FORM 10-Q

                   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


                         WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
(Mark One)

      X  Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
     ---   Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                   FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 29, 1997

                                   or

     --- Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
           Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                       Commission File No. 1-9973

                      THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION                
       -----------------------------------------------------------
          (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


        DELAWARE                               36-3352497            
- -------------------------------    ------------------------------------
(State or Other Jurisdiction of    (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)

1400 TOASTMASTER DRIVE, ELGIN, ILLINOIS                      60120  
- ---------------------------------------                   ----------
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                  (Zip Code)


Registrant's Telephone No., including Area Code      (847) 741-3300  
                                                   ------------------

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 twelve (12) months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant
was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.  YES    X      NO        
                                         -----        -----


As of March 29, 1997, there were 8,470,938 shares of the registrant's common
stock outstanding.





                    THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           QUARTER ENDED MARCH 29, 1997


                                       INDEX
                                      -------


DESCRIPTION                                                  PAGE
- -----------                                                  ----

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION                             

         Item 1.  Consolidated Financial Statements

                  BALANCE SHEETS                               1
                    March 29, 1997 and December 28, 1996

                  STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS                       2
                    March 29, 1997 and March 30, 1996

                  STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS                     3
                    March 29, 1997 and March 30, 1996      

                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                4

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


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION                                    10





PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    
                      THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                             CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                   
        
                                         (UNAUDITED)
ASSETS                                  MARCH 29, 1997    DEC. 28, 1996
- -------------------------------         --------------    -------------

Cash and Cash Equivalents.............     $ 1,685           $ 1,410 
Accounts Receivable, net..............      22,665            19,859
Inventories, net......................      23,997            20,956
Prepaid Expenses and Other............         922               939
Net Assets of Discontinued Operations.       2,291             4,082
Current Deferred Taxes................       2,099             2,086 
                                           -------           -------

     Total Current Assets.............      53,659            49,332
Property, Plant and Equipment, net of
  accumulated depreciation of
  $12,221,000 and $11,741,000.........      19,059            18,843
Excess Purchase Price Over Net Assets
  Acquired, net of accumulated
  amortization of $4,328,000 and
  $4,216,000..........................      13,227            13,339
Deferred Taxes........................       2,318             2,950
Other Assets..........................       1,541             1,504
                                           -------           -------
            Total Assets..............     $89,804           $85,968
                                           -------           -------
                                           -------           -------

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
- --------------------------------------
Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt..     $ 2,805           $ 3,916
Accounts Payable......................      13,142            10,369
Accrued Expenses......................       9,775            10,001
                                           -------           -------
     Total Current Liabilities........      25,722            24,286
Long-Term Debt........................      38,051            37,352
Minority Interest and Other
  Non-current Liabilities.............       2,297             1,880
Shareholders' Equity:
  Preferred Stock, $.01 par value;
    nonvoting; 2,000,000 shares
    authorized; none issued...........           -                 -
  Common Stock, $.01 par value;
    20,000,000 shares authorized;
    8,471,000 and 8,468,000 issued
    and outstanding in 1997 and
    1996, respectively................          85                85
  Paid-in Capital.....................      28,157            28,108
  Cumulative Translation Adjustment...        (335)             (184)
  Accumulated Deficit.................      (4,173)           (5,559)
                                           -------           -------
     Total Shareholders' Equity.......      23,734            22,450
                                           -------           -------
            Total Liabilities and
              Shareholders' Equity....     $89,804           $85,968
                                           -------           -------
                                           -------           -------

                            See accompanying notes
                                     - 1 -



                      THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
                                            (UNAUDITED)


                                               THREE MONTHS ENDED    
                                        --------------------------------
                                                             RESTATED
                                        MARCH 29, 1997    MARCH 30, 1996
                                        --------------    --------------

Net Sales............................       $32,698           $29,510
                                                        
Cost of Sales........................        22,224            20,943
                                            -------           ------- 
     Gross Margin....................        10,474             8,567
                                                        
Selling and Distribution Expenses....         4,681             4,010
General and Administrative Expenses..         2,675             2,269
                                            -------           ------- 
     Income from Operations..........         3,118             2,288
                                                        
