As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 4, 1997
                                                        Registration No. 33-

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

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


                          COLLINS INDUSTRIES, INC.

         (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
          Missouri                                      43-0985160
  (State or other jurisdiction of         (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   incorporation or organization)

                            421 East 30th Avenue
                          Hutchinson, Kansas 67502
             (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

            COLLINS INDUSTRIES, INC. 1997 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

                           (Full title of the Plan)

                                 Larry W. Sayre
                           Chief Financial Officer
                           Collins Industries, Inc.
                            421 East 30th Avenue
                            Hutchinson, KS 67502
 
                   (Name and address of agent for service)

                                (316) 663-5551

         (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

                                   Copy to:
                              Jennings J. Newcom
                          Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
                            One Kansas City Place
                               1200 Main Street
                      Kansas City, Missouri   64105-2118
                               (816) 474-6550

                       CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
       Title of      Amount to     Proposed        Proposed           
     Securities to       be         maximum        maximum        Amount of
     be Registered   registered    offering       aggregate     registration
                        (1)        price per    offering price     fee(3)
                                    unit(2)          (2)
     Common Stock,                                                     
     par value $.10   2,000,000       $4.51        $9,020,000       $2,733
     per share                                                   
     (1)The number of shares of common stock, $.10 par value (the "Common
     Stock"), stated above consists of the aggregate number of shares which
     may be issued pursuant to the Collins Industries, Inc. 1997 Omnibus
     Incentive Plan (the "Plan").

     (2)This calculation is made solely for the purpose of determining the
     registration fee pursuant to the provisions of Rule 457(h) under the
     Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act").  The fee is calculated
     on the basis of the average of the high and low prices per share of
     the Common Stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market as of a date (March 31,
     1997) within 5 business days prior to the filing of this Registration
     Statement.

     (3)Reflects the proposed maximum aggregate offering price multiplied by
     1/33 of 1%.

     Note:Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Act, the amount of securities
     registered under this Registration Statement shall include an
     indeterminate number of additional shares of Common Stock that may
     become issuable pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of the Plan.

     Note:In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Act, this Registration
     Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of interests to be
     offered or sold pursuant to the employee benefit plan described
     herein.


                        FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                            COLLINS INDUSTRIES, INC.

                                    PART I
           INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

     Item 1.Plan Information.

     The documents containing the information specified in Part I of
     Form S-8 which are to be delivered to participants in the Collins
     Industries, Inc. 1997 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "Plan") have
     not been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
     "Commission") pursuant to the Note to Part I of Form S-8.

     Item 2.Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual
     Information.

     Collins Industries, Inc. (the "Company" or the "Registrant")
     agrees to provide the participants in the Plan, without charge,
     upon written or oral request, the documents incorporated by
     reference in Item 3 of Part II of this Registration Statement.
     The documents incorporated by reference in Item 3 of Part II are
     incorporated by reference into the Section 10(a) prospectus.  The
     Registrant will also provide to the participants in the Plan,
     without charge, upon written or oral request, the other documents
     required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 428 under the Act,
     including the Registrant's annual report to security holders for
     its latest fiscal year, the Registrant's annual report on Form 10-K
     for its latest fiscal year and copies of all reports, proxy
     statements and other communications distributed to its security
     holders generally.


                                   PART II
             INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

     Item 3.Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

     The following documents filed by the Registrant with the
     Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
     amended (the "Exchange Act") are incorporated in and made a part
     of this Registration Statement by reference, except to the extent
     that any statement or information therein is modified, superseded
     or replaced by a statement or information contained in any
     subsequently filed document incorporated herein by reference:

     1.   The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
          ended October 31, 1996.

     2.   All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of
          the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year
          covered by the document referred to in (1) above.

     3.   The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained in
          the Form 8-A Registration Statement filed with the
          Commission pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act,
          including any amendments or reports updating such
          description.

