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                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                                WASHINGTON, DC 20549

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

                                      FORM 8-K

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

Date of Report (date of earliest event)      August 26, 1997
                                       ----------------------------------------

                                 HARSCO CORPORATION
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          Delaware                   1-3970                 23-1483991
- ----------------------------      ------------     ----------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction       (Commission           (I.R.S. Employer
      of incorporation)           File Number)            Identification
                                                              Number)

         Camp Hill, Pennsylvania                            17001-8888
- ----------------------------------------                    ----------
(Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:       (717) 763-7064
                                                    ---------------------------


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ITEM 5.   Other Events.

On August 26, Harsco Corporation, FMC Corporation and The Carlyle Group
announced the signing of a definitive agreement for the sale of United Defense,
L.P. to The Carlyle Group for $850 million.

FMC is the managing general partner and 60% owner of United Defense, L.P. Harsco
owns the balance of 40%. United Defense supplies ground combat and naval weapons
systems for the U.S. and military customers around the world. United Defense had
1996 sales of $1 billion.

Included among the assets and liabilities which will be retained by Harsco in
the transaction are the matters described in Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements, "Commitments and Contingencies" as filed under Form 10-Q for the
period ended June 30,1997.

The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of Harsco
Corporation and FMC and is expected to be completed within 90 days.









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HARSCO CORPORATION FORM 8-K


Item 7(c) Exhibits

Exhibit Document Number Pages - ------- -------- 99 Press release of the Company 1-2 dated August 26, 1997.
Page 3 of 4 4 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. HARSCO CORPORATION ------------------ (Registrant) Date: September 3, 1997 By: /s/ Leonard A. Campanaro ----------------- ------------------------ Leonard A. Campanaro Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Page 4 of 4 5 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit No. Description 99 Press release of the Company dated August 26, 1997.
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                     [HARSCO CORPORATION NEWS LETTERHEAD]

Contact: Kenneth Julian (Media)         Eugene Truett (Analysts)
         (717) 730-3683                 (717) 975-5677
         info@harsco.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- ---------------------

                HARSCO, FMC SIGN DEFINITIVE AGREEMENT TO SELL
                  UNITED DEFENSE, L.P. TO THE CARLYLE GROUP

        CAMP HILL, PA (August 26, 1997) . . . Harsco Corporation, FMC
Corporation and The Carlyle Group today announced the signing of a definitive
agreement for the sale of United Defense, L.P. to The Carlyle Group for $850
million.

        FMC is the managing general partner and 60% owner of United Defense,
L.P. Harsco owns the balance of 40%. United Defense supplies ground combat and
naval weapons systems for the U.S. and military customers around the world.
United Defense had 1996 sales of $1 billion.

        The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of Harsco
Corporation and FMC and is expected to be completed within 90 days.

        According to Harsco Chairman, President and CEO, Derek C. Hathaway,
Harsco signaled its longer-term strategy to exit the defense business by
surrendering control of the partnership to FMC in 1994.

        Hathaway noted that, "Some months ago, FMC made Harsco aware of its
ongoing exploration of the possible sale of FMC's 60% interest in the
partnership. Our prenuptial agreement with FMC contemplated this possibility
and along with numerous other options it was anticipated in the original
contractual arrangements between the Partners. Having fully supported FMC's
divestiture initiative, Harsco is now exercising its "tag along rights."

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        Hathaway further noted that, "The sale of our defense interests is
another objective accomplished in our ongoing restructuring of Harsco, and I am
confident that our immediate plans will ensure continuing uninterrupted growth.

        It has been an enjoyable and fruitful relationship with FMC, our UDLP
colleagues and employees, and we wish them and The Carlyle Group great future
success."

        Harsco Corporation (NYSE: HSC) is a diversified $1.6 billion, Fortune
1000 industrial services and products company with over 14,000 employees and
operations at more than 175 major locations in 30 countries. Harsco's eight
divisions are industry leaders in providing Metal Reclamation and Mill Services
for metals producers, Infrastructure and Construction services and products,
and Process Industry Products.

        Other Harsco announcements are available free of charge through
Harsco's Internet web site at www.harsco.com or by Fax at (800) 758-5804,
extension 396725.

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