Page
                                                                 Number
                                                                 ------

PART I.        FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     Item 1.   Financial Statements

                Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                 March 29, 1997 (Unaudited) and
                December 28, 1996                                  3

               Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
                For the three months ended March 29, 1997 and
                March 30, 1996 (Unaudited)                         4

               Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                For the three months ended March 29, 1997 and
                March 30, 1996 (Unaudited)                         5

               Notes to Condensed Consolidated
                Financial Statements (Unaudited)                   6

     Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                Condition and Results of Operations                9


PART II.       OTHER INFORMATION

     Item 2.        Changes in Securities                         15

     Item 5.        Other Information                             15

     Item 6.        Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K              15


                                  2

<PAGE 3>                                                                        
                WICKES LUMBER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES                         
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS                         
                              (UNAUDITED)                                    
                   (in thousands except share data)                        
<TABLE>                                                                                          
<CAPTION>                                                                      March 29,        December 28,               
                                ASSETS                                           1997               1996
                                                                                 ----               ----
<S>                                                                     <C>                  <C>
                                                                         
Current assets:                                                                                        
    Cash                                                                 $           76       $      1,933
    Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful                                                   
      accounts of $4,613 in 1997 and $4,289 in 1996                              67,450             71,210
    Inventory                                                                   109,506            100,672
    Deferred tax asset                                                           13,431             10,331
    Prepaid expenses                                                              1,494                915
                                                                                -------            -------
        Total current assets                                                    191,957            185,061
                                                                                -------            -------
Property, plant and equipment, net                                               49,483             50,171
Trademark (net of accumulated amortization of                                                          
    $10,107 in 1997 and $10,052 in 1996)                                          6,893              6,948
Deferred tax asset                                                               15,525             15,525
Other assets (net of accumulated amortization of                                                       
    $6,989 in 1997 and $6,487 in 1996)                                           13,920             15,137
                                                                                -------            -------
                                                                                277,778            272,842
                                                                                =======            =======
                                                                                                       
                  LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                   
                                                                                                       
Current liabilities:                                                                                   
    Current maturities of long-term debt                                 $          107       $       133
    Accounts payable                                                             42,104            41,039
    Accrued liabilities                                                          26,081            27,118
                                                                                -------           -------
      Total current liabilities                                                  68,292            68,290
                                                                                -------           -------
                                                                                                       
Long-term debt, less current maturities                                         186,424           176,376
Other long-term liabilities                                                       2,737             2,677
Commitments and contingencies (Note 4)                                                                 
                                                                                                       
Common stockholders' equity:                                                                           
       Common stock (8,163,289 shares issued and outstanding in 1997                                   
       and 8,159,498 shares issued and outstanding in 1996)                          82                82
    Additional paid-in capital                                                   86,629            86,613
    Accumulated deficit                                                         (66,386)          (61,196)
                                                                                -------           -------
     Total common stockholders' equity                                           20,325            25,499
                                                                                -------           -------
                                                                                277,778           272,842
                                                                                =======           =======
</TABLE>                                                                   
     The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated
     financial statements. 
                                                                    
                                  3                                    
                                                                            


<PAGE 4>                                                                     
                          WICKES LUMBER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES        
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS     
                     (in thousands except share and per share data)       
<TABLE>                                                                     
<CAPTION>                                                                   
                                                                        Three Months Ended                                          
                                                                    --------------------------- 
                                                                     March 29,      December 30,
                                                                       1997             1996          
                                                                    ---------        ----------       
<S>                                                              <C>             <C>
                                                                 
Net sales                                                        $    159,319    $     152,508         
Cost of sales                                                         122,372          117,578         
                                                                    ---------        ---------       
    Gross profit                                                       36,947           34,930         
                                                                    ---------        ---------       
                                                                                                               
Selling, general and administrative expenses                           37,782           35,684         
Depreciation, goodwill and trademark amortization                       1,188            1,432           
Provision for doubtful accounts                                         1,046            1,365           
Other operating income                                                   (844)            (888)         
                                                                     ---------        ---------       
                                                                       39,172           37,593         
                                                                     ---------        ---------       
    Loss from operations                                               (2,225)          (2,663)          
                                                                                                               
Interest expense                                                        5,152            5,706          
Equity in loss of affiliated company                                      553            1,058               
                                                                    ---------        ---------       
    Loss before income taxes                                           (7,930)          (9,427)
     
Provision  for income taxes                                            (2,740)          (3,253)                          
                                                                    ---------        ---------       
    Net loss                                                     $     (5,190)   $      (6,174)                         $
                                                                    =========        =========       
                                                                                                               