Interest Expense and Deferred                           
  Financing Amortization.............         1,081             1,057
Other (Income) Expense, net..........           (38)               18
                                            -------           ------- 
     Earnings Before Income                             
       Taxes.........................         2,075             1,213
                                                        
Provision for Income Taxes...........           689               447
                                            -------           ------- 
     Earnings from Continuing                           
          Operations.................       $ 1,386           $   766
                                            -------           ------- 
Loss from Discontinued Operations,                      
     Net of Tax......................             -               (80)
                                            -------           ------- 
Net Earnings.........................       $ 1,386           $   686
                                            -------           ------- 
                                            -------           ------- 
                                                        
Earnings Per Share from Continuing                      
     Operations......................       $   .16           $   .09
                                                        
Loss Per Share from Discontinued                        
     Operations......................             -              (.01)
                                            -------           ------- 
Net Earnings Per Share...............       $   .16           $   .08
                                            -------           ------- 
                                            -------           ------- 
                                                        

                                See accompanying notes
                                        - 2 -




                       THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                     (IN THOUSANDS)
                                       (UNAUDITED)
                  

                                                  THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                              --------------------------
                                                               RESTATED
                                             MARCH 29, 1997   MARCH 30,1996
                                             --------------   -------------
Cash Flows From Operating Activities-
  Net Earnings...........................       $  1,386         $   686
  Adjustments to reconcile Net
    Earnings to cash provided by
    continuing operating activities-
    Depreciation and amortization........            656             623
    Utilization of NOL's.................            620             338
    Discontinued operations..............              -              80

  Changes in assets and liabilities-
    Accounts receivable..................         (2,806)         (2,883)
    Inventories..........................         (3,041)           (639)
    Prepaid expenses and other assets....            231            (808)
    Accounts payable and other
      liabilities........................          2,547            (169)
                                                --------          ------
  Net Cash Used in Continuing            
    Operating Activities.................           (407)         (2,772)
  Net Cash Used in Discontinued
    Operations...........................         (3,290)         (1,086)
                                                --------          ------
  Net Cash Used in Operating
    Activities...........................         (3,697)         (3,858)
                                                --------          ------
Cash Flows From Investing Activities-
  Proceeds from Sale of Discontinued
    Operations...........................        $ 5,081         $    -
  Additions to Property and Equipment....           (697)         (1,302)
                                                --------          ------
  Net Cash Provided By (Used in)          
    Investing Activities.................          4,384          (1,302)
                                                --------          ------
Cash Flows From Financing Activities-
  Increase in revolving credit line, net.        $   307         $ 3,139
  Reduction in term loans................         (2,020)              -
  Proceeds from capital expenditure loan.              -             500
  Increase in foreign bank debt..........          1,304               -
  Other financing activities, net........             (3)          1,760
                                                --------          ------
  Net Cash (Used in) Provided by
    Financing Activities.................           (412)          5,399
                                                --------          ------
Changes in Cash and Cash Equivalents-
  Net increase in cash and cash   
    equivalents..........................            275             239
  Cash and cash equivalents at
    beginning of year....................          1,410             972
                                                --------          ------
  Cash and Cash Equivalents at end
    of quarter...........................        $ 1,685         $ 1,211
                                                --------          ------
                                                --------          ------
Interest paid............................        $   964         $ 1,111
                                                --------          ------
                                                --------          ------
Income taxes paid........................        $    37         $     5
                                                --------          ------
                                                --------          ------
    
                               See accompanying notes

                                        - 3 -




                 THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

            NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
    
                               MARCH 29, 1997
                                (UNAUDITED)


1)   BASIS OF PRESENTATION

     The financial statements have been prepared by The Middleby
     Corporation (the "Company"), without audit, pursuant to the rules and
     regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain
     information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial
     statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
     principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and
     regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are
     adequate to make the information not misleading.  These financial
     statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements
     and related notes contained in the Company's 1996 Annual Report. 
     Other than as indicated herein, there have been no significant changes
     from the data presented in said Report.

