<PAGE>   1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

[ X ]   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
        EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended February 28, 1997

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

For the transition period from                  to
                               ----------------    -----------------
Commission file number 0-17051

                             Tuscarora Incorporated
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in the charter.)

           Pennsylvania                                     25-1119372
   (State or other jurisdiction of                        (IRS Employer
    incorporation or organization)                      Identification No.)

                                800 Fifth Avenue
                        New Brighton, Pennsylvania 15066
                    (Address of principal executive offices)
                                   (Zip Code)

                                  412-843-8200
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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

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

                              Yes [ X ]   No [   ]

          As of April 1, 1997, 9,465,585 shares of Common Stock, without par
value, of the registrant were outstanding.


<PAGE>   2



                             Tuscarora Incorporated

                                     INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Page
<S>        <C>                                                     <C>
Part I.    Financial Information:

           Item 1.  Financial Statements

           Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at
           February 28, 1997 and August 31, 1996                      3

           Condensed Consolidated Statements of
           Income - Three and six month periods ended
           February 28, 1997 and February 29, 1996                    4

           Condensed Consolidated Statements of
           Cash Flows - Six months ended February 28,
           1997 and February 29, 1996                                 5

           Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial
           Statements                                               6-7

           Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis
                    of Financial Condition and Results
                    of Operations                                  8-10

Part II.   Other Information:

           Item 1.  Legal Proceedings                                11

           Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of
                    Security Holders                                 11

           Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                 12
</TABLE>


                                       2


<PAGE>   3



                         PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

                             Tuscarora Incorporated
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            February 28,              August 31,
                                                1997                     1996
                                                ----                     ----
                                            (Unaudited)
<S>                                         <C>                   <C>
                                     ASSETS

Current Assets
  Cash and cash equivalents                 $    507,448          $  3,379,776
  Trade accounts receivable, net of
    provision for losses                      29,329,414            26,094,406
  Inventories                                 19,551,098            15,666,880
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets    3,273,793             1,771,694
                                            ------------          ------------
                                              52,661,753            46,912,756

Property, Plant and Equipment, net            83,874,250            78,709,646

Other Assets
   Goodwill                                    6,025,762             3,406,779

   Other non-current assets                    2,539,318             2,140,261
                                            ------------          ------------

           Total Assets                     $145,101,083          $131,169,442
                                            ============          ============

                      LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current Liabilities
  Current maturities of long-term debt      $  5,315,974          $  5,346,335
  Accounts payable                            14,577,459            16,416,387
  Accrued income taxes                            34,442               153,930
  Accrued payroll and related taxes              724,731               595,282
  Other current liabilities                    2,537,667             1,176,918
                                            ------------          ------------
                                              23,190,273            23,688,852

Long-Term Debt - less current maturities      47,237,409            39,249,136

Deferred Income Taxes                          2,620,234             2,069,988

Other Long-Term Liabilities                    2,067,303             1,334,577
                                            ------------          ------------
           Total Liabilities                  75,115,219            66,342,553

Shareholders' Equity
  Preferred Stock - par value $.01 per
    share; authorized shares, 1,000,000;               -                     -
    none issued
  Common Stock - without par value;
    authorized shares, 20,000,000; issued         
    shares, 9,458,947 at February 28, 1997 
    and 9,426,923 at August 31, 1996           9,458,947             9,426,923
  Capital surplus                                846,757               740,818
  Retained earnings                           59,708,850            54,825,048
  Foreign currency translation adjustment         47,020               (38,690)
                                            ------------          ------------ 
                                              70,061,574            64,954,099
  Less cost of reacquired shares of Common
    Stock; 4,620 shares at 
    February 28, 1997 and 12,351 at
    August 31, 1996                               75,710               127,210
                                            ------------          ------------
           Total Shareholders' Equity         69,985,864            64,826,889
                                            ------------          ------------