Loss per common share                                            $      (0.63)   $       (1.00)           
                                                                     =========       =========       
Weighted average common and common                                                                             
  equivalent shares outstanding                                      8,173,582       6,159,261       
                                                                     =========       =========       
</TABLE>                                                                   
                                                                           
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the the condensed consolidated
   financial statements.
                                                                         
                                     4                                  
                                                                           


<PAGE 5>                                                                   
              WICKES LUMBER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES                         
          CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS                   
                            (UNAUDITED)                                       
                          (in thousands)                                      
<TABLE>                                                                      
<CAPTION>                                                                    
                                                                         Three Months Ended
                                                                       ----------------------
                                                                       March 29,     March 30,
                                                                         1997          1996       
                                                                       --------     ---------      
<S>                                                                 <C>          <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:                                                                  
  Net loss                                                          $   (5,190)  $    (6,174) 
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to                                                                 
       net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:                                            
    Equity in loss of affiliated company                                   553         1,058       
    Depreciation expense                                                 1,072         1,402       
    Amortization of trademark                                               55            55         
    Amortization of goodwill                                                61            57          
    Amortization of deferred financing costs                               441           509       
    Provision for doubtful accounts                                      1,046         1,365       
    Gain on sale of assets                                                 (25)         (185)       
    Deferred tax benefit                                                (3,100)       (3,629)    
    Changes in assets and liabilities:                                                                 
       Decrease in accounts receivable                                   2,714        19,569    
       (Increase) decrease in inventory                                 (8,834)        7,610        
       Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities      88        (8,335)     
       Increase in other assets                                           (417)         (635)       
                                                                       -------       -------         
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                    (11,536)       12,667       
                                                                       -------       -------         
 Cash flows from investing activities:                                                                 
  Purchases of property, plant and equipment                              (502)         (139)     
  Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment                     143         1,671         
                                                                       -------       -------         
NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES                       (359)        1,532    
                                                                       -------       -------         
                                                                                                       
Cash flows from financing activities:                                                                  
    Net borrowing (repayment) under revolving line of credit            10,063       (11,809)      
    Reductions of notes payable                                            (41)         (170)       
    Net proceeds from issuance of common stock                              16            14         
                                                                        -------      -------         
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES                     10,038       (11,965)      
                                                                        -------      -------         
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH                                         (1,857)        2,234       
Cash at beginning of period                                              1,933            87           
                                                                        -------      -------         
CASH AT END OF PERIOD                                               $       76   $     2,321      
                                                                        =======      =======        
Supplemental schedule of cash flow information:                                                        
     Interest paid                                                  $    1,854   $     2,564     
     Income taxes paid                                                     322           122      

</TABLE>                                                                
                                                                          
     The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated
     financial statements. 
                                                                                
                                5                                       
                                                                           
<PAGE 6>
                                     
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  Lumber  Company
(the "Company").

      The  condensed  consolidated balance sheet as of March  29,  1997,  the
condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three-month periods
ended  March  29,  1997 and March 30, 1996, and the condensed  consolidated
statements of cash flows for the three-month periods ended March  29,  1997
and  March 30, 1996 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 29, 1997 and for all periods  presented
have been made. The results for the three-month period ended March 29, 1997
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 28, 1996, filed with the Securities and  Exchange
Commission.

   Share Data
   ----------

     The Company issued 3,791 shares of Common Stock to members of its board
of directors as compensation during the three-months ended March 29, 1997.


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

     Long-term  debt  is comprised of the following at March  29,  1997  (in
thousands):

         Revolving line of credit               $  86,376
         Senior subordinated notes                100,000
         Other                                        155
         Less current maturities                     (107)
                                                 --------
         Total long-term debt                  $  186,424
                                                 --------
                                     6
<PAGE 7>

     A  second  amendment and restatement of the Company's revolving  credit
agreement  was  completed  on April 11, 1997.   Among  other  things,  this
amendment  and restatement (i) extended the life of the facility  to  March
2001, (ii) reduced the interest rate premiums over LIBOR and over prime  by
75  basis  points,  (iii)  included provisions for  further  interest  rate
premium  reductions  if  certain  performance  levels  are  achieved,  (iv)
modified certain covenants, and (v) provided for increases in the amount of
capital  expenditures  allowed  by  the agreement  equal  to  the  proceeds
received from the sale of certain excess real estate.

    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 29, 1997 was $28.9 million.