     In addition, all documents subsequently filed by the Registrant
     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 of the securities offered hereby have been
     sold or which deregisters all such securities then remaining
     unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
     Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of
     the filing of such documents.

     Item 4.  Description of Securities.

              Not applicable.

     Item 5.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

              Not applicable.

     Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

              Article XII of the Company's Articles of Incorporation, as
     amended, provides for indemnification of directors and officers
     as follows:

     "Each director or officer, or former director or officer of
     this corporation, and his legal representatives shall
     be indemnified by the corporation against liabilities,
     expenses, counsel fees and costs reasonably incurred by
     him or his estate in connection with, or arising out of
     any action, suit, proceeding or claim in which he is
     made a party by reason of his being, or having been,
     such director or officer, and any person who, at the
     request of this corporation, served as director or
     officer of another corporation in which this
     corporation owned corporate stock, and his legal
     representatives, shall in like manner be indemnified by
     this corporation, provided that in neither case shall
     the corporation indemnify such director or officer with
     respect to any matters as to which he shall be finally
     adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding to have
     been liable for negligence or misconduct in the
     performance of his duties as such director or officer.
     The indemnification herein provided for, however, shall
     apply also in respect of any amount paid in compromise
     of such action, suit, proceeding or claim asserted
     against such director or officer (including expenses,
     counsel fees and costs reasonably incurred in
     connection therewith), provided the Board of Directors
     shall have first approved such proposed compromise
     settlement and determined that the officer or director
     involved as not guilty of negligence or misconduct; but
     in taking such action, any director involved shall not
     be qualified to vote thereon, and if for this reason a
     quorum of the board cannot be obtained to vote on such
     a matter, it shall be determined by a committee of
     three persons appointed by shareholders at a duly
     called special meeting.  In determining whether a
     director or officer is guilty of negligence or
     misconduct the Board of Directors or committee, as the
     case may be, may rely conclusively upon an opinion of
     independent legal counsel selected by such a board or
     committee.  The right to indemnification herein
     provided shall not be exclusive of any other rights to
     which such director or officer may be legally
     entitled."

     Section 351.355 of the Missouri General and Business Corporation
     Law (the "MGBCL") permits a corporation to indemnify certain
     persons, including officers and directors who are (or are
     threatened to be made) parties to any threatened, pending or
     completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
     administrative or investigative, other than an action by or in
     the right of the corporation (by reason of their being officers
     or directors).  The indemnity may include expenses, attorneys'
     fees, judgments, fines and reasonably incurred costs of
     settlement, provided the officer and director 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 or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe
     his conduct was unlawful.  The MGBCL also permits a corporation
     to indemnify officers and directors in derivative actions (in
     which suit is brought by a shareholder on behalf of the
     corporation) under the same conditions, except that no
     indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the
     officer or director is adjudged liable for negligence or
     misconduct in the performance of his duty to the corporation.  If
     the officer or director is successful on the merits or otherwise
     in defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must
     indemnify him against the expenses and attorneys' fees he
     actually and reasonably incurred.

     The Company has authorized indemnification agreements for its
     directors.  Under these agreements, the Company agrees to
     indemnify directors against any and all expenses, judgments,
     fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
     incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed
     action, suit or proceeding, including an action by or in the
     right of the Company, to which the director becomes a party or
     becomes involved in or by reason of his service to the Company.
     Indemnification is not required to be made under the agreements
     in connection with any claim against the director (a) in respect
     to remuneration paid to a director if it shall be determined by a
     final judgment or other final adjudication that such remuneration
     was in violation of law; (b) on account of any suit in which
     judgment is rendered against a director for an accounting of
     profits made from the purchase or sale by the director of
     securities of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section
     16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and amendments
     thereto or similar provisions of any federal, state or local
     statutory law; (c) on account of a director's conduct which is
     finally adjudged to have been knowingly fraudulent, deliberately
     dishonest or willful misconduct; or (d) if a final decision by a
     court having jurisdiction in the matter shall determine that such
     indemnification is not lawful.

