<PAGE 1>

        UNITED STATES 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 reported):  March 30, 1998


                     GERBER SCIENTIFIC, INC.
                -----------------------------------
                   (Exact name of Registrant as
                    specified in its charter)


           CONNECTICUT              1-5865          06-0640743
 ------------------------------  ------------  --------------------
  (State or other jurisdiction    (Commission    (I.R.S. Employer
       of incorporation or         File No.)   Identification No.)
          organization)


 83 Gerber Road West, South Windsor, Connecticut         06074
--------------------------------------------------  ---------------
     (Address of principal executive offices)         (Zip Code)



Registrant's Telephone Number, including area       (860) 644-1551
code:                                               ---------------



                         Not applicable
                     -----------------------
  (Former name or former address, if changes since last report)

<PAGE 2>

Item 5. Other Events.

See the following press release, dated March 30, 1998, announcing
Gerber  Scientific, Inc.'s agreement to sell its  Gerber  Systems
Corporation unit to BARCO, Inc.


Contact: Gary  K.   Bennett            For Immediate Release
          (860) 648-8004                      March 30, 1998


     Gerber Scientific, Inc. to Sell Gerber Systems Unit to
                           BARCO, Inc.

South  Windsor,  CT  -  Gerber  Scientific,  Inc.  (NYSE:    GRB)
announced  today  that it has agreed to sell its  Gerber  Systems
Corporation ("Gerber Systems") unit to BARCO, Inc. ("BARCO"), the
U.S. arm of BARCO of Belgium, for an undisclosed cash payment and
royalties  on future sales of certain products.  Gerber  Systems,
based  in  South Windsor, Connecticut, manufactures  computer-to-
plate  ("CTP")  imaging  systems for the  printing  industry  and
electronic  fabrication  systems used  in  manufacturing  printed
circuit boards ("PCB").  The unit had sales of approximately  $45
million in fiscal year 1997, but had been incurring losses in the
CTP business.

George M. Gentile, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gerber
Scientific,  Inc., said, "The sale of Gerber Systems will  enable
us  to  focus additional resources and management energy  on  our
fast-growing  core businesses in the ophthalmic,  signmaking  and
specialty  graphics, and apparel and flexible  goods  industries.
Our leadership position in these industries has been enhanced  by
our acquisition of Coburn Optical, a manufacturer and distributor
of ophthalmic lens processing equipment and related supplies that
had  $74  million  in sales last year, as well  as  our  recently
commenced  tender  offer  for Spandex  PLC,  a  UK-based,  global
distributor   of  automated  signmaking  systems  and   specialty
graphics  which  had $167 million in sales in  1997.   These  two
acquisitions will dramatically expand and diversify our positions
in these rapidly growing, global industries.

"It  also is important that Gerber Systems fits well with BARCO's
Graphics   Systems  business.   To  the  quality  color  printing
industry,  the advanced CTP imaging systems developed  by  Gerber
Systems  represent  a significant breakthrough,  particularly  in
terms  of  streamlining  the pre-press phase,  where  content  is
imaged  on printing plates.  These advanced systems are  expected
to   receive  added  marketing  support  through  BARCO's   well-
established imaging equipment and software systems infrastructure
and   distribution  capability  which  extend  to  major  markets
throughout the world.  For the PCB industry, Gerber Systems'  and
BARCO's  products  are  very complementary  and  Gerber  Systems'
powerful  distribution channels will enable BARCO to  market  its
software effectively," said Mr. Gentile.

<PAGE 3>

Gerber Scientific, Inc. will record a one-time special charge  in
its  fiscal  fourth quarter ending April 30, 1998  to  cover  the
write-down  of  certain assets related to  Gerber  Systems.   The
Company  estimates this charge will be approximately $25  million
before income taxes, or $.70 per share after taxes.  BARCO  plans
to  relocate  Gerber  Systems  to a nearby  facility  and  retain
approximately  80 percent (159) of the unit's employees.   Gerber
Scientific, Inc. will retain the remaining employees.

The Boards of Directors of BARCO and Gerber Scientific, Inc. have
approved  the  transaction and the companies have filed  for  the
necessary  regulatory  approvals.   It  is  expected   that   the
transaction will close within a few weeks.

Gerber    Scientific,   Inc.   (http://www.gerberscientific.com),
headquartered  in South Windsor, Connecticut, is an international
supplier  of  automated manufacturing systems for  a  variety  of
industries   including  ophthalmic,  signmaking   and   specialty
graphics, and apparel and flexible goods.

In addition to the historical information contained herein, there
are matters discussed which are considered to be "forward looking
statements."   The Private Securities Litigation  Reform  Act  of
1995  provides  a  "safe harbor" for forward-looking  statements.
These forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties,
including,   but   not   limited   to,   economic,   competitive,
governmental,  and technological factors affecting the  Company's
operations,   markets,   products,  and  services,   that   could
significantly affect results in the future.

<PAGE 4>

                           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 hereunto duly authorized.