3.    INCOME TAXES
      ------------

    The provision for income taxes for the three-month period ended March 29,
1997 was a $2.7 million benefit, compared to a benefit of $3.3 million  for
the  three-month period ended March 30, 1996.  An effective federal  income
tax  rate of 39.1% was used to calculate federal income taxes for the three
months  of  1997, compared with an effective rate of 38.5%  for  the  first
three months of 1996.  In addition to the effective federal tax rate, state
income  and franchise taxes were calculated separately and are included  in
the provision reported.


4.   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
     -----------------------------

    At  March 29, 1997, the Company had accrued approximately $1.1  million
(included  in  accrued liabilities at March 29, 1997)  for  remediation  of
certain   environmental   and   product  liability   matters,   principally
underground storage tank removal.

    Many  of the building center facilities presently and formerly operated
by  the Company contained underground petroleum storage tanks.  Other  than
tanks  at one acquired facility, recently installed and in compliance  with
modern standards, 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  $2.0  million  of  net 
costs, with respect to  the  filling  or  removing of underground  storage  
tanks  and  related investigatory and remedial actions.

                                   7
<PAGE 8>

   The Company is one of many defendants in approximately 120 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.  Each of the plaintiffs in these actions is 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 $10 million.

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

    Statement  of  Financial Accounting Standards No.  128,  "Earnings  Per
Share,"    revises   the   disclosure  requirements   and   increases   the
comparability  of  EPS data on an international basis  by  simplifying  the
existing  computational guidelines in APB Opinion No. 15. The pronouncement
will  require  the Company to present both basic and diluted  EPS  for  net
income  on  the  face  of the income statement and  is  effective  for  the
Company's fiscal year ending December 27, 1997. The impact of adopting  the
pronouncement has not been determined, however the Company believes it will
not have a material impact on its financial statements.

                                   8
<PAGE 9>

  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 28, 1996.

                           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  building  centers  and
component manufacturing facilities operated by the Company, including those
subsequently closed or sold.

                                               Three Months Ended
                                             ----------------------
                                             March 29,     March 30,     
                                               1997          1996
                                             ---------     --------   
                                   
            Net sales                         100.0%       100.0%
            Gross profit                       23.2%        22.9%     
            Selling, general and                       
              administrative expense           23.7%        23.4%     
            Depreciation, goodwill and                      
            trademark amortization              0.7%         0.9% 
            Provision for doubtful accounts     0.7%         0.9%       
            Other operating income            (0.5)%       (0.6)%    
            Loss from operations              (1.4)%       (1.7)%         
                                            
                                                        

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
1996,  the Northeast experienced record snowfalls which slowed construction
in  this  area of the country.  Weather conditions during the first quarter
of 1997 were closer to historical seasonal averages.

    Net  loss  for  the  three months ended March 29, 1997  was  $5,190,000
compared  with $6,174,000 for the three months ended March 30,  1996.   The
decrease  in  loss  for  the  three-month  period  primarily  results  from
increased  sales and gross profit margins, decreased depreciation  expense,
provision  for  doubtful  accounts, interest expense,  equity  in  loss  of
affiliated company, partially offset by an increase in selling, general and
administrative expenses ("SG&A") and a reduced income tax benefit.
                                     
                                     9                                     
<PAGE 10>                

                Three Months Ended March 29, 1997 Compared
                ------------------------------------------
                with the Three Months Ended March 30, 1996
                ------------------------------------------

Net Sales
---------

   Net sales for the first quarter of 1997 increased 4.5% to $159.3 million
from  $152.5  million  for the first quarter of  1996.   Same  store  sales
increased 3.5% compared with the same period last year. Same store sales to
the  Company's  primary  customers, residential  and  commercial  builders,
increased 5.5% when compared with the first quarter of 1996.  As of May  1,
1997  the  Company operated 112 building centers, two more than it operated
during  the first quarter of 1996. The Company estimates that inflation  in
lumber  prices  accounted  for approximately  $5.3  million  of  the  sales
increase for the quarter, compared with the 1996 comparable period.   Also,
weather  conditions in the Northeast during the first quarter of 1997  were
more  favorable compared with the record snowfalls recorded  in  the  first
quarter of 1996.