     In the opinion of management, the financial statements contain all
     adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of the
     Company as of March 29, 1997 and December 28, 1996, and the results of
     operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 29, 1997
     and March 30, 1996. 

2)   DISCONTINUED OPERATION

     On January 23, 1997,the Company completed the sale of substantially
     all of the assets of its Victory Refrigeration Company ("Victory")
     subsidiary to an investor group led by local management at Victory. 
     Gross proceeds from the sale are expected to amount to approximately
     $7,300,000, less amounts for retained liabilities and transaction
     costs aggregating approximately $2,600,000.  The proceeds are subject
     to post-closing adjustments.  The terms of the sale were the results
     of arms-length negotiations.  This sale was announced on November 1,
     1996, concluding the sale of all of the assets of Victory.  The sale
     and leaseback of the Victory facility to an unrelated third party had
     previously been completed on December 27, 1996 for net proceeds of
     approximately $4,556,000.  Proceeds from these transactions were used
     to pay down debt.
     
     The results of the Victory Refrigeration Company subsidiary have been
     reported separately as a discontinued operation in the consolidated
     financial statements for all periods 
     presented.  The results of the discontinued operations are
     
     
                                    - 4 -



     not necessarily indicative of the results which may have been obtained
     had the continuing and discontinuing operations been operating
     independently.  Summarized results of the Victory Refrigeration
     Company for the quarter ended March 30, 1996 are as follows:
     
          (In Thousands)                March 30, 1996
          --------------                --------------
     
          Net Sales                          $9,036
          Operating Income                      121
          (Loss) Earnings Before Taxes         (120)
          Provision for Taxes                   (40)
          ------------------------------------------
          (Loss) Earnings from
               Discontinued Operations          (80)
                                                ----
                                                ----
     
     Interest expense of $241,000 for the first quarter of 1996 has been
     allocated based upon the ratio of the net assets of the discontinued
     operations to the consolidated capitalization of the Company. 
     Continuing operations and discontinued operations reflect the net tax
     expense or tax benefit generated by the respective operations,
     limited, however, by the income tax benefit recognized in the
     Company's historical financial statements.  No general corporate
     expenses have been allocated to the discontinued operations.
     
     The net assets of discontinued operations included in the Consolidated
     Balance Sheets at March 29, 1997 and December 28, 1996 amounted to
     $2,291,000 and $4,082,000, respectively.  The March 29, 1997 amount
     represents the remaining amount due from the buyers.  The December 30,
     1996 amount consists primarily of receivables, inventory and equipment
     related to the discontinued operations, net of accounts payable,
     accrued liabilities and closing costs associated with the sale.
     
     
3)   INCOME TAXES

     The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with  Statement of
     Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 ("SFAS 109"), Accounting for
     Income Taxes.

     The Company has recorded an income tax provision of $689,000 for the
     fiscal three months ended March 29, 1997.  The Company has significant
     tax loss carry-forwards, and although a tax provision is recorded, the
     Company makes no payment of federal tax other than AMT amounts.

                                       - 5 -



     The utilization of the net operating loss and credit carry-forwards
     depend on future taxable income during the applicable carry-forward
     periods.  Management evaluates and adjusts the valuation allowance,
     based on the Company's expected taxable income as part of the annual
     budgeting process.  These adjustments reflect management's judgment as
     to the Company's ability to generate taxable income which will, more
     likely than not, be sufficient to recognize these tax assets. 


4)   EARNINGS PER SHARE

     Earnings per share of common stock are based upon the weighted average
     number of outstanding shares of common stock and common stock
     equivalents.  The treasury stock method is used in computing common
     stock equivalents, which included stock options and a warrant issued
     in conjunction with the senior secured note. The terms of the warrant
     provide for the purchase of 250,000 shares at $3 per share. 
     Alternatively,  under certain conditions, which have been met, the
     warrant terms provide for the purchase of 200,000 shares at $.01 per
     share.  Earnings per share were computed based upon the weighted
     average number of common shares outstanding of 8,723,000 and 8,700,000
     for the fiscal quarters ended March 29, 1997 and March 30, 1996,
     respectively.
     