           Total Liabilities and
           Shareholders' Equity             $145,101,083          $131,169,442
                                            ============          ============
</TABLE>

Note:      The consolidated balance sheet at August 31, 1996 has been taken
           from the audited financial statements and condensed. Share numbers
           and the Common Stock and Capital Surplus accounts as of August 31,
           1996 have been adjusted to reflect the 50% share distribution
           declared on December 18, 1996 payable on January 13, 1997 to holders
           of record on December 27, 1996.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                       3


<PAGE>   4



                             Tuscarora Incorporated
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                  (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Three Months Ended                       Six Months Ended
                               February 28,         February 29,        February 28,         February 29,
                                   1997                 1996                1997                 1996
                               ------------         ------------        ------------         ------------
<S>                           <C>                   <C>                 <C>                  <C>
Net Sales                     $ 48,976,541         $ 43,188,022        $102,417,245         $ 90,483,738

Cost of Sales                   37,454,546           33,274,525          77,189,649           68,613,281
                              ------------         ------------        ------------         ------------

        Gross profit            11,521,995            9,913,497          25,227,596           21,870,457

Selling and Administrative
   Expenses                      7,061,198            5,985,773          13,923,466           12,100,041
Interest Expense                   885,317              685,899           1,722,679            1,393,966
Other (Income) Expense             147,238              (23,294)            105,728              (32,115)
                              ------------         ------------        ------------         ------------ 
                                 8,093,753            6,648,378          15,751,873           13,461,892
                              ------------         ------------        ------------         ------------

        Income before income
          taxes                  3,428,242            3,265,119           9,475,723            8,408,565

Provision for Income Taxes       1,354,556            1,278,424           3,710,363            3,267,425
                              ------------         ------------        ------------         ------------

        Net income            $  2,073,686         $  1,986,695        $  5,765,360         $  5,141,140
                              ============         ============        ============         ============


Net income per share                  $.22                $.21                 $.61                $.55
                                      ====                ====                 ====                ====

Weighted average number of
   shares of Common Stock
   outstanding                   9,449,003            9,362,306           9,436,502            9,317,366
                                 =========            =========           =========            =========
</TABLE>


The per share and share numbers for the three and six month periods ended
February 29, 1996 have been adjusted to reflect the 50% share distribution
declared on December 18, 1996 payable on January 13, 1997 to holders of record
on December 27, 1996.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                       4


<PAGE>   5



                             Tuscarora Incorporated
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                  (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                            
                                                            Six Months Ended
                                                 February 28,          February 29,
                                                    1997                  1996
                                                 ------------          ------------
<S>                                              <C>                   <C>
Operating Activities 
   Net Income                                    $  5,765,360          $  5,141,140

   Adjustments to reconcile net income
    to cash provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation                                  7,445,766             5,817,025
      Amortization                                    387,881               292,119
      Provision for losses on receivables             322,352               238,132
      Increase (decrease) in deferred
      income taxes                                    260,992            (  178,202)
      (Gain) loss on sale of property, plant 
         and equipment, net                           177,303            (    4,044)
      Stock compensation expense                        6,602                 5,855
      Supplemental retirement plan                     58,777                    -

   Changes in operating assets and liabilities, 
    net of effects of business acquisitions:
      Decrease (increase):
        Trade accounts receivable                 (   484,041)           (  329,594)
        Inventories                               ( 2,943,308)              773,364
        Prepaid expenses and other
          current assets                          ( 1,151,524)           (1,389,016)
        Other non-current assets                           -             (  111,021)
      Increase (decrease):
        Accounts payable                          ( 2,875,334)           (2,116,452)
        Accrued income taxes                      (   259,538)               75,316
        Accrued payroll and related taxes              62,324                 4,115
        Other current liabilities                 ( 1,616,916)           (  566,312)
        Other long-term liabilities                        -             (   49,139)
                                                  ------------          ------------
          Net cash provided by operating
            activities                              5,156,696             7,603,286 
                                                  ------------          ------------

