BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INC.  
                               NEWS RELEASE  
  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                       May 14, 1997 


   Earnings of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and its consolidated 
subsidiaries for the first quarters ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 
are summarized below.  Amounts are stated on an after-tax basis 
(dollar amounts are in millions except per share amounts):

                                                     1997         1996   
                                                  ---------    ---------
Earnings from operations......................... $   263.1    $   160.2 
Realized investment gain.........................      21.3      1,508.5 
                                                  ---------    ---------
Net earnings..................................... $   284.4    $ 1,668.7 
                                                  =========    =========

Average Class A equivalent shares outstanding.... 1,232,245    1,193,512 

Earnings per share:
   Earnings from operations......................    $  214       $  134  
   Net earnings..................................    $  231       $1,398  
                                                     ======       ======

   There are three principal reasons for the comparative increase 
in operating earnings in 1997.  First, GEICO's underwriting 
results continue to be outstanding.  Over the last twelve months, 
GEICO's voluntary auto policy growth was 12.7% led by major gains 
in standard and non standard auto lines.  Second, 1997's pre-tax 
operating results reflect dividend income of about $55 million 
related to Berkshire's investment in US Airways Cumulative Convertible 
Preferred Stock.  As of March 31, 1997, US Airways was current with
respect to its dividend obligations.  Finally, 1997's first quarter 
includes the results of FlightSafety which Berkshire acquired at 
the end of 1996.

   Shareholders' equity at March 31, 1997 was $24.2 billion or 
$19,631 per equivalent Class A Common share.  Over the past twelve 
months, net book value per share has grown by 29.3%.

   The net earnings figures for 1996 are meaningless in 
evaluating the Company.  1996's first quarter earnings include 
$1.5 billion of after-tax realized investment gains compared to 
$21.3 million in 1997.  Most of 1996's realized gain arose in 
connection with The Walt Disney Company's acquisition of Capital 
Cities/ABC, Inc.  While the realized gain had a material impact on 
Berkshire's 1996 reported earnings, it had a very minor impact on 
Berkshire's shareholders' equity.  Berkshire records its 
investments at market value and the appreciation in the Capital 
Cities stock had been previously reflected as a component of 
shareholders' equity in periods prior to 1996's first quarter.

   Berkshire's first quarter interim report to shareholders 
report will be posted on the Internet on May 15, 1997 where it can 
be accessed via www.berkshirehathaway.com.

   Berkshire Hathaway and its subsidiaries engage in a number of 
diverse business activities among which the most important is the 
property and casualty insurance business conducted on both a 
direct and reinsurance basis.  Common stock of the Company is 
listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading symbols BRK.A and 
BRK.B.


Contact:  Marc D. Hamburg    (402) 346-1400


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