     The Company is required to adopt "FAS 128: Earnings Per Share" during
     the fourth quarter of 1997.  Under this method, average shares
     outstanding would have been 8,470,000 and 8,397,000 for the fiscal
     quarters ended March 29, 1997 and March 30, 1996, respectively.  The
     adoption of this accounting method would not affect earnings per share
     for the quarters ended March 29, 1997 and March 30, 1996.


5)   INVENTORIES

     Inventories are valued using the first-in, first-out method.

     Inventories consist of the following:

                                            (In Thousands)
                                    March 29, 1997    Dec. 28, 1996
                                    --------------    -------------

Raw Materials and Parts                $ 6,018           $ 6,492
Work-in-Process                          3,843             4,621
Finished Goods                          14,136             9,843
                                       -------           -------
                                       $23,997           $20,956
                                       -------           -------
                                       -------           -------


                                     - 6 -


6)   ACCRUED EXPENSES

     Accrued expenses consist of the following:

                                            (In Thousands)
                                   March 29, 1997     Dec. 28, 1996
                                   --------------     -------------

     Accrued payroll and
       related expenses.........       $2,930             $ 3,567
     Accrued commissions........        1,405               1,392
     Accrued warranty...........        1,277               1,252 
     Other accrued expenses.....        4,163               3,790
                                       ------             -------
                                       $9,775             $10,001
                                       ------             -------
                                       ------             -------

7)   RECLASSIFICATIONS AND RESTATEMENT

     Sale of Discontinued Operations:
     The financial statements exclude Victory Refrigeration Company
     which has been accounted for as a discontinued operation (see
     Note 2 to the Financial Statements).
     
     Litigation Settlement Accounting:
     During 1996, the Company restated its accounting for the proceeds
     from the September, 1993 litigation settlement with the Hussmann
     Corporation in accordance with generally accepted accounting
     principles (GAAP).  The effect of this accounting change was to
     record a greater gain from the litigation settlement.  Certain
     assets related to the 1989 acquisition that were written-off as a
     result of the Company's original accounting for the settlement in
     1993, were restored in the historical financial statements or
     written-off in periods prior to 1993.  The effect on the
     financial statements for the periods ended March 29, 1997 and March
     30, 1996 was to increase non-cash amortization charges by $49,000 or
     $.01 per share and $69,000, or $.01 per share, respectively.



                                        - 7 -



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


INFORMATIONAL NOTE

This report contains forward-looking statements subject to the safe
harbor created by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995.  The Company cautions readers that these statements are based
upon future results or events and are highly dependent upon a variety
of important factors which could cause such results or events to
differ materially from such statements.  Such factors include, but are
not limited to, changing market conditions; the availability and cost
of raw materials; the impact of competitive products and pricing; the
timely development and market acceptance of the Company's products;
foreign exchange risks affecting international sales; and other risks
detailed herein and from time-to-time in the Company's Securities and
Exchange commission filings.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net sales for the fiscal quarter ended March 29, 1997 were $32,698,000,
an increase of $3,188,000 (10.8%) as compared to $29,510,000 in the
prior fiscal quarter.  The increase was primarily driven by strong
conveyor oven sales which increased 18% over sales for the same period
in 1996.  The overall sales increase was largely due to unit volume
increases.  Cooking and warming equipment manufacturing divisions
showed a sales increase of 14%. Sales in the core cooking and steaming
equipment line increased 3% in the quarter.  Sales of the Company's
international-based fabricated equipment division increased by 28%. 
International sales represented 35% of total sales for the quarter as
compared to 38% in the 1996 fiscal first quarter.

Gross margin increased $1,907,000 (22.3%) for the quarter to
$10,474,000, as compared to $8,567,000 in the prior year's quarter. 
As a percentage of net sales, gross margin increased 3.0% to 32% for
the quarter from 29.0% in the prior year's quarter. The increase in
gross margin percent was primarily due to higher capacity utilization,
improved manufacturing efficiencies and favorable product mix. 