     With respect to insurance, the MGBCL states that a corporation
     may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who
     is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
     corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
     corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
     corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
     enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and
     incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his
     status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the
     power to indemnify him against such liability under the MGBCL.

     Item 7.  Exemption from Registration Claimed.

              Not applicable.

     Item 8.  Exhibits.

       Number

        4.1    The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, filed as
               Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 2 to the Company's
               Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 2-
               93247), as amended.*

        4.2    Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company,
               filed as Exhibit 3.3 to Amendment No. 1 to the
               Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File
               No. 2-93247).*

        4.3    Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company,
               filed as Exhibit 3.3(c)  to Amendment No. 1 to the
               Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File
               No. 33-48323).*

        4.4    The Bylaws of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3.4 to the
               Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File
               No. 33-48323), as amended.*

        4.5    Collins Industries, Inc. 1997 Omnibus Incentive Plan, filed as
               an exhibit to the Company's Definitive Proxy
               Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
               held February 28, 1997.*

        5.1    Opinion of Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
 
       23.1    Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

       23.2    Consent of Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. (contained in Exhibit
               5.1)

       24.1    Powers of Attorney (contained on signature pages hereto).


       *  Incorporated herein by reference.


    Item 9.  Undertakings.

      (a)    The Company hereby undertakes:

             (1)    To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
      being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

                    (i)   To include any prospectus required by Section
             10(a)(3) of the Act;

                    (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
             arising after the effective date of this Registration
             Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
             thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent
             a fundamental change in the information set forth herein or
             therein.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
             decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
             dollar value of securities  offered would not exceed that
             which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high
             end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected
             in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant
             to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume
             and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum
             aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
             Registration Fee" table in the effective registration
             statement; and

                 (iii)   To include any material information with respect to
             the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this
             Registration Statement or any material change to such
             information in this Registration Statement;

             Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do
     not apply if the information required to be included in a post-
     effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
     reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the
     Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
     Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this
     Registration Statement.

            (2)   That, for the purpose of determining any liability under
     the 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.

     (b)   The Company hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
     determining any liability under the Act, each filing of the
     Company'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 this 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.

     (c)   Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
     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 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 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
     issue.

                            SIGNATURES


           THE REGISTRANT.  Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, 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 Hutchinson, State of Kansas, on April 4, 1997.

                                      COLLINS INDUSTRIES, INC.


                                      By:     /s/ Larry W. Sayre
                                      Name:   Larry W. Sayre
                                      Title:  Vice President Finance and
                                              Chief Financial Officer
                                              (Principal Accounting Officer)


                            POWER OF ATTORNEY


         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
     appears below constitutes and appoints Larry W. Sayre his or her
     true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of
     substitution and resubstitution, for them and in their name,
     place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all
     amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
     Registration Statement and to file the same with all exhibits
     thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-
     in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each
     and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as
     fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do
     in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-
     in-fact and agent, or she substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
     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 by the following persons
     in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

          SIGNATURE                 TITLE                          DATE


     /s/ Don L. Collins      Chairman, Chief Executive Officer  April 4, 1997
         Don L. Collins      and Director

     /s/ Donald Lynn Collins President, Chief Operating         April 4, 1997
         Donald Lynn Collins Officer and Director

     /s/ Lewis W. Ediger     Vice-President, Secretary          April 4, 1997
         Lewis W. Ediger     and  Director

     /s/ Robert E. Lind      Director                           April 4, 1997
         Robert E. Lind

     /s/ Don S. Peters       Director                           April 4, 1997
         Don S. Peters

     /s/ Arch G. Gothard, III    Director                       April 4, 1997
         Arch G. Gothard, III

     /s/ Larry W. Sayre       Vice-President Finance and        April 4, 1997
         Larry W. Sayre       Chief Financial Officer
                              (principal accounting officer)


                               EXHIBIT INDEX

                                                                         Page

     4.1*    The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company,
             filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 2 to the Company's 
             Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 2-93247),
             as amended.                                                  N/A

