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                SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                       Washington, D. C.  20549     

                                 

                            FORM 11-K

    (Mark One)

       [X]  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF
                  THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934   


       For the Period of February 1, 1996 - March 31, 1996


                                OR


       [ ]TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF
               THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934      


For the Transition Period from _________________ to _________________


                  Commission file number 1-3523



                            A. Full title of the Plan:

                               WESTAR SECURITY SERVICES, INC.            
                               401(K)  PROFIT SHARING PLAN

                            B. Name of issuer of the securities held
                               pursuant to the plan and the address
                               of its principal executive office:

                               WESTERN RESOURCES, INC.
                               818 Kansas Avenue
                               Topeka, Kansas  66612







                                                 EIN:  48-1123483
                                                  PN:  001       










                  WESTAR SECURITY SERVICES, INC.

                    401(K) PROFIT SHARING PLAN
                                 
     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE PERIOD OF FEBRUARY 1, 1996 - MARCH 31, 1996
                                 
      TOGETHER WITH REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
                                 





































             Report of Independent Public Accountants



To the Investment and Benefits Committee of 
Westar Security Services, Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan:

We have audited the accompanying statement of net assets available for
benefits of WESTAR SECURITY SERVICES, INC. 401(K) PROFIT SHARING PLAN as of
February 1, 1996 and March 31, 1996, the related statement of changes in net
assets available for benefits for the two months ended March 31, 1996, and the
schedules referred to below.  These financial statements and the schedules are
the responsibility of the Plan's management.  Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements and schedules based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing 
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,  in
all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of
March 31, 1996, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the
two months then ended in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles.

Our audits were made for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic 
financial statements taken as a whole.  The supplemental schedules of assets
held for investment purposes as of March 31, 1996 and reportable transactions
for the two months then ended are presented for the purpose of additional
analysis and are not a required part of the basic financial statements, but
are supplementary information required by the Department of Labor's Rules and
Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974. The supplemental schedules have been subjected to the
auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements
and, in our opinion, are fairly stated in all material respects in relation to
the basic financial statements taken as a whole.

Arthur Andersen LLP


Kansas City, Missouri,
June 7, 1996

                                                       
                                                              EIN:  48-1123483
                                                              PN:  001       

                  WESTAR SECURITY SERVICES, INC.

                    401(K) PROFIT SHARING PLAN

          STATEMENT OF NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS

                          MARCH 31, 1996

                                            March 31, 1996   February 1, 1996
ASSETS

INVESTMENTS:
  GIC Fund                                       $     94        $   
  Windsor Fund                                     24,161               -
  Money Market Reserves                               360               -
  Western Resources, Inc. Common Stock Fund        34,921               -
  Wellington Fund                                  10,610               -
  Index Trust - 500 Portfolio Fund                 12,384               -
  PRIMECAP Fund                                    10,395               -
  Magellan Fund                                    10,933               -

     Total Investments                            103,858               -

INTEREST AND DIVIDENDS RECEIVABLE                      49               -

NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS                $103,907        $      -

          The accompanying notes to financial statements
            are an integral part of these statements.

                                                 EIN:  48-1123483
                                                   PN:  001      



                  WESTAR SECURITY SERVICES, INC.

                    401(K) PROFIT SHARING PLAN

    STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR BENEFITS

             FOR THE TWO MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996



NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR
  BENEFITS, beginning of year                              $      -

INVESTMENT INCOME:
  Interest                                                       49
  Net Depreciation in Fair
    Value of Investments                                       (235)

      Total Investment Income                                  (186)

PARTICIPANT CONTRIBUTIONS                                     5,505
TRANSFERS FROM OTHER PLANS                                   98,588

NET INCREASE                                                103,907

NET ASSETS AVAILABLE FOR
  BENEFITS, end of year                                    $103,907


          The accompanying notes to financial statements
            are an integral part of these statements.

                  WESTAR SECURITY SERVICES, INC.

                    401(K) PROFIT SHARING PLAN

                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                          MARCH 31, 1996


(1) PLAN DESCRIPTION:

The following brief description of the Westar Security Services, Inc. 401(k)
Profit Sharing Plan (the Plan) is provided for general information purposes
only.  Participants should refer to the plan document for more complete
information.

     (a) General--The Plan is a defined contribution plan.  The Plan was
     established for employees of Westar Security Services, Inc. (the
     Company).

     All employees, except part-time employees, are eligible to participate
     in the Plan after ninety days of service.  The Plan is subject to the
     provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
     (ERISA), as amended.

     (b) Contributions--Participants are allowed to make elective deferral
     contributions of between 1% and 14% of taxable wages subject to certain
     Internal Revenue Code limits.  These contributions effectively reduce a
     participant's taxable wages because they are withheld from earnings on a
     pre-tax basis.  An employee may transfer a qualifying rollover
     distribution to the Trustee under the Plan subject to terms and
     conditions of the Plan.