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1,077,000
(17.2%) to $7,356,000 as compared to $6,279,000 in the first quarter
of 1996.  Increased selling, general and administrative  expenses were
primarily due to the continued expansion of the Company's
international sales and service capabilities, including the
establishment of sales and distribution offices in Taiwan, Mexico,
Japan and Korea during the past year, and variable costs associated
with the higher sales volume during the quarter.  As a percentage of
sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 22.5%
for the fiscal quarter ended March 29, 1997, compared to 21.3% for the
prior year's quarter.

                                    - 8 -



Interest expense and deferred financing costs for the fiscal quarter ended 
March 29, 1997 increased $24,000 (2.3%) to $1,081,000 as compared to 
$1,057,000 in the prior year fiscal quarter.  

The Company recorded net earnings from continuing operations of $1,386,000 
for the fiscal quarter ended March 29, 1997 compared to earnings from 
continuing operations of $766,000 for the prior year fiscal quarter.  The 
Company recorded net earnings of $1,386,000 for the fiscal quarter ended 
March 29, 1997 as compared to net earnings of $686,000 for the prior year 
fiscal quarter.

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND LIQUIDITY

For the three months ended March 29, 1997, net cash provided by operating 
activities before changes in assets and liabilities was $2,662,000, as 
compared to $1,727,000 for the three months ended March 30, 1996.  Net cash 
used by continuing operating activities after changes in assets and 
liabilities was $407,000 as compared to net cash used of $2,772,000 in the 
prior year's quarter.  Accounts receivable increased $2,806,000, and 
inventories increased $3,041,000.  These increases were partially offset by 
increased accounts payable and other liabilities.  The increase in accounts 
receivable was largely due to the sales increase and timing of shipments to 
certain large domestic customers.  Inventories increased due to increased 
international distribution centers and timing of orders and shipments.

During the first quarter of 1997, the Company decreased its overall outstanding
debt by $412,000 under various facilities.  During this period the Company 
increased its borrowings on its revolving credit line by $307,000, repaid 
$2,020,000 on its term loans and increased its borrowings with a foreign 
lending institution by $1,304,000 primarily to finance the Company's  
international expansion.  

The Company maintains a revolving credit facility which, as of March 29, 
1997, provided $22,617,000 of total borrowing availability.  There was 
$14,882,000 outstanding under this facility at March 29, 1997. The Company 
has executed letters of credit of $991,000 against this facility, leaving an 
available line of credit of $6,744,000 at March 29, 1997.  The Company 
believes that its cash flow from operations, together with available 
financing and cash on hand, will be sufficient to fund its working capital 
needs, capital expenditure program, and debt amortization.

                                        - 9 -


                         PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

The Company was not required to report the information pursuant to
Items 1 through 6 of Part II of Form 10-Q for the three months ended 
March 29, 1997, except as follows:

ITEM 2.  CHANGES IN SECURITIES

c)   During the first quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company issued
     3,000 shares of the Company's common stock to a director,
     pursuant to the exercise of stock options, for $5,625.  Such
     options were granted at an exercise price of $1.875 per share. 
     The issuance of such shares was exempt under the Securities Act
     of 1933, as amended, pursuant to Section 4(2) thereof, as
     transactions by an issuer not involving a public offering.
     
ITEM 6.  EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

a)   Exhibits - The following Exhibits are filed herewith:

          Exhibit (27) - Financial Data Schedules (EDGAR only)

b)   Reports on Form 8-K - On February 10, 1997, the Company filed
     a Form 8-K report to announce the completion of its sale of
     the Victory Refrigeration Company subsidiary.

    
                                        - 10 -




                              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.


                                         THE MIDDLEBY CORPORATION
                                         ------------------------
                                         (Registrant)


Date    May 13, 1997                     By: /s/ John J. Hastings 
     --------------------                   -----------------------------

                                            John J. Hastings, Executive
                                              Vice President, Chief
                                              Financial Officer and
                                              Secretary
                                              (Principal Financial and
                                              Accounting Officer)




                                        - 11 -

 


5 1,000 3-MOS JAN-03-1998 MAR-29-1997 1,685 0 22,665 0 23,997 53,659 31,280 12,221 89,804 2,805 38,051 0 0 85 23,649 89,804 32,698 32,698 22,224 22,224 7,356 0 1,081 2,075 689 1,386 0 0 0 1,386 .16 .16