     4.2*    Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the
             Company, filed as Exhibit3.3 to Amendment No. 1 to the
             Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
             (File No. 2-93247).                                          N/A

     4.3*    Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the 
             Company, filed as Exhibit3.3(c) to Amendment No. 1 to 
             the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
             (File No. 33-48323).                                         N/A

     4.4*    The Bylaws of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3.4 to the
             Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
             (File No. 33-48323), as amended.                             N/A

     4.5*    Collins Industries, Inc. 1997 Omnibus Incentive Plan
             Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Definitive Proxy
             Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held
             February 28, 1997.                                           N/A

     5.1     Opinion of Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.                        11

    23.1     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.                               14

    23.2     Consent of Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. (contained in
             Exhibit 5.1).                                                N/A

    24.1     Power of Attorney (contained on signature pages
             hereto).**                                                   N/A


    *   Previously Filed.

    **  Contained on signature pages to Form S-8.





                             EXHIBIT 5.1


                                                   April 4, 1997



     Collins Industries, Inc.
     421 East 30th Avenue
     Hutchinson, Kansas 67502
  
     Re:  Common Stock, $.10 Par Value

     Gentlemen:

          As counsel for Collins Industries, Inc., a Missouri corporation
     (the "Company"), we have participated in the preparation and
     filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration
     Statement") for the registration of 2,000,000 shares of common
     stock, par value $.10 per share, of the Company (the "Common
     Stock") pursuant to the Company's 1997 Omnibus Incentive Plan
     (the "Plan").

          In connection therewith, we have examined: (i) the Articles of
     Incorporation of the Company, as amended; (ii) the Bylaws of the
     Company, as amended; (iii) the Registration Statement; (iv) the
     Plan; (v) the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Directors of
     the Company at which the Directors adopted the Plan; and (vi) the
     minutes of the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company
     at which the stockholders approved the Plan.

          In addition to the examinations outlined above, we have conferred
     with various officers of the Company and have examined such other
     documents and records of the Company as we deemed necessary as a
     basis for the opinions hereafter expressed.  In such
     examinations, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures,
     the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals
     and the conformity to original documents of all documents
     submitted to us as certified copies or photocopies.

          Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Common
     Stock, when issued and paid for in accordance with and pursuant
     to the terms set forth in the Plan and the award agreements
     issued thereunder, will be legally issued, fully paid and
     nonassessable.

          We express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other
     than The General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri.  The
     opinion set forth in this letter is effective as of the date
    hereof.  No expansion of our opinion may be made by implication
    or otherwise.  We express no opinion other than as herein
    expressly set forth.  We do not undertake to advise you with
    respect to any matter within the scope of this letter which comes
    to our attention after the date of this letter and disclaim any
    responsibility to advise you of future changes of law or fact
    which may affect the above opinion.  Other than the addressee
    hereof, no one is entitled to rely on this opinion; provided,
    however, that we hereby consent to all references to the
    undersigned in the Registration Statement, and in all amendments
    thereto, and to the filing of this opinion by the Company as an
    exhibit to said Registration Statement.

                                      Very truly yours,



                                      /s/ SHOOK, HARDY & BACON L.L.P.




                              EXHIBIT 23.1


                 Consent of Independent Public Accountants

     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
     incorporation by reference in this registration statement of our
     report dated December 10, 1996 included in Collins Industries,
     Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 1996 and to all
     references to our Firm included in this registration statement.

    
                                         
                                             /S/ Arthur Andersen LLP

     Kansas City, Missouri
     April 4, 1997
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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 4, 1997
                                                        Registration No. 33-

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

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

                          COLLINS INDUSTRIES, INC.

