1
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549

                                                  Commission File Number    N/A
                                                                            ---


                           NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

(Check One):     [ ] Form 10-K        [X] Form 11-K      [ ] 20-F     [ ] 10-Q

      [ ]     Form N-SAR
              For Period Ended: December 31, 1996

[ ] Transition Report on Form 10-K       [ ]  Transition Report on Form 10-Q
[ ] Transition Report on Form 20-F       [ ] Transition Report on Form N-SAR
[x] Transition Report on Form 11-K

          For the Transition Period Ended:         12/31/96
                                          ---------------------------
          Read attached instruction sheet before preparing form. Please print or
type.

     Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the Commission has
verified any information contained herein.

     If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above,
identify the item(s) to which the notification relates:________________________

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     PART I
                             REGISTRANT INFORMATION

Full name of registrant: STERIS Corporation 401K Plan and Trust 
Former name if applicable: N/A 
Address of principal executive office (Street and number) 
5960 Heisley Road
City, state and zip code:  Mentor, Ohio 44060

                                     PART II
                             RULE 12b-25(b) AND (c)

     If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or
expense and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the
following should be completed. (Check appropriate box.)

        [X]       (a) The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of
                  this form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort
                  or expense;



   2



        [X]       (b) The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition
                  report on Form 10-K, 20-F, 11-K or Form N-SAR, or portion
                  thereof will be filed on or before the 15th calendar day
                  following the prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly
                  report to transition report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof
                  will be filed on or before the fifth calendar day following
                  the prescribed due date; and

        [ ]       (c) The accountant's statement or other exhibit required
                  by Rule 12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.

                                    PART III
                                    NARRATIVE

     State below in reasonable detail the reasons why Form 10-K, 11-K, 10-Q,
N-SAR or the transition report portion thereof could not be filed within the
prescribed time period. (Attach extra sheets if needed.)

     During the fiscal year to be reported, STERIS Corporation ("STERIS") and
AMSCO International, Inc. ("AMSCO") completed a merger transaction whereby AMSCO
became a wholly owned subsidiary of STERIS. In connection with this merger
transaction, the AMSCO 401(k) Tax Deferred Savings Plan was merged into the
STERIS 401K Plan and Trust (the "Plan"). Accordingly, administrative expense and
delay has resulted in the Plan requiring additional time to file its annual
report.

                                     PART IV
                                OTHER INFORMATION

     (1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
notification

     Laura L. Weien 
     (216) 354-2600


     (2) Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act
of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed? If the answer is no,
identify report(s).

                                              [X]  Yes         [ ]  No

     (3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations
from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the
earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion thereof?

                                              [ ]  Yes         [X]  No

     If so: attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively
and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable
estimate of the results cannot be made.




   3


                     STERIS Corporation 401K Plan and Trust
                       (Name of Registrant)

Has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.

Date  July 1, 1997         By: /s/ Laura L. Weien

               Instruction. The form may be signed by an executive officer of
          the registrant or by any other duly authorized representative. The
          name and title of the person signing the form shall be typed or
          printed beneath the signature. If the statement is signed on behalf of
          the registrant by an authorized representative (other than an
          executive officer), evidence of the representative's authority to sign
          on behalf of the registrant shall be filed with the form.

                                    ATTENTION
                                                                           
               Intentional misstatements or omissions of fact constitute Federal
criminal violations (see 18 U.S.C. 1001).

Shareholder Tools