     The Company may make qualified nonelective employer contributions or
     regular employer contributions at its discretion.  In order to share in
     either employer contribution, the eligible employee must be an employee
     of the Company on the last day of the Plan year and must have completed
     1,000 hours of service during the Plan year.

     Participants are fully vested in elective deferral contributions,
     qualified nonelective employer contributions, and amounts representing
     qualifying rollover distributions.

     (c) Investment Funds--Participants may elect to have their
     contributions and the Company's qualified non-elective
     contributions invested in the funds listed below, excluding the
     Loan Fund.  Allocations between the funds must be made in 10%
     increments.  Participants may also elect once per quarter to
     transfer their interests between funds.

     The GIC Fund is invested primarily in the Vanguard Investment Contract
     Trust, a fund which invests in investment contracts issued by insurance
     companies that are viewed by Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company as being
     financially sound and are highly rated by the major credit agencies. 
     Principal of investments in the Fund, and interest thereon, are
     obligations of the insurance companies.  Neither Vanguard nor the
     Company guarantees either principal or interest in such investments.

     Windsor Fund is invested entirely in the Vanguard/Windsor Fund, a
     diversified equity fund invested in equity securities providing dividend
     and capital appreciation income.



     Money Market Fund is invested entirely in the Vanguard Money Market
     Reserves, Prime Portfolio, a money market fund invested in commercial
     paper and certificates of deposit.

     The Western Resources Common Stock Fund invests in Western Resources,
     Inc. common stock to provide the possibility of long-term growth through
     increases in the value of the stock and the reinvestment of its
     dividends.  A portion of the fund may also be invested in cash reserves,
     such as money market instruments, to accommodate daily transactions.

     Loan Fund is a conduit for the distribution and repayment of loan
     proceeds.  The investments in the fund represent loans due from
     participants.  No loans are currently outstanding.

     Wellington Fund is invested entirely in the Vanguard/Wellington
     Fund, a balanced fund which invests in stocks for potential
     capital growth and dividend income and in bonds for current income
     potential and conservation of principal.

     Index Trust-500 Portfolio Fund is invested entirely in the Vanguard
     Index Trust-500 Portfolio, a growth and income fund which seeks to
     provide long-term capital growth.  The Index Trust-500 Portfolio
     attempts to provide investment results that correspond to the price and
     yield performance of publicly traded stocks, in the aggregate, as
     represented by the Standard & Poor's Composite Stock Price Index.

     PRIMECAP Fund is invested entirely in the Vanguard/PRIMECAP Fund, a
     growth fund seeking long-term growth of capital by investing principally
     in a portfolio of common stocks.

     Magellan Fund is invested entirely in the Fidelity Magellan Fund,
     a diversified equity fund invested in equity securities providing
     long-term capital appreciation.

     The above funds are managed by Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company except
     the Magellan Fund which is managed by Fidelity Investments Institutional
     Services Company.  Investments in Investment Contract Trust and Money
     Market Reserves are stated at cost which approximates market. 
     Investments in Windsor Fund, Wellington Fund, PRIMECAP Fund, Index
     Trust-500 Portfolio, Magellan Fund, and Western Resources, Inc. Common
     Stock Fund are stated at quoted market values.  Investments in Loan Fund
     are stated at face value.

     (d) Loans to Participants--In accordance with Plan provisions
     participants are permitted to borrow a specified portion of the vested
     balances in their individual accounts.  Loans are evidenced by
     promissory notes payable to the Plan.  No loans are currently
     outstanding.

     (e) Income Taxes--The Plan has not yet obtained a determination letter
     from the Internal Revenue Service.  The Plan Administrator believes that
     the Plan is currently designed and being operated in compliance with the
     applicable requirements of the Internal Revenue Code and, therefore, no
     provision for income taxes has been included in these financial
     statements.

     (f) Plan Termination--The Company is free to terminate the Plan at any
     time.   

(2) SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

     (a) Basis of Accounting--The Plan's financial statements are maintained
     on the accrual basis.  Employee contributions are accrued as the 



     employees' salaries are earned.  Upon retirement, death, disability or
     termination of employment, all vested balances are paid to the
     participant or his beneficiaries in accordance with Plan terms.

     (b) Participant Accounts--A separate account is maintained for each
     participant.  Allocations to participant accounts for employee
     contributions are made when the contributions are received by the
     trustee.  Allocations to participant accounts for the net of interest
     dividends, realized and unrealized changes in investment market value
     and Plan expenses are made when such amounts are earned or incurred.

     Forfeitures arise when participants leave the Plan before any
     discretionary Company contributions become fully vested.  Forfeitures
     are used to reduce future Company matching contributions.

     (c) Administrative Expenses--All administrative expenses of the Plan are
     paid by the Company with the exception of loan administrative charges
     which will be paid by the participants.  The Company has no continuing
     obligation to pay these expenses.