         (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
          Missouri                                      43-0985160
  (State or other jurisdiction of         (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   incorporation or organization)

                            421 East 30th Avenue
                          Hutchinson, Kansas 67502
             (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

            COLLINS INDUSTRIES, INC. 1997 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

                           (Full title of the Plan)

                                 Larry W. Sayre
                           Chief Financial Officer
                           Collins Industries, Inc.
                            421 East 30th Avenue
                            Hutchinson, KS 67502
 
                   (Name and address of agent for service)

                                (316) 663-5551

         (Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

                                   Copy to:
                              Jennings J. Newcom
                          Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
                            One Kansas City Place
                               1200 Main Street
                      Kansas City, Missouri   64105-2118
                               (816) 474-6550

                       CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
       Title of      Amount to     Proposed        Proposed           
     Securities to       be         maximum        maximum        Amount of
     be Registered   registered    offering       aggregate     registration
                        (1)        price per    offering price     fee(3)
                                    unit(2)          (2)
     Common Stock,                                                     
     par value $.10   2,000,000       $4.51        $9,020,000       $2,733
     per share                                                   
     (1)The number of shares of common stock, $.10 par value (the "Common
     Stock"), stated above consists of the aggregate number of shares which
     may be issued pursuant to the Collins Industries, Inc. 1997 Omnibus
     Incentive Plan (the "Plan").

     (2)This calculation is made solely for the purpose of determining the
     registration fee pursuant to the provisions of Rule 457(h) under the
     Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act").  The fee is calculated
     on the basis of the average of the high and low prices per share of
     the Common Stock on the Nasdaq Stock Market as of a date (March 31,
     1997) within 5 business days prior to the filing of this Registration
     Statement.

     (3)Reflects the proposed maximum aggregate offering price multiplied by
     1/33 of 1%.

     Note:Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Act, the amount of securities
     registered under this Registration Statement shall include an
     indeterminate number of additional shares of Common Stock that may
     become issuable pursuant to the anti-dilution provisions of the Plan.

     Note:In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Act, this Registration
     Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of interests to be
     offered or sold pursuant to the employee benefit plan described
     herein.

                        FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                            COLLINS INDUSTRIES, INC.

                                    PART I
           INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS

     Item 1.Plan Information.

     The documents containing the information specified in Part I of
     Form S-8 which are to be delivered to participants in the Collins
     Industries, Inc. 1997 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the "Plan") have
     not been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
     "Commission") pursuant to the Note to Part I of Form S-8.

     Item 2.Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual
     Information.

     Collins Industries, Inc. (the "Company" or the "Registrant")
     agrees to provide the participants in the Plan, without charge,
     upon written or oral request, the documents incorporated by
     reference in Item 3 of Part II of this Registration Statement.
     The documents incorporated by reference in Item 3 of Part II are
     incorporated by reference into the Section 10(a) prospectus.  The
     Registrant will also provide to the participants in the Plan,
     without charge, upon written or oral request, the other documents
     required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 428 under the Act,
     including the Registrant's annual report to security holders for
     its latest fiscal year, the Registrant's annual report on Form 10-K
     for its latest fiscal year and copies of all reports, proxy
     statements and other communications distributed to its security
     holders generally.

                                   PART II
             INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

     Item 3.Incorporation of Documents by Reference.

     The following documents filed by the Registrant with the
     Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
     amended (the "Exchange Act") are incorporated in and made a part
     of this Registration Statement by reference, except to the extent
     that any statement or information therein is modified, superseded
     or replaced by a statement or information contained in any
     subsequently filed document incorporated herein by reference:

     1.   The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
          ended October 31, 1996.

     2.   All other reports filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of
          the Exchange Act since the end of the fiscal year
          covered by the document referred to in (1) above.

     3.   The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained in
          the Form 8-A Registration Statement filed with the
          Commission pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act,
          including any amendments or reports updating such
          description.

     In addition, all documents subsequently filed by the Registrant
     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 of the securities offered hereby have been
     sold or which deregisters all such securities then remaining
     unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
     Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of
     the filing of such documents.

     Item 4.  Description of Securities.

              Not applicable.

     Item 5.  Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.

