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): December 19, 1997




                           SUN HYDRAULICS CORPORATION
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


<TABLE>
<S>                                 <C>                    <C>
       Florida                        0-21835                 59-2754337
- ----------------------------        ------------           -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction        (Commission              (IRS Employer
     of incorporation)              File Number)           Identification No.)
</TABLE>


       1500 West University Parkway                         
            Sarasota, Florida                                          34232
   ---------------------------------------                          ----------
   (Address of principal executive offices                          (Zip Code)




Registrant's telephone number, including area code:                 941-362-1200








ITEM 5.           OTHER EVENTS.


PRESS RELEASE

         On December 22, 1997, the Registrant issued the press release attached
hereto as Exhibit 99.1 announcing a $0.035 per share dividend on its common
stock payable on January 15, 1998, to shareholders of record on December 31,
1997.


ITEM 7.           FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

         (a)      Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.

                  None.

         (b)      Pro Forma Financial Information.

                  None.

         (c)      Exhibits.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Exhibit
      Number         Exhibit Description
      ------         -------------------
      <S>            <C>
       99.1          Press Release of the Registrant dated December 22, 1997
</TABLE>

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                                    SIGNATURE


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                   SUN HYDRAULICS CORPORATION



                                   By:/s/ Richard J. Dobbyn
                                      -----------------------------------
                                      Richard J. Dobbyn
                                      Chief Financial Officer (Principal
                                      Financial and Accounting Officer)

Dated:  December 22, 1997




                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Exhibit                            
      Number                                 Exhibit Description
      ------                                 -------------------
       <S>            <C>     
       99.1          Press Release of the Registrant dated December 22, 1997.
</TABLE>


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