<PAGE>   1
          As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 18, 1999
                                                   Registration No. 333-________
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      Under
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                              --------------------

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


           DELAWARE                                          94-2770690
   (State of Incorporation)                               (I.R.S. Employer
                                                         Identification No.)

                              345 Los Coches Street
                           Milpitas, California 95035
          (Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

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

                          Employee Stock Purchase Plan
                            (Full title of the plan)
                    -----------------------------------------

                                Cyril J. Yansouni

                             Chief Executive Officer
                              READ-RITE CORPORATION
                              345 Los Coches Street
                           Milpitas, California 95035
                                 (408) 262-6700
            (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

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

                                   Copies to:

                             Francis S. Currie, Esq.
                     WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI, P.C.
                               650 Page Mill Road
                        Palo Alto, California 94304-1050

================================================================================

<PAGE>   2

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
---------------------------- -------------- ------------------- ------------------ ------------
Title of Securities          Amount to be    Proposed Maximum    Proposed Maximum   Amount of
to be Registered              Registered    Offering Price Per      Aggregate      Registration
                                                 Share (1)      Offering Price (1)     Fee
---------------------------- -------------- ------------------- ------------------ ------------
<S>                          <C>            <C>                 <C>                <C>
Shares of Common Stock to be  2,000,000           $7.3313          $14,662,500      $4,076.18
issues under Employee Stock
Purchase Plan
---------------------------- -------------- ------------------- ------------------ ------------
</TABLE>

(1) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), whereby the per share price was determined by
reference to 85% of the average between the high and low price reported by the
Nasdaq National Market on March 16, 1999.



                                       2
<PAGE>   3

                       REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

                                     PART II

                 INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

     The following documents and information previously filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") by Read-Rite Corporation
(the "Company") are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement:

     (a)  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1998, filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").

     (b)  The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter
ended December 31, 1998, filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act.

     (c)  The description of the Company's common stock which is contained in
the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on
September 6, 1991 pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, including any
amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating any such description.

     (d)  The description of the Company's Series A participating preferred
stock ("Series A Preferred Stock") which is contained in the Company's
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on March 6, 1997
pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report
filed for the purpose of updating any such description.

     All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment which indicates that all securities registered have been sold or which
deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof
from the date of filing of such documents.


ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES - SECURITIES TO BE PURCHASED.

     In March 1997 the Board of Directors approved a Preferred Shares Rights
Agreement and declared a dividend distribution of one Preferred Share Purchase
Right (the "Rights") for each share of its Common Stock outstanding on March 17,
1997 and each share of its Common Stock issued thereafter (subject to certain
limitations). Currently, the Rights trade with shares of Common Stock and, when
the Rights become exercisable, each Right will entitle the stockholder to buy
1/1000th of a share of the Company's Series A Preferred Stock at an exercise
price of $150.00. Each such 1/1000th of a share of Series A Preferred Stock has
rights and preferences substantially identical to those of 1 share of the
Company's Common Stock. The Rights will become exercisable and will trade
separately from the Common Stock (unless postponed by action of the
disinterested directors) on the earlier of (i) ten days following a public
announcement that a person or group has acquired, or obtained the right to
acquire, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding Common Stock or
(ii) ten business days following the commencement or announcement of a tender
offer or exchange offer which, if consummated, would result in the beneficial
ownership by a person or group of 20% or more of the Company's outstanding
Common Stock. If any person or a group acquires 20% or more of the Company's
Common Stock without approval of the Company's Board of Directors, each Right
not held by the acquiring person would entitle its holder to purchase $300.00
worth of the Company's Common Stock for $150.00. If, after any person or group
acquires 20% or more of the Company's Common Stock without the approval of the
Board of Directors, the Company is acquired in a merger or other business
combination transaction, each Right not held by the acquiring person would
entitle its holder to purchase $300.00 worth of the common stock of the
acquiring company for $150.00. Under certain conditions, the Company may elect
to redeem the Rights for $0.001 per Right or to cause the exchange of each Right
not held by the acquiring person for one share of the Company's Common Stock.
Additionally, the exercise price, number of Rights, and number of shares of
Common Stock that may be acquired for that price are subject to adjustment from
time to time 



                                       3
<PAGE>   4

to prevent dilution. The Rights expire on March 17, 2007 unless previously
exchanged or redeemed as described above, or terminated in connection with the
acquisition of the Company by consolidation or merger approved by the Board of
Directors and satisfying certain conditions.

ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

     Not Applicable.

ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

     The Company's Certificate of Incorporation limits, to the maximum extent
permitted by Delaware law, the personal liability of directors for monetary
damages for their conduct as a director. The Company's Bylaws provide that the
Company shall indemnify its officers and directors and may indemnify its
employees and other agents to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Bylaws
authorize the use of indemnification agreements and the Company has entered into
such agreements with each of its directors and executive officers.

     Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("Delaware Law")
provides that a corporation may indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent
made a party to an action by reason of the fact that he was a director, officer,
employee or agent of the corporation or was serving at the request of the
corporation against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with such action if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the
corporation and with respect to any criminal action, had no reasonable cause to
believe his conduct was unlawful. The Company also maintains a policy of
director and officer liability insurance which covers certain matters, including
matters arising under the Securities Act.

     Delaware Law does not permit a corporation to eliminate a director's duty
of care, and the provisions of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation have
no effect on the availability of equitable remedies such as injunction or
rescission, based upon a director's breach of the duty of care. Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Exchange Act may be permitted
to the foregoing provisions and agreements, the Company has been informed that
in the opinion of the staff of the Commission such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Exchange Act and is therefore unenforceable.

ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

     Not applicable.

ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Exhibit
         Number                Description
        -------                -----------
<S>                 <C>
           4.1      Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended

           5.1      Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.

          23.1      Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors

          23.2      Consent of Counsel (See Exhibit 5.1)

          24.1      Power of Attorney (see page 6).
</TABLE>



                                       4
<PAGE>   5

ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.

     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

     (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to include any material
information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in
the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the
Registration Statement.

     (2)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

     (3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.

     (4)  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

     (5)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission, such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Exchange Act and
is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Exchange Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.



                                       5
<PAGE>   6

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Milpitas, State of California, on this 17th day of
March 1999.

                                        READ-RITE CORPORATION


                                        By: /s/ Cyril J. Yansouni
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Cyril J. Yansouni
                                            Chairman of the Board of Directors
                                            and Chief Executive Officer


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Cyril J. Yansouni and John
Kurtzweil, and each of them acting individually, as his or her attorney-in-fact,
each with full power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities,
to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement on Form S-8, and
to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or any substitute, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed on March 17, 1999 by the following
persons in the capacities indicated:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Signature                                    Title
         ---------                                    -----
<S>                                  <C>
     /s/ Cyril J. Yansouni           Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of
-------------------------------      Director
       Cyril J. Yansouni


     /s/ John T. Kurtzweil           Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
-------------------------------
       John T. Kurtzweil


      /s/ John G. Linvill            Director
-------------------------------
        John G. Linvill


     /s/ William J. Almon            Director
-------------------------------
       William J. Almon


   /s/ Michael L. Hackworth          Director
-------------------------------
     Michael L. Hackworth 


    /s/ Matthew J. O'Rourke          Director
-------------------------------
      Matthew J. O'Rourke
</TABLE>



                                       6
<PAGE>   7

                              READ-RITE CORPORATION

                       REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Exhibit
         Number                Description
        -------                -----------
<S>                 <C>
           4.1      Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended

           5.1      Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.