              Not applicable.

     Item 6.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

              Article XII of the Company's Articles of Incorporation, as
     amended, provides for indemnification of directors and officers
     as follows:

     "Each director or officer, or former director or officer of
     this corporation, and his legal representatives shall
     be indemnified by the corporation against liabilities,
     expenses, counsel fees and costs reasonably incurred by
     him or his estate in connection with, or arising out of
     any action, suit, proceeding or claim in which he is
     made a party by reason of his being, or having been,
     such director or officer, and any person who, at the
     request of this corporation, served as director or
     officer of another corporation in which this
     corporation owned corporate stock, and his legal
     representatives, shall in like manner be indemnified by
     this corporation, provided that in neither case shall
     the corporation indemnify such director or officer with
     respect to any matters as to which he shall be finally
     adjudged in such action, suit or proceeding to have
     been liable for negligence or misconduct in the
     performance of his duties as such director or officer.
     The indemnification herein provided for, however, shall
     apply also in respect of any amount paid in compromise
     of such action, suit, proceeding or claim asserted
     against such director or officer (including expenses,
     counsel fees and costs reasonably incurred in
     connection therewith), provided the Board of Directors
     shall have first approved such proposed compromise
     settlement and determined that the officer or director
     involved as not guilty of negligence or misconduct; but
     in taking such action, any director involved shall not
     be qualified to vote thereon, and if for this reason a
     quorum of the board cannot be obtained to vote on such
     a matter, it shall be determined by a committee of
     three persons appointed by shareholders at a duly
     called special meeting.  In determining whether a
     director or officer is guilty of negligence or
     misconduct the Board of Directors or committee, as the
     case may be, may rely conclusively upon an opinion of
     independent legal counsel selected by such a board or
     committee.  The right to indemnification herein
     provided shall not be exclusive of any other rights to
     which such director or officer may be legally
     entitled."

     Section 351.355 of the Missouri General and Business Corporation
     Law (the "MGBCL") permits a corporation to indemnify certain
     persons, including officers and directors who are (or are
     threatened to be made) parties to any threatened, pending or
     completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
     administrative or investigative, other than an action by or in
     the right of the corporation (by reason of their being officers
     or directors).  The indemnity may include expenses, attorneys'
     fees, judgments, fines and reasonably incurred costs of
     settlement, provided the officer and director 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 or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe
     his conduct was unlawful.  The MGBCL also permits a corporation
     to indemnify officers and directors in derivative actions (in
     which suit is brought by a shareholder on behalf of the
     corporation) under the same conditions, except that no
     indemnification is permitted without judicial approval if the
     officer or director is adjudged liable for negligence or
     misconduct in the performance of his duty to the corporation.  If
     the officer or director is successful on the merits or otherwise
     in defense of any action referred to above, the corporation must
     indemnify him against the expenses and attorneys' fees he
     actually and reasonably incurred.

     The Company has authorized indemnification agreements for its
     directors.  Under these agreements, the Company agrees to
     indemnify directors against any and all expenses, judgments,
     fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
     incurred in connection with any threatened, pending or completed
     action, suit or proceeding, including an action by or in the
     right of the Company, to which the director becomes a party or
     becomes involved in or by reason of his service to the Company.
     Indemnification is not required to be made under the agreements
     in connection with any claim against the director (a) in respect
     to remuneration paid to a director if it shall be determined by a
     final judgment or other final adjudication that such remuneration
     was in violation of law; (b) on account of any suit in which
     judgment is rendered against a director for an accounting of
     profits made from the purchase or sale by the director of
     securities of the Company pursuant to the provisions of Section
     16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and amendments
     thereto or similar provisions of any federal, state or local
     statutory law; (c) on account of a director's conduct which is
     finally adjudged to have been knowingly fraudulent, deliberately
     dishonest or willful misconduct; or (d) if a final decision by a
     court having jurisdiction in the matter shall determine that such
     indemnification is not lawful.

