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): OCTOBER 30, 1997


                            OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION




       VIRGINIA                        0-27022               54-1237042         
(State of incorporation)        (Commission file number)     (I.R.S. Employer   
                                                             Identification No.)
                                                                                
5290 CONCOURSE DRIVE                                         (540) 265-0690     
ROANOKE, VA  24019                                           (Telephone Number) 
(Address of principal
executive offices)







ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS

     On October 30, 1997,  Optical Cable  Corporation (the "Company")  announced
that the Board of Directors of the Company had  authorized  the repurchase of up
to $5 million of the  Company's  common stock in the open market or in privately
negotiated  transactions.  A copy of the press  release  announcing  this  stock
repurchase authorization is filed as an exhibit to this Report on Form 8-K.

ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.

     (C)  Exhibits.

          99.1 Press  release of Optical  Cable  Corporation,  dated October 30,
               1997.



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                                    SIGNATURE
                                    ---------


     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant  has duly  caused  the  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf  by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on the 10th day of November, 1997.



                           OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION



                              By: /s/ Kenneth W. Harber
                                  ------------------------
                                  Kenneth W. Harber
                                  Vice President of Finance,
                                  Treasurer and Secretary


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                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


DOCUMENT                                                                PAGE NO.
- --------                                                                --------

99.1 Press release of Optical Cable Corporation, dated October 30, 1997.....




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                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1

NEWS              RE:
BULLETIN           OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION
From:              5290 Concourse Drive
FRB                Roanoke, VA 24019
                   (Nasdaq: OCCF)


THE FINANCIAL RELATIONS BOARD INC

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:



                                             
AT THE COMPANY:                                    AT THE FINANCIAL RELATIONS BOARD:
Robert Kopstein           Ken Harber               Alison Ziegler -- General Info.
Chairman & CEO            VP of Finance            Jordan Darrow -- Analyst Info.
(540) 265-0690            (540) 265-0690           Judith Sylk-Siegel -- Media Info.
kopstein@occfiber.com     kharber@occfiber.com     (212) 661-8030
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION ANNOUNCES STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM ROANOKE, Virginia -- October 30, 1997 -- Optical Cable Corporation (Nasdaq: OCCF) today announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of up to $5 million of the Company's common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. At current prices, this would represent over 540,000 shares equaling 1.4% of total common shares outstanding or 20% of the 2.7 million shares in the Company's float. The price to be paid, timing of purchases and the manner of purchases will be at the discretion of management. Robert Kopstein, President and Chief Executive Officer said, "The decision to repurchase our shares reflects management's continued confidence in our business and in our strengthening global position within the fiber optic cable industry." Optical Cable Corporation manufactures and markets a broad range of fiber optic cables for "high bandwidth" transmission of data, video and audio communications over moderate distances. Optical Cable Corporation's cables can be used both indoors and outdoors and utilize a tight-buffered coating that protects the optical fiber. Note: This news release contains certain forward looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or forecasted. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those disclosed in the Company's Annual Report and Form 10-K for fiscal year 1996. NOTE: Further information on Optical Cable Corporation is available through our website on the World Wide Web at http://www.occfiber.com To receive additional information on Optical Cable Corporation, via fax, at no charge, dial 1-800-PRO-INFO and enter code OCCF.