Investing Activities
   Purchase of property, plant and equipment      (10,519,944)           (9,714,540)
   Business acquisitions, net of cash
     acquired                                     ( 4,807,343)              129,066
   Proceeds from sale of property, plant and
      equipment                                       793,666                12,080 
                                                  ------------          ------------
          Net cash (used for)
            investing activities                  (14,533,621)           (9,573,394)
                                                  ------------          ------------

Financing Activities
   Proceeds from long-term debt                    10,700,000             3,500,000
   Payments on long-term debt                     ( 3,412,928)           (2,589,890)
   Dividends paid                                 (   881,558)           (  811,254)
   Proceeds from sale of Common Stock                 182,861               215,560 
                                                 ------------          ------------
          Net cash provided by financing
            activities                              6,588,375               314,416 
                                                 ------------          ------------

Effects of Foreign Currency Exchange Rate 
   Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents           (    83,778)           (    2,126)
                                                 ------------          ------------

          Net decrease in cash and cash
             equivalents                          ( 2,872,328)           (1,657,818)

Cash and Cash Equivalents at
   Beginning of Period                              3,379,776             2,659,767 
                                                 ------------          ------------

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period        $   507,448           $ 1,001,949 
                                                 ============          ============
</TABLE>

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

                                       5


<PAGE>   6



                             Tuscarora Incorporated
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (Unaudited)

1.    Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

           The condensed consolidated balance sheet at February 28, 1997 and
      the consolidated statements of income and consolidated statements of cash
      flows for the periods ended February 28, 1997 and February 29, 1996 have
      been prepared by the Company, without audit. In the opinion of
      Management, all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial
      position, results of operations and changes in cash flows at February 28,
      1997 and for the periods presented have been made.

           The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have
      been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
      for interim financial information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q
      and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of
      the information and footnotes required for complete financial statements
      prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. 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 1996 Annual Report to Shareholders and
      incorporated by reference in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for
      the fiscal year ended August 31, 1996.

           The results of operations for the period ended February 28, 1997 are
      not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for
      the full year.

2.    Inventories

      Inventories are summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             February 28,           August 31,
                                                 1997                  1996
                                                 ----                  ----
      <S>                                   <C>                   <C>
      Finished goods                        $ 11,311,117          $  9,739,590
      Work in process                            352,483               215,475
      Raw materials                            6,028,880             4,233,990
      Supplies                                 1,858,618             1,477,825
                                            ------------          ------------

                                            $ 19,551,098          $ 15,666,880
                                            ============          ============
</TABLE>


                                       6


<PAGE>   7



3.    Acquisitions

           In September 1996, the Company acquired the custom thermoforming
      business of FormPac Corporation in Sandusky, Ohio; and in October 1996,
      the Company acquired all the outstanding capital stock of EPS (Moulders)
      Ltd., a custom molding business in Livingston, Scotland. The aggregate
      purchase price for these acquisitions was approximately $6.7 million and
      includes cash consideration of $4.9 million, notes and other obligations
      payable valued at approximately $788,000, and an accrual for estimated
      payments based on the sales of EPS (Moulders) Ltd. during the twelve
      months following the acquisition and on the operating performance of
      FormPac during the three years following its acquisition.  The excess of
      the purchase price of $6.7 million over the fair market value of the net
      assets acquired in these acquisitions resulted in approximately $2.5 
      million being recognized as goodwill and amortized over 15 years. The 
      Company is continuing the businesses acquired at the same locations 
      under leases assumed or entered into in connection with the acquisitions.

           The operating results of the acquisitions are included in the
      Company's consolidated results of operations from the date of
      acquisition.  The combined operating results, including the results from
      the acquired businesses had they been included at the beginning of the
      fiscal year would not be materially different from the results of
      operations as reported.