     With respect to insurance, the MGBCL states that a corporation
     may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who
     is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
     corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
     corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
     corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
     enterprise, against any liability asserted against him and
     incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his
     status as such, whether or not the corporation would have the
     power to indemnify him against such liability under the MGBCL.

     Item 7.  Exemption from Registration Claimed.

              Not applicable.

     Item 8.  Exhibits.

       Number

        4.1    The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, filed as
               Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 2 to the Company's
               Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 2-
               93247), as amended.*

        4.2    Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company,
               filed as Exhibit 3.3 to Amendment No. 1 to the
               Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File
               No. 2-93247).*

        4.3    Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company,
               filed as Exhibit 3.3(c)  to Amendment No. 1 to the
               Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File
               No. 33-48323).*

        4.4    The Bylaws of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3.4 to the
               Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File
               No. 33-48323), as amended.*

        4.5    Collins Industries, Inc. 1997 Omnibus Incentive Plan, filed as
               an exhibit to the Company's Definitive Proxy
               Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
               held February 28, 1997.*

        5.1    Opinion of Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
 
       23.1    Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.

       23.2    Consent of Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. (contained in Exhibit
               5.1)

       24.1    Powers of Attorney (contained on signature pages hereto).

       *  Incorporated herein by reference.

    Item 9.  Undertakings.

      (a)    The Company hereby undertakes:

             (1)    To file, during any period in which offers or sales are
      being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

                    (i)   To include any prospectus required by Section
             10(a)(3) of the Act;

                    (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events
             arising after the effective date of this Registration
             Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
             thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent
             a fundamental change in the information set forth herein or
             therein.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
             decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
             dollar value of securities  offered would not exceed that
             which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high
             end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected
             in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant
             to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume
             and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum
             aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
             Registration Fee" table in the effective registration
             statement; and

                 (iii)   To include any material information with respect to
             the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this
             Registration Statement or any material change to such
             information in this Registration Statement;

             Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do
     not apply if the information required to be included in a post-
     effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
     reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the
     Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the
     Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this
     Registration Statement.

            (2)   That, for the purpose of determining any liability under
     the 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.

     (b)   The Company hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
     determining any liability under the Act, each filing of the
     Company'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 this 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.

     (c)   Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
     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 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 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
     issue.

                            SIGNATURES

           THE REGISTRANT.  Pursuant to the requirements of the Act, 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 Hutchinson, State of Kansas, on April 4, 1997.

                                      COLLINS INDUSTRIES, INC.

                                      By:     /s/ Larry W. Sayre
                                      Name:   Larry W. Sayre
                                      Title:  Vice President Finance and
                                              Chief Financial Officer
                                              (Principal Accounting Officer)

                            POWER OF ATTORNEY

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature
     appears below constitutes and appoints Larry W. Sayre his or her
     true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of
     substitution and resubstitution, for them and in their name,
     place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all
     amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this
     Registration Statement and to file the same with all exhibits
     thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-
     in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each
     and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as
     fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do
     in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-
     in-fact and agent, or she substitute or substitutes, may lawfully
     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 by the following persons
     in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

          SIGNATURE                 TITLE                          DATE

     /s/ Don L. Collins      Chairman, Chief Executive Officer  April 4, 1997
         Don L. Collins      and Director

     /s/ Donald Lynn Collins President, Chief Operating         April 4, 1997
         Donald Lynn Collins Officer and Director

     /s/ Lewis W. Ediger     Vice-President, Secretary          April 4, 1997
         Lewis W. Ediger     and  Director

     /s/ Robert E. Lind      Director                           April 4, 1997
         Robert E. Lind

     /s/ Don S. Peters       Director                           April 4, 1997
         Don S. Peters

     /s/ Arch G. Gothard, III    Director                       April 4, 1997
         Arch G. Gothard, III

     /s/ Larry W. Sayre       Vice-President Finance and        April 4, 1997
         Larry W. Sayre       Chief Financial Officer
                              (principal accounting officer)