          23.1      Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors

          23.2      Consent of Counsel (See Exhibit 5.1)

          24.1      Power of Attorney (see page 6).
</TABLE>



                                       7
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 16916}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "READ RITE CORP /DE/", "cik": "0000819480", "assigned-sic": "3679", "irs-number": "942770690", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "0930"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-74645", "film-number": "99568078"}, "business-address": {"street1": "345 LOS COCHES ST", "city": "MILPITAS", "state": "CA", "zip": "95035", "phone": "4082626700"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "345 LOS COCHES STREET", "city": "MILPITAS", "state": "CA", "zip": "95035"}}
1
          As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 18, 1999
                                                   Registration No. 333-________
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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

                                    FORM S-8
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      Under
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                              --------------------

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

           DELAWARE                                          94-2770690
   (State of Incorporation)                               (I.R.S. Employer
                                                         Identification No.)

                              345 Los Coches Street
                           Milpitas, California 95035
          (Address of Principal Executive Offices, including Zip Code)

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

                          Employee Stock Purchase Plan
                            (Full title of the plan)
                    -----------------------------------------

                                Cyril J. Yansouni

                             Chief Executive Officer
                              READ-RITE CORPORATION
                              345 Los Coches Street
                           Milpitas, California 95035
                                 (408) 262-6700
            (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

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

                                   Copies to:

                             Francis S. Currie, Esq.
                     WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI, P.C.
                               650 Page Mill Road
                        Palo Alto, California 94304-1050

================================================================================
2

                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
---------------------------- -------------- ------------------- ------------------ ------------
Title of Securities          Amount to be    Proposed Maximum    Proposed Maximum   Amount of
to be Registered              Registered    Offering Price Per      Aggregate      Registration
                                                 Share (1)      Offering Price (1)     Fee
---------------------------- -------------- ------------------- ------------------ ------------
Shares of Common Stock to be  2,000,000           $7.3313          $14,662,500      $4,076.18
issues under Employee Stock
Purchase Plan
---------------------------- -------------- ------------------- ------------------ ------------
(1) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), whereby the per share price was determined by
reference to 85% of the average between the high and low price reported by the
Nasdaq National Market on March 16, 1999.

                                       2
3

                       REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

                                     PART II

                 INFORMATION REQUIRED IN REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

     The following documents and information previously filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") by Read-Rite Corporation
(the "Company") are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement:

     (a)  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1998, filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act").

     (b)  The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter
ended December 31, 1998, filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act.

     (c)  The description of the Company's common stock which is contained in
the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on
September 6, 1991 pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, including any
amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating any such description.

     (d)  The description of the Company's Series A participating preferred
stock ("Series A Preferred Stock") which is contained in the Company's
Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on March 6, 1997
pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, including any amendment or report
filed for the purpose of updating any such description.

     All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment which indicates that all securities registered have been sold or which
deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement and to be part hereof
from the date of filing of such documents.

ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES - SECURITIES TO BE PURCHASED.

     In March 1997 the Board of Directors approved a Preferred Shares Rights
Agreement and declared a dividend distribution of one Preferred Share Purchase
Right (the "Rights") for each share of its Common Stock outstanding on March 17,
1997 and each share of its Common Stock issued thereafter (subject to certain
limitations). Currently, the Rights trade with shares of Common Stock and, when
the Rights become exercisable, each Right will entitle the stockholder to buy
1/1000th of a share of the Company's Series A Preferred Stock at an exercise
price of $150.00. Each such 1/1000th of a share of Series A Preferred Stock has
rights and preferences substantially identical to those of 1 share of the
Company's Common Stock. The Rights will become exercisable and will trade
separately from the Common Stock (unless postponed by action of the
disinterested directors) on the earlier of (i) ten days following a public
announcement that a person or group has acquired, or obtained the right to
acquire, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding Common Stock or
(ii) ten business days following the commencement or announcement of a tender
offer or exchange offer which, if consummated, would result in the beneficial
ownership by a person or group of 20% or more of the Company's outstanding
Common Stock. If any person or a group acquires 20% or more of the Company's
Common Stock without approval of the Company's Board of Directors, each Right
not held by the acquiring person would entitle its holder to purchase $300.00
worth of the Company's Common Stock for $150.00. If, after any person or group
acquires 20% or more of the Company's Common Stock without the approval of the
Board of Directors, the Company is acquired in a merger or other business
combination transaction, each Right not held by the acquiring person would
entitle its holder to purchase $300.00 worth of the common stock of the
acquiring company for $150.00. Under certain conditions, the Company may elect
to redeem the Rights for $0.001 per Right or to cause the exchange of each Right
not held by the acquiring person for one share of the Company's Common Stock.
Additionally, the exercise price, number of Rights, and number of shares of
Common Stock that may be acquired for that price are subject to adjustment from
time to time 

