content: SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                          
                               WASHINGTON, D.C. 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)
                                          
                                          
                        DECEMBER 26, 1996 (DECEMBER 13,1996)
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                 AST RESEARCH, INC.
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                      DELAWARE
                   (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
                                          
                                          
                                          
                  0-13941                   95-3525565
          (Commission File Number)(IRS Employer Identification No.)
  
  
            16215 ALTON PARKWAY
             IRVINE, CALIFORNIA               92718
  (Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)
  
                 Registrant's telephone number, including area code
                                   (714) 727-4141
  
  
  
                                   NOT APPLICABLE
           (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
                                          
  
  
  
  ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS
  On December 13, 1996, AST Research, Inc. (the "Company") signed a Second
  Additional Support Agreement with Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. ("Samsung") to
  provide certain additional financial support to the Company as consideration for
  shares of non-voting preferred stock.  The additional financial support includes
  a guaranty of a $100 million bank line of credit starting December 13, 1996, and
  a guaranty of an additional $100 million bank line of credit starting April 1,
  1997, both extending through December 31, 1998.  The additional financial
  support is in addition to the existing Samsung guaranty of a $200 million credit
  facility, provided pursuant to an Additional Support Agreement between the
  Company and Samsung, dated December 21, 1995. The Second Additional Support
  Agreement also includes a one-year extension of the guaranty provided under the
  Additional Support Agreement, which results in all guarantees expiring on
  December 31, 1998.
  
  As consideration for the support, the Company issued Samsung 500,000 shares of
  non-voting preferred stock.  The shares are not subject of mandatory redemption,
  but each share is redeemable at the Company's option for cash of $100.75 or
  13.11 shares of the Company's common stock, beginning in 1999.  The preferred
  shares carry a quarterly cumulative dividend, beginning in 1999, at the annual
  rate of $4.72 per share, with annual increases to the rate of $7.96 per share in
  the year 2004 and thereafter.
  
  On December 18, 1996 the Company completed the establishment of bank credit
  lines totaling $100 million with three banks, which represents the initial $100
  million bank credit line that is guaranteed by the Second Additional Support
  Agreement.  In addition, on December 24, 1996, the Company announced that it
  renewed its present $200 million credit line with a consortium of nine banks.
  The result is current credit facilities that provide, in the aggregate, $300
  million in credit to the Company that is guaranteed by Samsung.  The Company
  further announced that Samsung has exercised its option to purchase a first
  group of intellectual properties pursuant to the Intellectual Property
  Assignment Agreement dated June 27, 1996 for a payment of $10 million.  The
  payment is due from Samsung to the Company 45 days from the effective date of
  the agreement, which is December 17, 1996.
  
  
  
  ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
  
  Exhibit
  Number    Description
  
  99.1      Press release issued by the Registrant on December 16, 1996,
  announcing                                                  the Second
  Additional Support Agreement, extension of the Additional Support     Agreement,
  and the negotiation of a $100 million line of credit that is part of the Second
  Additional Support Agreement.
  
  99.2      Second Additional Support Agreement between AST Research Inc., and
            Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. dated December 13, 1996.
  
  99.3      Revolving line of credit agreement dated December 12, 1996 between AST
            Research and ABN AMRO Bank, N.V.
  
  99.4      Revolving line of credit agreement dated December 13, 1996 between AST
            Research and Bank of America NT&SA.
  
  99.5      Revolving line of credit agreement dated December 13, 1996 between AST
            Research and Societe General.
  
  99.6      Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated December 13, 1996 among AST
            Research, Inc., Bank of America NT & SA as agent and the other
            financial institutions party hereto.
  
  99.7      Press release issued by the Registrant on December 19, 1996,
            announcing the renewal of the Company's existing $200 million
            credit line and Samsung's exercise of its option to purchase
            intellectual properties.
  
  99.8      First Intellectual Property Option Exercise dated December 17, 1996
            between AST Research and Samsung Electronics Company Limited.
  