                               EXHIBIT INDEX

                                                                         Page

     4.1*    The Certificate of Incorporation of the Company,
             filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 2 to the Company's 
             Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 2-93247),
             as amended.                                                  N/A

     4.2*    Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the
             Company, filed as Exhibit3.3 to Amendment No. 1 to the
             Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
             (File No. 2-93247).                                          N/A

     4.3*    Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of the 
             Company, filed as Exhibit3.3(c) to Amendment No. 1 to 
             the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
             (File No. 33-48323).                                         N/A

     4.4*    The Bylaws of the Company, filed as Exhibit 3.4 to the
             Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
             (File No. 33-48323), as amended.                             N/A

     4.5*    Collins Industries, Inc. 1997 Omnibus Incentive Plan
             Filed as an exhibit to the Company's Definitive Proxy
             Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held
             February 28, 1997.                                           N/A

     5.1     Opinion of Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.                        11

    23.1     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP.                               14

    23.2     Consent of Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. (contained in
             Exhibit 5.1).                                                N/A

    24.1     Power of Attorney (contained on signature pages
             hereto).**                                                   N/A

    *   Previously Filed.

    **  Contained on signature pages to Form S-8.

                             EXHIBIT 5.1

                                                   April 4, 1997

     Collins Industries, Inc.
     421 East 30th Avenue
     Hutchinson, Kansas 67502
  
     Re:  Common Stock, $.10 Par Value

     Gentlemen:

          As counsel for Collins Industries, Inc., a Missouri corporation
     (the "Company"), we have participated in the preparation and
     filing of a Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration
     Statement") for the registration of 2,000,000 shares of common
     stock, par value $.10 per share, of the Company (the "Common
     Stock") pursuant to the Company's 1997 Omnibus Incentive Plan
     (the "Plan").

          In connection therewith, we have examined: (i) the Articles of
     Incorporation of the Company, as amended; (ii) the Bylaws of the
     Company, as amended; (iii) the Registration Statement; (iv) the
     Plan; (v) the minutes of the meeting of the Board of Directors of
     the Company at which the Directors adopted the Plan; and (vi) the
     minutes of the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company
     at which the stockholders approved the Plan.

          In addition to the examinations outlined above, we have conferred
     with various officers of the Company and have examined such other
     documents and records of the Company as we deemed necessary as a
     basis for the opinions hereafter expressed.  In such
     examinations, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures,
     the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals
     and the conformity to original documents of all documents
     submitted to us as certified copies or photocopies.

          Based on the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Common
     Stock, when issued and paid for in accordance with and pursuant
     to the terms set forth in the Plan and the award agreements
     issued thereunder, will be legally issued, fully paid and
     nonassessable.

          We express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other
     than The General and Business Corporation Law of Missouri.  The
     opinion set forth in this letter is effective as of the date
    hereof.  No expansion of our opinion may be made by implication
    or otherwise.  We express no opinion other than as herein
    expressly set forth.  We do not undertake to advise you with
    respect to any matter within the scope of this letter which comes
    to our attention after the date of this letter and disclaim any
    responsibility to advise you of future changes of law or fact
    which may affect the above opinion.  Other than the addressee
    hereof, no one is entitled to rely on this opinion; provided,
    however, that we hereby consent to all references to the
    undersigned in the Registration Statement, and in all amendments
    thereto, and to the filing of this opinion by the Company as an
    exhibit to said Registration Statement.

                                      Very truly yours,

                                      /s/ SHOOK, HARDY & BACON L.L.P.

                              EXHIBIT 23.1

                 Consent of Independent Public Accountants

     As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the
     incorporation by reference in this registration statement of our
     report dated December 10, 1996 included in Collins Industries,
     Inc.'s Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 1996 and to all
     references to our Firm included in this registration statement.

    
                                         
                                             /S/ Arthur Andersen LLP

     Kansas City, Missouri
     April 4, 1997