C.H. Heist: Earnings News Release


For Immediate Release
February 11, 1997



C.H. Heist Corp. Announces Fourth Quarter and Year-end 1996 Results


Clearwater, FL - C. H. Heist Corp. (Amex: HST) today announced its sales and
earnings for the fourth quarter and fiscal 1996.

     Sales of $26.7 million in the fourth quarter of 1996 were $1.1 million or
4.3%, over fourth quarter 1995's $25.6 million. Net earnings for the quarter
were $631,000, or $.22 per share, compared to $932,000 or $.32 per share
the prior year.

     Fiscal 1996 sales increased to $106.5 million, $3.8 million or 3.8% over
the $102.7 million recorded for 1995.  Net earnings in 1996 were $690,000, or
$.24 per share, compared to $1.6 million, or $.56 per share in 1995.

     "In the fourth quarter of 1995, sales and earnings were significantly
impacted by a major industrial maintenance turnaround contract," explained
President and Chairman of the Board, Charles H. Heist.  "While sales and
earnings across the company strengthened significantly in the fourth quarter of
1996, the absence of another large turnaround contract prevented the Company
from replicating our 1995 numbers."

     Record sales and earnings increases were posted by the Company's temporary
staffing subsidiary, Ablest Service Corp., in 1996.  Ablest fourth quarter
sales increased to $13.4 million in 1996 compared with $12.0 million during the
same period the year prior.  Sales for the year increased to $49.5 million
compared to $44.7 million in 1995.

     Industrial maintenance sales for fourth quarter 1996 were $13.4 million
compared to $13.6 million during the same period the year prior.  Industrial
maintenance sales for the year were $57.0 million compared to $58.0 million in
1995.

     "The write-off of obsolete inventory and higher-than-normal equipment
repairs negatively impacted industrial maintenance earnings," Heist said, "but
great strides were made in 1996 in this business segment.  For example, our
Southern Region, formerly the Field Services Division, improved Economic Value
Added by $1.1 million, the largest EVA improvement of any Heist business unit."
  
     The Company's balance sheet remains strong, with the current ratio at 3.1
to 1, compared to 3.7 to 1 at the beginning of fiscal 1996.  The quick ratio
was 2.7 to 1, compared to 3.2 to 1.

     C.H. Heist Corp. provides industrial cleaning and maintenance services to
a wide range of industries, such as chemical, petrochemical, power generation,
pulp and paper, mining, nuclear and metallurgical plants and mills.  With
locations throughout the eastern United States and Canada, its industrial
services include high pressure water cleaning, painting, sandblasting,
vacuuming of wet and dry industrial wastes, turnaround services and insulation
sales and application.

     The Company's temporary staffing subsidiary, Ablest Service Corp., has 31
offices throughout the eastern half of the United States.  It serves the
business, professional, industrial and information technology (IT) sectors with
both white and blue collar employees.

     C.H. Heist Corp. has announced its intention to spin-off Ablest Service
Corp., combined with an initial public offering, by prospectus only, during
1997.  The move will transform Ablest into a "pure play" company - essential in
facilitating further growth and securing equity capital to finance expansion
through acquisition and new-office openings.



(unaudited-in thousands except share and per share amounts)


OPERATING RESULTS:

                        Thirteen     Thirteen     Fifty Two   Fifty Three
                        Weeks ended  Weeks ended Weeks ended  Weeks ended 
                       Dec. 29, 1996Dec. 31, 1995Dec. 29, 1996Dec. 31, 1995
    Segment Sales:
Industrial Maintenance    $13,376      $13,615      $57,001      $57,974
Temporary Staffing         13,370       12,020       49,514       44,685
      Net Sales           $26,746      $25,635     $106,515     $102,659

Earnings Before
     Income taxes          $1,232       $1,421       $1,509       $2,911
Income Taxes                 (601)        (489)        (819)      (1,305)
     Net Earnings            $631         $932         $690       $1,606

Earnings Per Share          $0.22        $0.32        $0.24        $0.56

Average Shares Outstand 2,874,673    2,872,773    2,873,337    2,871,812



CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET:

                                    Dec. 29, 1996Dec. 31, 1995
Assets:

Current Assets                         $21,282      $21,507
Property, Plant and 
    Equipment, Net                      17,406       17,642
Other Assets                             2,074          266
Deferred Taxes                             141          132
                                       $40,903      $39,547
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:

Current Liabilities                     $6,786       $5,769
Long Term Debt                           6,492        6,980
Deferred Income Tax                        551          430
Stockholders' Equity                    27,074       26,368
                                       $40,903      $39,547


Ends.