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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000714562-98-000011.txt : 19980918
<SEC-HEADER>0000714562-98-000011.hdr.sgml : 19980918
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000714562-98-000011
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	19980916
ITEM INFORMATION:		
FILED AS OF DATE:		19980917
SROS:			NONE

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FIRST FINANCIAL CORP /IN/
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000714562
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				351546989
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			IN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-16759
		FILM NUMBER:		98710643

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE FIRST FINANCIAL PLZ
		CITY:			TERRE HAUTE
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			47807
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8122386000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE FIRST FINANCIAL PLAZA
		CITY:			TERRE HAUTE
		STATE:			IN
		ZIP:			47807

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TERRE HAUTE FIRST CORP
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19850808
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>8-K
<SEQUENCE>1
<DESCRIPTION>8-K TREASURY STOCK
<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): 

                         September 16, 1998



                 FIRST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
    (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)  


  
     Indiana                 0-16759                 35-1546989
(State of Incorporation) Commission File Number    IRS Employer
                                                   Identification
                                                    Number


      One First Financial Plaza, Terre Haute, Indiana 47807 
             (Address of Principal Executive Offices)



                          812-238-6000
                (Registrant's Telephone Number) 

                        <PAGE>





Item 5.   Other Events.

           See the Press Release attached as Exhibit 28.

Item 7.    Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information
           and Exhibit.

    (c)    Exhibits

           28.  Press Release issued by the Registrant on 
                September 16, 1998.  



                                 <PAGE>

                            SIGNATURES


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act 

of 1934, Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on 

its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


      
                                  FIRST FINANCIAL CORPORATION
 


DATED: September 16, 1998         BY:     (Signature)
                                  Donald E. Smith, President  


                         <PAGE>


September 16, 1998
Contact: John W. Perry
Telephone: 812-238-6000
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


              FIRST FINANCIAL CORPORATION ANNOUNCES
                    Repurchase of Stock

                                 

     Terre Haute, Indiana --September 16, 1998--First Financial
Corporation (NASDAQ: THFF), an Indiana corporation, announced
today that the Board of Directors have approved the repurchase,
from time to time, on the open market of up to $10,000,0000 of
the company s outstanding shares of common stock. Such purchases
will be made subject to market conditions in open market or block
transactions at prices deemed appropriate by management.

     According to Donald E. Smith, Chairman of the Board, the
Board of Directors believe the repurchase programs is in the best
interest of the company and its shareholders. The open market
purchases will have the effect of enhancing the book value per
share and the potential for growth in earnings per share of the
company s remaining outstanding shares.

     As of June 30, 1998, the company has consolidated total
assets of $1.73 billion and shareholders  equity of $175.2
million.



es 

                          <PAGE>

</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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