ATLANTA, Feb. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Fuqua Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: FQE)
("Fuqua"), today reported its results for 1996.  For the year ended December
31, 1996, income from continuing operations was $7.3 million ($1.60 per share)
which was an increase of 40% over the $5.2 million ($1.32 per share) earned in
1995.  Revenues in 1996 were $183.5 million compared to $118 million for 1995.
Net income for 1996 was $7.3 million ($1.60 per share) compared to
$2.5 million (63 cents per share) for 1995.
    Income from continuing operations for the three months ended December 31,
1996 was $1.7 million (38 cents per share) on revenues of $54.6 million
compared to $1.9 million (45 cents per share) on revenues of $31.7 million in
the fourth quarter of 1995.  Net income for the fourth quarter of 1996 was
$1.7 million (38 cents per share) compared to a net loss in the fourth quarter
of 1995 of $1.4 million (33 cents per share).  The loss in 1995 resulted
principally from the decision to dispose of Kroy Tanning Company.
    Lawrence P. Klamon, President of Fuqua, said that the 1996 results
reflected Fuqua's decision to become a major producer of medical equipment and
continued solid performance by Fuqua's Leather Operations.  Fuqua entered the
medical equipment market in November 1995 with the acquisition of Basic
American Medical Products, Inc.  In April 1996, Fuqua acquired the Lumex
Division of Lumex, Inc. which contributed to the last three quarters of 1996's
results.  Mr. Klamon noted that 1997 would include a full year of the
operations of both acquisitions.  Earlier this month, Fuqua entered into a
Letter of Intent to acquire Prism Enterprises, Inc. which manufactures
therapeutic heat and cold packs for medical and consumer use and vacuum
systems for obstetrical and other applications.  That acquisition is expected
to close next week.
    Fuqua's Medical Products Operations manufacture a variety of products,
including beds, patient aids and mobility products for the acute, long-term
and home health care markets.  Fuqua's Leather Operations produce a broad line
of leathers that are sold to manufacturers of shoes, handbags, personal
leather goods and furniture in both the U.S. and foreign markets.

                      FUQUA ENTERPRISES, INC.
           (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

                               For the Three Months         For the Year
                                Ended December 31,       Ended December 31,
                                1996         1995        1996         1995
       Revenues:
    Net sales                  $54,490     $31,463     $181,543    $117,128
    Investment income              100         252        1,939         828
    Total revenues              54,590      31,715      183,482     117,956
       Costs and Expenses:
    Cost of sales               42,189      25,173      140,773      98,356
    Selling, general and
     administrative expenses     9,075       3,715       28,757      10,757
    Interest expense               514         181        2,470         894
    Total costs and expenses    51,778      29,069      172,000     110,007
    Income from continuing
     operations before income
     taxes                       2,812       2,646       11,482       7,949
    Income taxes                 1,064         728        4,209       2,699
    Income from continuing
     operations                  1,748       1,918        7,273       5,250
       Discontinued operations:
    Loss from discontinued
     operations, net                 0      (3,342)           0      (2,740)
    Net income (loss)          $ 1,748     $(1,424)    $  7,273    $  2,510
       Per share:
    Income from continuing
     operations                $  0.38     $  0.45     $   1.60    $   1.32
    Net income (loss)          $  0.38     $ (0.33)    $   1.60    $   0.63
    Avg. common shares and common
     share equivalents           4,549       4,259        4,554       3,963

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