                                       3
4

to prevent dilution. The Rights expire on March 17, 2007 unless previously
exchanged or redeemed as described above, or terminated in connection with the
acquisition of the Company by consolidation or merger approved by the Board of
Directors and satisfying certain conditions.

ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

     Not Applicable.

ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

     The Company's Certificate of Incorporation limits, to the maximum extent
permitted by Delaware law, the personal liability of directors for monetary
damages for their conduct as a director. The Company's Bylaws provide that the
Company shall indemnify its officers and directors and may indemnify its
employees and other agents to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Bylaws
authorize the use of indemnification agreements and the Company has entered into
such agreements with each of its directors and executive officers.

     Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("Delaware Law")
provides that a corporation may indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent
made a party to an action by reason of the fact that he was a director, officer,
employee or agent of the corporation or was serving at the request of the
corporation against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him in
connection with such action if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the
corporation and with respect to any criminal action, had no reasonable cause to
believe his conduct was unlawful. The Company also maintains a policy of
director and officer liability insurance which covers certain matters, including
matters arising under the Securities Act.

     Delaware Law does not permit a corporation to eliminate a director's duty
of care, and the provisions of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation have
no effect on the availability of equitable remedies such as injunction or
rescission, based upon a director's breach of the duty of care. Insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Exchange Act may be permitted
to the foregoing provisions and agreements, the Company has been informed that
in the opinion of the staff of the Commission such indemnification is against
public policy as expressed in the Exchange Act and is therefore unenforceable.

ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

     Not applicable.

ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.
Exhibit
         Number                Description
        -------                -----------
4.1      Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended

           5.1      Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.

          23.1      Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors

          23.2      Consent of Counsel (See Exhibit 5.1)

          24.1      Power of Attorney (see page 6).
4
5

ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.

     The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

     (1)  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement to include any material
information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in
the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the
Registration Statement.

     (2)  That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

     (3)  To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.

     (4)  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

     (5)  Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons
of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Commission, such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Exchange Act and
is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Exchange Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.

                                       5
6

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Milpitas, State of California, on this 17th day of
March 1999.

                                        READ-RITE CORPORATION

                                        By: /s/ Cyril J. Yansouni
                                            ------------------------------------
                                            Cyril J. Yansouni
                                            Chairman of the Board of Directors
                                            and Chief Executive Officer

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Cyril J. Yansouni and John
Kurtzweil, and each of them acting individually, as his or her attorney-in-fact,
each with full power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities,
to sign any and all amendments to this Registration Statement on Form S-8, and
to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection
therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and
confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or any substitute, may do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed on March 17, 1999 by the following
persons in the capacities indicated:
Signature                                    Title
         ---------                                    -----
/s/ Cyril J. Yansouni           Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of
-------------------------------      Director
       Cyril J. Yansouni

     /s/ John T. Kurtzweil           Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
-------------------------------
       John T. Kurtzweil

      /s/ John G. Linvill            Director
-------------------------------
        John G. Linvill

     /s/ William J. Almon            Director
-------------------------------
       William J. Almon

   /s/ Michael L. Hackworth          Director
-------------------------------
     Michael L. Hackworth 

    /s/ Matthew J. O'Rourke          Director
-------------------------------
      Matthew J. O'Rourke
6
7

                              READ-RITE CORPORATION

                       REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit
         Number                Description
        -------                -----------
4.1      Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended

           5.1      Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.

          23.1      Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors

          23.2      Consent of Counsel (See Exhibit 5.1)

          24.1      Power of Attorney (see page 6).
7