  
  
                                     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.
  
  
                                      AST Research, Inc.
                           _______________________________________
                                         (Registrant)
  
  
  
  
                                By
                                  Won S. Yang
                                  Senior Vice President
                                  and Chief Financial Officer (Acting)
  
  
  Date:     December 26, 1996
  
  
  ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS
  On December 13, 1996, AST Research, Inc. (the "Company") signed a Second
  Additional Support Agreement with Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. ("Samsung") to
  provide certain additional financial support to the Company as consideration for
  shares of non-voting preferred stock.  The additional financial support includes
  a guaranty of a $100 million bank line of credit starting December 13, 1996, and
  a guaranty of an additional $100 million bank line of credit starting April 1,
  1997, both extending through December 31, 1998.  The additional financial
  support is in addition to the existing Samsung guaranty of a $200 million credit
  facility, provided pursuant to an Additional Support Agreement between the
  Company and Samsung, dated December 21, 1995. The Second Additional Support
  Agreement also includes a one-year extension of the guaranty provided under the
  Additional Support Agreement, which results in all guarantees expiring on
  December 31, 1998.
  
  As consideration for the support, the Company issued Samsung 500,000 shares of
  non-voting preferred stock.  The shares are not subject of mandatory redemption,
  but each share is redeemable at the Company's option for cash of $100.75 or
  13.11 shares of the Company's common stock, beginning in 1999.  The preferred
  shares carry a quarterly cumulative dividend, beginning in 1999, at the annual
  rate of $4.72 per share, with annual increases to the rate of $7.96 per share in
  the year 2004 and thereafter.
  
  On December 18, 1996 the Company completed the establishment of bank credit
  lines totaling $100 million with three banks, which represents the initial $100
  million bank credit line that is guaranteed by the Second Additional Support
  Agreement.  In addition, on December 24, 1996, the Company announced that it
  renewed its present $200 million credit line with a consortium of nine banks.
  The result is current credit facilities that provide, in the aggregate, $300
  million in credit to the Company that is guaranteed by Samsung.  The Company
  further announced that Samsung has exercised its option to purchase a first
  group of intellectual properties pursuant to the Intellectual Property
  Assignment Agreement dated June 27, 1996 for a payment of $10 million.  The
  payment is due from Samsung to the Company 45 days from the effective date of
  the agreement, which is December 17, 1996.
  
  
  
  ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
  
  Exhibit
  Number    Description
  
  99.1      Press release issued by the Registrant on December 16, 1996,
            announcing the Second Additional Support Agreement, extension of
            the Additional Support Agreement, and the negotiation of a $100
            million line of credit that is part of the Second Additional
            Support Agreement.
  
  99.2      Second Additional Support Agreement between AST Research Inc., and
            Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. dated December 13, 1996.
  
  99.3      Revolving line of credit agreement dated December 12, 1996 between AST
            Research and ABN AMRO Bank, N.V.
  
  99.4      Revolving line of credit agreement dated December 13, 1996 between AST
            Research and Bank of America NT&SA.
  
  99.5      Revolving line of credit agreement dated December 13, 1996 between AST
            Research and Societe General.
  
  99.6      Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated December 13, 1996 among AST
            Research, Inc., Bank of America NT & SA as agent and the other
            financial institutions party hereto.
  
  99.7      Press release issued by the Registrant on December 19, 1996,
            announcing the renewal of the Company's existing $200 million
            credit line and Samsung's exercise of its option to purchase 
            intellectual properties.
  
  99.8      First Intellectual Property Option Exercise dated December 17, 1996
            between AST Research and Samsung Electronics Company Limited.
  
  
  
                                     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.
  