4.    50% Share Distribution

           On December 18, 1996, the Company's Board of Directors declared a
      50% share distribution on the Company's Common Stock payable on January
      13, 1997 to shareholders of record on December 27, 1996. In connection
      with the distribution, $1.00 has been transferred from the Company's
      Capital Surplus account to the Company's Common Stock account for each
      share issued.

           All references in the accompanying financial statements to the
      number of shares and per share amounts for the three and six month
      periods ended February 29, 1996 have been restated to reflect the
      distribution.

5.    Claims and Contingencies

           A lawsuit seeking compensatory and punitive damages as a result of
      the alleged wrongful death of an employee was filed against the Company
      in December 1996 (see Item 1 of Part II of this current report).

           Two lawsuits are pending against the Company involving claims of
      sexual discrimination and harassment in which compensatory and punitive
      damages are sought. The Company is vigorously contesting these lawsuits
      and believes that, consistent with a policy in place for many years, it
      promptly, reasonably and effectively responded to all alleged incidents.
      Other employment-related claims are pending before Federal and state
      agencies.

           The Company is involved in legal and administrative proceedings,
      including one with respect to a Superfund site, which may result in the
      Company becoming liable for a portion of certain environmental cleanup
      costs. With respect to these matters, the Company believes that its share
      of the costs should not be significant.

           In the opinion of management, the disposition of the legal and
      administrative proceedings should not have a material adverse effect on
      the Company's financial position or results of operations.

                                       7


<PAGE>   8



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

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - SECOND QUARTER FISCAL 1997
COMPARED TO SECOND QUARTER FISCAL 1996

     Net sales for the quarter ended February 28, 1997 were $49.0 million, an
increase of $5.8 million, or 13.4%, over the same quarter of fiscal 1996.
Approximately 61.1% of the increase in net sales was due to the acquisitions of
FormPac Corporation in Sandusky, Ohio in September 1996 and EPS (Moulders) Ltd.
in Livingston, Scotland in October 1996. The balance of the increase was due to
the Company's core molding operations. The sales increase was achieved despite 
lower sales at the Company's integrated materials facilities and price 
reductions in January 1997 resulting from lower raw material costs.

     Gross profit for the quarter ended February 28, 1997 was $11.5 million, a
16.2% increase from $9.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal 1996. The gross
profit margin increased to 23.5% from 23.0% due to lower raw material costs and
to improvement in the profit margin at the integrated materials facilities. The
gross margin increased despite below-average profit margins at the facilities
acquired in September and October 1996.

     Selling and administrative expenses increased $1.1 million or 18.0% for
the quarter ended February 28, 1997 and increased as a percentage of net sales
to 14.4% from 13.9% in the same period of fiscal 1996. The dollar increase is
due primarily to increased employee costs added as a result of the acquisitions
in September and October 1996.

     Interest expense for the quarter ended February 28, 1997 was $885,000
compared to $686,000 in the same period of fiscal 1996. The increase of
$199,000, or 29.1%, is due to the increase in long-term debt primarily as a
result of the acquisitions in September and October 1996.

     Income before income taxes for the quarter ended February 28, 1997
increased to $3.4 million from $3.3 million in the same period of fiscal 1996,
an increase of $100,000 or 5.0%. The provision for income taxes for the quarter
ended February 28, 1997 increased primarily due to the increased income before
income taxes.

     Net income for the quarter ended February 28, 1997 was $2.1 million, an
increase of 4.4% from the $2.0 million earned in the same quarter of fiscal
1996. The increase was due primarily to the increases in net sales and gross
profit.

     Net sales and net income were Company records for a second fiscal quarter.

                                       8


<PAGE>   9



RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1997
COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED FEBRUARY 29, 1996

     Net sales for the six months ended February 28, 1997 were $102.4 million,
an increase of $11.9 million, or 13.2%, over the same six-month period of fiscal
1996. Approximately 63.3% of the increase in net sales was due to the
acquisitions of Alpine Packaging Corporation in Colorado Springs, Colorado in
December 1995 and of FormPac Corporation and EPS (Moulders) Ltd. in September
and October 1996, respectively. The balance of the increase was due to the
Company's core molding operations. The overall sales increase was achieved
despite lower sales at the Company's integrated materials facilities and
reductions in some selling prices.