                            GERBER SCIENTIFIC, INC.
                            ------------------------
                                  (Registrant)



Date:   March 31, 1998      By:  / s / Gary K. Bennett
        ------------------       ---------------------------------
                                 Gary K. Bennett
                                 Senior Vice President, Finance
                                 and Principal Accounting Officer
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UNITED STATES 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 reported):  March 30, 1998

                     GERBER SCIENTIFIC, INC.
                -----------------------------------
                   (Exact name of Registrant as
                    specified in its charter)

           CONNECTICUT              1-5865          06-0640743
 ------------------------------  ------------  --------------------
  (State or other jurisdiction    (Commission    (I.R.S. Employer
       of incorporation or         File No.)   Identification No.)
          organization)

 83 Gerber Road West, South Windsor, Connecticut         06074
--------------------------------------------------  ---------------
     (Address of principal executive offices)         (Zip Code)

Registrant's Telephone Number, including area       (860) 644-1551
code:                                               ---------------

                         Not applicable
                     -----------------------
  (Former name or former address, if changes since last report)
Item 5. Other Events.

See the following press release, dated March 30, 1998, announcing
Gerber  Scientific, Inc.'s agreement to sell its  Gerber  Systems
Corporation unit to BARCO, Inc.

Contact: Gary  K.   Bennett            For Immediate Release
          (860) 648-8004                      March 30, 1998

     Gerber Scientific, Inc. to Sell Gerber Systems Unit to
                           BARCO, Inc.

South  Windsor,  CT  -  Gerber  Scientific,  Inc.  (NYSE:    GRB)
announced  today  that it has agreed to sell its  Gerber  Systems
Corporation ("Gerber Systems") unit to BARCO, Inc. ("BARCO"), the
U.S. arm of BARCO of Belgium, for an undisclosed cash payment and
royalties  on future sales of certain products.  Gerber  Systems,
based  in  South Windsor, Connecticut, manufactures  computer-to-
plate  ("CTP")  imaging  systems for the  printing  industry  and
electronic  fabrication  systems used  in  manufacturing  printed
circuit boards ("PCB").  The unit had sales of approximately  $45
million in fiscal year 1997, but had been incurring losses in the
CTP business.

George M. Gentile, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Gerber
Scientific,  Inc., said, "The sale of Gerber Systems will  enable
us  to  focus additional resources and management energy  on  our
fast-growing  core businesses in the ophthalmic,  signmaking  and
specialty  graphics, and apparel and flexible  goods  industries.
Our leadership position in these industries has been enhanced  by
our acquisition of Coburn Optical, a manufacturer and distributor
of ophthalmic lens processing equipment and related supplies that
had  $74  million  in sales last year, as well  as  our  recently
commenced  tender  offer  for Spandex  PLC,  a  UK-based,  global
distributor   of  automated  signmaking  systems  and   specialty
graphics  which  had $167 million in sales in  1997.   These  two
acquisitions will dramatically expand and diversify our positions
in these rapidly growing, global industries.

"It  also is important that Gerber Systems fits well with BARCO's
Graphics   Systems  business.   To  the  quality  color  printing
industry,  the advanced CTP imaging systems developed  by  Gerber
Systems  represent  a significant breakthrough,  particularly  in
terms  of  streamlining  the pre-press phase,  where  content  is
imaged  on printing plates.  These advanced systems are  expected
to   receive  added  marketing  support  through  BARCO's   well-
established imaging equipment and software systems infrastructure
and   distribution  capability  which  extend  to  major  markets
throughout the world.  For the PCB industry, Gerber Systems'  and
BARCO's  products  are  very complementary  and  Gerber  Systems'
powerful  distribution channels will enable BARCO to  market  its
software effectively," said Mr. Gentile.
Gerber Scientific, Inc. will record a one-time special charge  in
its  fiscal  fourth quarter ending April 30, 1998  to  cover  the
write-down  of  certain assets related to  Gerber  Systems.   The
Company  estimates this charge will be approximately $25  million
before income taxes, or $.70 per share after taxes.  BARCO  plans
to  relocate  Gerber  Systems  to a nearby  facility  and  retain
approximately  80 percent (159) of the unit's employees.   Gerber
Scientific, Inc. will retain the remaining employees.

The Boards of Directors of BARCO and Gerber Scientific, Inc. have
approved  the  transaction and the companies have filed  for  the
necessary  regulatory  approvals.   It  is  expected   that   the
transaction will close within a few weeks.

Gerber    Scientific,   Inc.   (http://www.gerberscientific.com),
headquartered  in South Windsor, Connecticut, is an international
supplier  of  automated manufacturing systems for  a  variety  of
industries   including  ophthalmic,  signmaking   and   specialty
graphics, and apparel and flexible goods.

In addition to the historical information contained herein, there
are matters discussed which are considered to be "forward looking
statements."   The Private Securities Litigation  Reform  Act  of
1995  provides  a  "safe harbor" for forward-looking  statements.
These forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties,
including,   but   not   limited   to,   economic,   competitive,
governmental,  and technological factors affecting the  Company's
operations,   markets,   products,  and  services,   that   could
significantly affect results in the future.
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 hereunto duly authorized.

                            GERBER SCIENTIFIC, INC.
                            ------------------------
                                  (Registrant)

Date:   March 31, 1998      By:  / s / Gary K. Bennett
        ------------------       ---------------------------------
                                 Gary K. Bennett
                                 Senior Vice President, Finance
                                 and Principal Accounting Officer