  
                                      AST Research, Inc.
                           _______________________________________
                                         (Registrant)
  
  
  
                                By /s/ WON S. YANG
                                   Won S. Yang
                                   Senior Vice President
                                  and Chief Financial Officer (Acting)
  
  
  Date:     December 26, 1996
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text: SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                          
                               WASHINGTON, D.C. 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)
                                          
                                          
                        DECEMBER 26, 1996 (DECEMBER 13,1996)
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                 AST RESEARCH, INC.
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  
                                          
                                          
                                          
                                      DELAWARE
                   (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
                                          
                                          
                                          
                  0-13941                   95-3525565
          (Commission File Number)(IRS Employer Identification No.)
  
            16215 ALTON PARKWAY
             IRVINE, CALIFORNIA               92718
  (Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)
  
                 Registrant's telephone number, including area code
                                   (714) 727-4141
  
                                   NOT APPLICABLE
           (Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
                                          
  
  ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS
  On December 13, 1996, AST Research, Inc. (the "Company") signed a Second
  Additional Support Agreement with Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. ("Samsung") to
  provide certain additional financial support to the Company as consideration for
  shares of non-voting preferred stock.  The additional financial support includes
  a guaranty of a $100 million bank line of credit starting December 13, 1996, and
  a guaranty of an additional $100 million bank line of credit starting April 1,
  1997, both extending through December 31, 1998.  The additional financial
  support is in addition to the existing Samsung guaranty of a $200 million credit
  facility, provided pursuant to an Additional Support Agreement between the
  Company and Samsung, dated December 21, 1995. The Second Additional Support
  Agreement also includes a one-year extension of the guaranty provided under the
  Additional Support Agreement, which results in all guarantees expiring on
  December 31, 1998.
  
  As consideration for the support, the Company issued Samsung 500,000 shares of
  non-voting preferred stock.  The shares are not subject of mandatory redemption,
  but each share is redeemable at the Company's option for cash of $100.75 or
  13.11 shares of the Company's common stock, beginning in 1999.  The preferred
  shares carry a quarterly cumulative dividend, beginning in 1999, at the annual
  rate of $4.72 per share, with annual increases to the rate of $7.96 per share in
  the year 2004 and thereafter.
  
  On December 18, 1996 the Company completed the establishment of bank credit
  lines totaling $100 million with three banks, which represents the initial $100
  million bank credit line that is guaranteed by the Second Additional Support
  Agreement.  In addition, on December 24, 1996, the Company announced that it
  renewed its present $200 million credit line with a consortium of nine banks.
  The result is current credit facilities that provide, in the aggregate, $300
  million in credit to the Company that is guaranteed by Samsung.  The Company
  further announced that Samsung has exercised its option to purchase a first
  group of intellectual properties pursuant to the Intellectual Property
  Assignment Agreement dated June 27, 1996 for a payment of $10 million.  The
  payment is due from Samsung to the Company 45 days from the effective date of
  the agreement, which is December 17, 1996.
  
  ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
  
  Exhibit
  Number    Description
  
  99.1      Press release issued by the Registrant on December 16, 1996,
  announcing                                                  the Second
  Additional Support Agreement, extension of the Additional Support     Agreement,
  and the negotiation of a $100 million line of credit that is part of the Second
  Additional Support Agreement.
  
  99.2      Second Additional Support Agreement between AST Research Inc., and
            Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. dated December 13, 1996.
  
  99.3      Revolving line of credit agreement dated December 12, 1996 between AST
            Research and ABN AMRO Bank, N.V.
  
  99.4      Revolving line of credit agreement dated December 13, 1996 between AST
            Research and Bank of America NT&SA.
  
  99.5      Revolving line of credit agreement dated December 13, 1996 between AST
            Research and Societe General.
  
  99.6      Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated December 13, 1996 among AST
            Research, Inc., Bank of America NT & SA as agent and the other
            financial institutions party hereto.
  
  99.7      Press release issued by the Registrant on December 19, 1996,
            announcing the renewal of the Company's existing $200 million
            credit line and Samsung's exercise of its option to purchase
            intellectual properties.
  