     Gross profit for the six months ended February 28, 1997 was $25.2 million,
a 15.4% increase from $21.9 million in the first six months of fiscal 1996. The
gross profit margin increased to 24.6% from 24.2% due to lower raw material 
costs throughout the period and higher profit margins at the integrated 
materials facilities. The gross profit margin increased despite below average 
gross margins at the facilities acquired in September and October 1996.

     Selling and administrative expenses for the current six-month period were
$13.9 million, an 15.1% increase over $12.1 million in the previous period.
Selling and administrative expenses increased as a percentage of net sales to
13.6% from 13.4% in the same period of fiscal 1996. The dollar increase is due
primarily to increased employee costs added as a result of the acquisitions in
December 1995 and September and October 1996.

     Interest expense for the six months ended February 28, 1997 increased to
$1.7 million from $1.4 million in the same period of fiscal 1996. The increase
of $329,000, or 23.6%, is due to the increase in long-term debt primarily as a
result of the acquisitions in September and October 1996.

     Income before income taxes for the six months ended February 28, 1997
increased to $9.5 million from $8.4 million in the same period of fiscal 1996,
an increase of $1.1 million or 12.7%. The provision for income taxes for the
quarter ended February 28, 1997 increased primarily due to the increased income
before income taxes.

     Net income for the six months ended February 28, 1997 was $5.8 million, an
increase of 12.1% from the $5.1 million earned in the same period of fiscal
1996. The increase was due primarily to the increases in net sales and gross
profit.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended February
28, 1997 amounted to $5.2 million compared to $7.6 million for the same period
in fiscal 1996. Depreciation and amortization for the same six-month periods
amounted to $7.8 million and $6.1 million, respectively. Because a substantial
portion of the company's operating expenses are attributable to depreciation and
amortization, the Company believes that its liquidity would not be adversely
affected should a period of reduced earnings occur.

                                       9


<PAGE>   10



     During the six months ended February 28, 1997, the Company's inventories
and accounts receivable decreased as a result of the increased sales level and
as a result of the acquisitions in September and October 1996. These increases
and decreases in accounts payable reduced the net cash provided by operating
activities.

     Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment during the six
months ended February 28, 1997 amounted to $10.5 million, including
approximately $907,000 for environmental control equipment. The largest amount
of the capital expenditures was for molding presses and related process
equipment.

     In September 1996, the Company acquired the custom thermoforming business
of FormPac Corporation in Sandusky, Ohio and in October 1996 the Company
acquired the custom molding business of EPS (Moulders) Ltd. in Livingston
Scotland (see Note 3 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). The
amount paid at the closings of these transactions was borrowed from the
Company's principal bank (see the following paragraph). The Company will
continue to look for acquisitions which will mesh well with the Company's
business.

     Total long-term debt of the Company amounted to $47.2 million at February
28, 1997, of which $44.0 million was borrowed under a credit agreement with the
Company's principal bank, including $13.9 million out of an available $40.0
million under a revolving credit agreement. During the six months ended
February 28, 1997, $10.7 million was borrowed under the revolving credit
agreement primarily to fund the acquisitions referred to above. Total long-term
debt amounted to $39.2 million at August 31, 1996.

     On December 18, 1996, the Company declared its regular semiannual cash
dividend of $.14 per share payable on January 6, 1997 to shareholders of record
on December 27, 1997. The Company also declared a 50% stock distribution
payable to shareholders of record on December 27, 1996 payable on January 13,
1997. A cash dividend of $.13 per share was paid in January 1996.