Gross Profit
------------

    1997  first quarter gross profit increased to $36.9 million from  $34.9
million for the first quarter of 1996, a 5.8% increase.  Gross profit as  a
percent  of  sales increased to 23.2% for the first quarter  of  1997  from
22.9%  in  1996.   The increase in gross profit as a percent  of  sales  is
primarily  attributable  to  improved product costs  and  increased  lumber
prices.   Sales to the professional builder, as a percent of  total  sales,
increased to 89.7% for the first quarter of 1997 from 87.1% for  the  same
period  in 1996.  Lumber and building materials accounted for 87.3% of  the
materials  sold in the first quarter of 1997, compared with  85.3%  of  the
materials sold in the first quarter of 1996.


Selling, General and Administrative Expense
-------------------------------------------

    SG&A  expense increased to 23.7% of net sales in the first  quarter  of
1997  compared with 23.4% of net sales in the first quarter of 1996.   Much
of  the  increase  is attributable to increased training, market  expansion
programs,  and the Company's decision to invest in facilities and  programs
to support sales improvement.  The Company expects to continue investing in
these sales growth programs through the second quarter.

   Increases, as a percent of sales, in travel, professional fees, training
costs,  and  marketing  were partially offset by reductions  in  utilities,
phone  and  salaries, wages, and employee benefits.  Total salaries,  wages
and  employee benefits decreased, as a percent of sales, by  0.1%.   As  of
March 29, 1997, the Company had 3,546 full time and part time employees, up
1.0% from March 30, 1996.
                                     10
<PAGE 11>

Depreciation, Goodwill and Trademark Amortization
-------------------------------------------------

    Depreciation,  goodwill and trademark amortization  decreased  to  $1.2
million  for the first quarter of 1997 compared with $1.4 million  for  the
same  period  in  1996.  This decrease is primarily  due  to  the  sale  or
disposal of excess facilities and equipment since June of 1995.


Provision for Doubtful Accounts
-------------------------------

    Provision for doubtful accounts decreased to $1.0 million or 0.7  %  of
sales  for the first quarter of 1997 compared with $1.4 million or 0.9%  of
sales  for the same period in 1996.  This decrease is the result of a  more
selective  customer base and improved credit policies at  centers  acquired
since  1994,  and  increased  efforts  in  collecting  previously  reserved
accounts receivable.


Other Operating Income
----------------------

    Other  operating income for the first quarter 1997 was $.8 million,  or
0.5%  of  sales compared with $.9 million, or 0.6% of sales  for  the  same
period last year.


Interest Expense
----------------

    In  the  first quarter of 1997 interest expense decreased 9.7% to  $5.2
million  from  $5.7 million in the first quarter of 1996.   This  reduction
reflects  a  $20.9 million decrease in average borrowings on the  Company's
revolving credit facility resulting primarily from the closing of  building
centers  since  December 1995 and $9.8 million in  net  proceeds  from  the
Company's  issuance of 2 million shares of its common stock in  June  1996.
The  effective borrowing rate on total long term debt for the first quarter
increased  15  basis points from the first quarter of 1996.   Approximately
89%  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 a  loss  of  $0.6
million,  under  the equity method, with respect to its investment  in  its
affiliate  engaged in operations in Russia.  In the first quarter  of  1996
the Company recorded a loss of $1.1 million.

                                    11
<PAGE 12>

Provision for Income Taxes
--------------------------

   The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $2.7 million for the first
quarter  of  1997  compared with a benefit of $3.3  million  in  the  first
quarter of 1996.  An effective federal income tax rate of 39.1% was used to
calculate federal income taxes for the first quarter of 1997, compared with
an  effective rate of 38.5% for the first quarter of 1996.  In addition  to
the  effective federal tax rate used, state income and franchise taxes were
calculated  separately and are included in the benefit  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,  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
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.
                                      
                                  12
<PAGE 13>

                      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.

    The first three months of the year historically have generated negative
cash  flows  from operating activities, with first quarter  1996  being  an
exception.   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.  In the first three months of 1997 net  cash  used  in
operating activities amounted to $11.5 million.

    The  Company's  accounts receivable balance at the  end  of  the  first
quarter  of 1997 increased $6.6 million when compared to the first  quarter
of 1996, an increase of 10.8%.  Approximately $5.2 million of this increase
is attributable to increased credit sales during March.

    Inventory at the end of the first quarter of 1997 was $6.5 million,  or
6.3%,  higher than at the end of the first quarter of 1996.  This  increase
is  largely  attributable to inflation in lumber prices,  special  buys  on
commodity building materials in preparation for the spring selling  season,
and the start-up of four new building centers.  Most of the special buys on
commodity  building  materials  included extended  accounts  payable  terms
resulting in the 8.6% increase in accounts payable.