  99.8      First Intellectual Property Option Exercise dated December 17, 1996
            between AST Research and Samsung Electronics Company Limited.
  
                                     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.
  
                                      AST Research, Inc.
                           _______________________________________
                                         (Registrant)
  
                                By
                                  Won S. Yang
                                  Senior Vice President
                                  and Chief Financial Officer (Acting)
  
  Date:     December 26, 1996
  
  ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS
  On December 13, 1996, AST Research, Inc. (the "Company") signed a Second
  Additional Support Agreement with Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. ("Samsung") to
  provide certain additional financial support to the Company as consideration for
  shares of non-voting preferred stock.  The additional financial support includes
  a guaranty of a $100 million bank line of credit starting December 13, 1996, and
  a guaranty of an additional $100 million bank line of credit starting April 1,
  1997, both extending through December 31, 1998.  The additional financial
  support is in addition to the existing Samsung guaranty of a $200 million credit
  facility, provided pursuant to an Additional Support Agreement between the
  Company and Samsung, dated December 21, 1995. The Second Additional Support
  Agreement also includes a one-year extension of the guaranty provided under the
  Additional Support Agreement, which results in all guarantees expiring on
  December 31, 1998.
  
  As consideration for the support, the Company issued Samsung 500,000 shares of
  non-voting preferred stock.  The shares are not subject of mandatory redemption,
  but each share is redeemable at the Company's option for cash of $100.75 or
  13.11 shares of the Company's common stock, beginning in 1999.  The preferred
  shares carry a quarterly cumulative dividend, beginning in 1999, at the annual
  rate of $4.72 per share, with annual increases to the rate of $7.96 per share in
  the year 2004 and thereafter.
  
  On December 18, 1996 the Company completed the establishment of bank credit
  lines totaling $100 million with three banks, which represents the initial $100
  million bank credit line that is guaranteed by the Second Additional Support
  Agreement.  In addition, on December 24, 1996, the Company announced that it
  renewed its present $200 million credit line with a consortium of nine banks.
  The result is current credit facilities that provide, in the aggregate, $300
  million in credit to the Company that is guaranteed by Samsung.  The Company
  further announced that Samsung has exercised its option to purchase a first
  group of intellectual properties pursuant to the Intellectual Property
  Assignment Agreement dated June 27, 1996 for a payment of $10 million.  The
  payment is due from Samsung to the Company 45 days from the effective date of
  the agreement, which is December 17, 1996.
  
  ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS
  
  Exhibit
  Number    Description
  
  99.1      Press release issued by the Registrant on December 16, 1996,
            announcing the Second Additional Support Agreement, extension of
            the Additional Support Agreement, and the negotiation of a $100
            million line of credit that is part of the Second Additional
            Support Agreement.
  
  99.2      Second Additional Support Agreement between AST Research Inc., and
            Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. dated December 13, 1996.
  
  99.3      Revolving line of credit agreement dated December 12, 1996 between AST
            Research and ABN AMRO Bank, N.V.
  
  99.4      Revolving line of credit agreement dated December 13, 1996 between AST
            Research and Bank of America NT&SA.
  
  99.5      Revolving line of credit agreement dated December 13, 1996 between AST
            Research and Societe General.
  
  99.6      Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated December 13, 1996 among AST
            Research, Inc., Bank of America NT & SA as agent and the other
            financial institutions party hereto.
  
  99.7      Press release issued by the Registrant on December 19, 1996,
            announcing the renewal of the Company's existing $200 million
            credit line and Samsung's exercise of its option to purchase 
            intellectual properties.
  
  99.8      First Intellectual Property Option Exercise dated December 17, 1996
            between AST Research and Samsung Electronics Company Limited.
  
                                     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.
  
                                      AST Research, Inc.
                           _______________________________________
                                         (Registrant)
  
                                By /s/ WON S. YANG
                                   Won S. Yang
                                   Senior Vice President
                                  and Chief Financial Officer (Acting)
  
  Date:     December 26, 1996