     Cash provided by operating activities as supplemented by the amount
available under the bank credit agreement should be sufficient to enable the
Company to continue to fund its operating needs, capital expenditures and
dividend payments.

INFLATION

     The impact of inflation on the Company's financial position and results of
operations has not been significant during the periods discussed.

                                       10


<PAGE>   11



                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.

     On December 23, 1996, a Complaint for Wrongful Death was filed by John C.
Bartram, Administrator of the Estate of Dwayne Scott Mount, Deceased (the
"Decedent"), against the Company and Toyo Machine and Metal Co., Ltd. ("Toyo")
in the Court of Common Pleas of Marion County, Ohio. On May 7, 1996, the
Decedent was killed while working on a molding machine manufactured by
defendant Toyo, at the Company's custom molding plant in Marion, Ohio. Count I
of the Complaint claims that the Decedent was wrongfully killed as a result of
certain alleged intentional conduct of the Company and seeks both compensatory
and punitive damages from the Company of not less than $5,000,000. Count II of
the Complaint seeks damages from defendant Toyo for defective and/or negligent
design of the machine. The Company has filed an Answer to the Complaint denying
the allegations against the Company and asserting various defenses including
that the plaintiff's claim is barred by recovery from the Ohio Bureau of
Workers' Compensation. The Company will vigorously defend this litigation.

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

     The Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on December 18,
1996. The holders of 5,280,433 shares of the Company's Common Stock
(approximately 84.0% of the shares entitled to be voted) were present at the
meeting in person or by proxy. The matters voted upon at the meeting were (i)
the election of three persons to serve as directors for a three-year term
expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders in 1999, and (ii) the
ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young, LLP as the independent public
accountants to audit the financial statements of the Company and its
subsidiaries for the 1997 fiscal year.

     Thomas S. Blair, Jeffery L. Leininger and Thomas P. Woolaway, the nominees
of the Company's Board of Directors, were elected to serve as directors until
1999. There were no other nominees.  Shares were voted as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Withhold
                     Name                         For                Vote For
                     ----                         ---                --------
            <S>                                <C>                    <C>
            Thomas S. Blair                    5,248,738              31,695
            Jeffery L. Leininger               5,243,163              37,270
            Thomas P. Woolaway                 5,249,738              30,695
</TABLE>

     The appointment of Ernst & Young, LLP as the independent public
accountants for the 1997 fiscal year was ratified: affirmative votes, 5,257,688
shares; negative votes, 3,540 shares; and abstained, 19,225 shares.

                                      -11-


<PAGE>   12



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

      (a)  Exhibits

      The exhibits listed below are filed as a part of this quarterly report.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            Exhibit No.                             Document
            -----------                             --------
                <S>                    <C>
                11                     Computation of Net Income Per Share.

                27                     Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>

      (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

      No events which resulted in the filing of a current report on Form 8-K
occurred during the fiscal quarter ended February 28, 1997.

                                       12


<PAGE>   13



                                   SIGNATURES

          Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                         Tuscarora Incorporated
                                              (Registrant)

Date:  April  14, 1997                  By  /s/ JOHN P. O'LEARY, JR.
                                            -------------------------
                                             John P. O'Leary, Jr.,
                                             President and
                                             Chief Executive Officer


Date:  April  14, 1997                  By  /s/ BRIAN C. MULLINS
                                            ---------------------
                                             Brian C. Mullins,
                                             Vice President and
                                             Treasurer (Principal
                                             Financial Officer and
                                             Principal Accounting
                                             Officer)


                                       13


<PAGE>   14



                             Tuscarora Incorporated
                 FORM 10-Q FOR QUARTER ENDED FEBRUARY 28, 1997

                                  EXHIBIT LIST

     The following exhibits are filed as a part of this quarterly report on
Form 10-Q.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  Exhibit
    No.                                 Document
  -------                               --------
    <S>                   <C>
    11                    Computation of Net Income Per Share.

    27                    Financial Data Schedule.
</TABLE>