   The Company's capital expenditures consist primarily of the construction
of  storage  facilities, the remodeling of building centers  and  component
manufacturing  facilities,  and the purchase  of  vehicles,  equipment  and
management  information systems.  In the first three  months  of  1997  the
Company spent $.5 million on capital expenditures.  The Company expects  to
spend approximately $6.0 million for all of 1997. Under the Company's  bank
revolving  credit agreement, as amended, capital expenditures  during  1997
are  limited  to  $6.0 million plus the proceeds from the sale  of  certain
excess  real  estate plus the portion of 1996's capital  expenditures  that
were  not spent.  The Company expects to fund capital expenditures  through
borrowings and its internally generated cash flow.

    In  January,  the  Company began distribution  operations  in  start-up
building  center  facilities  in  Aurora, Illinois  and  Colorado  Springs,
Colorado.   In April, the Company also began building center operations  in
Denton,  North Carolina and a second facility in Pensacola,  Florida.   The
Pensacola  facility is owned  by  the  Company and the remaining three 
facilities are  leased.   The following  table  reconciles the number of 
building centers  and  component manufacturing facilities operated 
by the Company:

                                  13
<PAGE 14>

                                                Component
                                   Building   Manufacturing
                                   Centers      Facilities
                                  -------------------------
As of December 28, 1996              108            12
   Expansion                           2             -
                                  --------       ---------
As of March 29, 1997                 110            12
   Expansion                           2             -
   Consolidation                       -            (1)
                                  --------       ---------
As of May 1, 1997                    112            11

    For  a  description of the April 11, 1997 amendment  to  the  Company's
revolving  line of credit agreement, that, among other things, reduces  the
Company's  effective  interest  rate, provides  for  additional  reductions
should certain goals be achieved, extends the length of the agreement,  and
modifies  or eliminates certain covenants, see "Note 2. Long-Term Debt"  of
Notes  to  Condensed  Consolidated Financial Statements included  elsewhere
herein.

    The Company maintained excess availability under its revolving line  of
credit throughout the first three months of 1997.  At the end of the  first
quarter  of  1997 total borrowings under the revolving line of credit  were
$6.8  million lower than at the end of the first quarter of 1996.  Net cash
provided  by  operating activities during the first  nine  months  of  1995
amounted  to $12.1 million   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 May 3, 1997, $97.2 million was outstanding  under  the
Company's  revolving  line  of  credit, and  the  unused  availability  was
approximately $32.8 million.  The Company's assessment of its future  funds
availability  constitutes  Forward-Looking Information  and  is  inherently
subject  to  uncertainty resulting from, among other  things,  the  factors
discussed under "Results of Operations - Provision for Income Taxes".

                                   14
                            
<PAGE 15>                            

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

Item 2.   Changes in Securities
-------------------------------

      For a description of the amendment to the Company's revolving line of
credit  agreement that, among other things, reduces the Company's effective
interest  rate, provides for additional reductions should certain goals  be
achieved,  extends the length of the agreement, and modifies or  eliminates
certain  covenants,  see "Note 2. Long-Term Debt"  of  Notes  to  Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.

Item 5.   Other Information
---------------------------

      On  April  9, 1997, the Board of Directors of the Company approved  a
proposal to amend the Company's Second Amended and Restated Certificate  of
Incorporation to change the Company's name to "Wickes Inc."  This  proposal
will  be submitted for approval of the Company's shareholders at the Annual
Meeting  scheduled for May 20, 1997.  If the proposal is  approved  by  the
shareholders,  the  name  change  will  be  effective  upon  filing  of   a
certificate  of  amendment with the Secretary of  State  of  the  State  of
Delaware.   Until such certificate of amendment is filed, the  name  change
may be abandoned by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion.

Item 6.   Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
------------------------------------------

     (a)  Exhibits

          4.1  Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated
               April  11 1997, among the Registrant, as Borrower,  each  of
               the  financial institutions signatory thereto, BT Commercial
               Corporation,  as  Agent, Nations Bank  of  Georgia  N.A.  as
               Syndication  Agent,  and Bankers Trust Company,  as  Issuing
               Bank.

          11.1 Statement regarding computation of earnings per share.

          27.1 Financial data schedule (SEC use only).

     (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

               None
                           
                                    15
<PAGE 16>
                           
                           
                           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 LUMBER COMPANY




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



                         By:  /s/ George A. Bajalia
                              -------------------------
                              George A. Bajalia
                              Senior Vice President and Chief
                              Financial Officer


Date:  May 9, 1997
                                   16