(3) ASSET TRANSFERS:

The accounts of participants who change employment status and new employees
with assets in previous employers' qualified plans are transferred into the
Plan in accordance with Plan provisions.

(4) INVESTMENTS:

The following investments represent over 5% of net assets available for
benefits at March 31, 1996:

                                                           March 31, 1996 

     Vanguard/Windsor Fund                                    $  24,161

     Vanguard Money Market Reserves, Prime Portfolio             35,281

     Vanguard/Wellington Fund                                    10,610

     Vanguard Index Trust - 500 Portfolio                        12,384

     Vanguard/PrimeCap Fund                                      10,395

     Magellan Fund                                               10,933

(5) FUND INFORMATION:

The following tables present changes in net assets available for benefits in
fund detail for March 31, 1996.




(5) Fund Information (continued):

Period Ended March 31, 1996 Company Money Common GIC Windsor Market Stock Wellington Fund Fund Reserves Fund Fund ADDITIONS Investment Income: Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments $ - $ 59 $ - $ 1 $ (77) Interest - - - - - - 59 - 1 (77) Contributions: Participant 94 988 138 1,870 496 Employer - - - - - 94 988 138 1,870 496 Total additions 94 1,047 138 1,871 419 Net increase (decrease) prior to transfers 94 1,047 138 1,871 419 TRANSFERS Transfers-other plans - 23,114 222 33,050 10,191 Total transfers - 23,114 222 33,050 10,191 Net increase (decrease) 94 24,161 360 34,921 10,610 Net assets available for benefits: Beginning of year - - - - - End of year $ 94 $ 24,161 $ 360 $ 34,921 $ 10,610 (Continued)
(5) Fund Information (continued):
Period Ended March 31, 1996 Index Trust-500 PRIMECAP Portfolio Fund Magellan Other Total ADDITIONS Investment Income: Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments $ (129) $ (45) $ (44) $ - $ (235) Interest - - - 49 49 (129) (45) (44) 49 (186) Contributions: Participant 744 599 576 - 5,505 Employer - - - - - 744 599 576 - 5,505 Total additions 615 554 532 49 5,319 Net increase (decrease) prior to transfers 615 554 532 49 5,319 TRANSFERS Transfers-other plans 11,769 9,841 10,401 - 98,588 Total transfers 11,769 9,841 10,401 - 98,588 Net increase (decrease) 12,384 10,395 10,933 49 103,907 Net assets available for benefits: Beginning of year - - - - - End of year $ 12,384 $ 10,395 $ 10,933 $ 49 $ 103,907
EIN: 48-1123483 PN: 001 PAGE 1 OF 1 WESTAR SECURITY SERVICES, INC. 401(K) PROFIT SHARING PLAN LINE 27a - SCHEDULE OF ASSETS HELD FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES MARCH 31, 1996 Number Current Description of Units Cost Value Vanguard/Windsor Fund 1,566.880 $ 24,102 $ 24,161 Vanguard Money Market Reserves, Prime Portfolio 35,281.120 35,281 35,281 Vanguard/Wellington Fund 423.911 10,688 10,610 Vanguard Index Trust - 500 Portfolio 204.937 12,513 12,384 Vanguard/PrimeCap Fund 385.136 10,439 10,395 Fidelity Magellan Fund 124.934 10,976 10,933 Vanguard Investment Contract Trust 93.500 94 94 Total Investments $104,093 $103,858 EIN: 48-1123483 PN: 001 WESTAR SECURITY SERVICES, INC. 401(K) PROFIT SHARING PLAN LINE 27d - SCHEDULE OF REPORTABLE TRANSACTIONS FOR THE TWO MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996
Type of Dollar Net Gain Investment Transaction Number Value (Loss) (1) Magellan Fund Purchases 4 $ 11,043 $ - Sales 1 66 (1) Vanguard/Wellington Fund Purchases 5 10,688 - Sales - - - Vanguard/PrimeCap Fund Purchases 6 10,439 - Sales - - - Vanguard/Windsor Fund Purchases 5 24,102 - Sales - - - Vanguard Investment Contract Purchases 3 100 - Trust Sales 1 6 - Vanguard Money Market Reserves, Purchases 8 35,012 - Prime Portfolio Sales - - - Vanguard Index Trust 500 Purchases 5 12,513 - Portfolio Sales 1 5 - (1) Amount shown in this column is cost of purchases or proceeds from sales.
SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment and Benefits Committee for the Westar Security Services, Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. WESTAR SECURITY SERVICES, INC. 401(K) PROFIT SHARING PLAN By: Signature Title Date S. L. Kitchen Chairman June 26, 1996 Ira W. McKee, Jr. Member June 26, 1996 John K. Rosenberg Member June 26, 1996 William B. Moore Member June 26, 1996 David E. Roth Member June 26, 1996 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit Number Description of Documents Page 23 Consent of Independent Public Accountants (filed electronically)
                                                       Exhibit 23


            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this Form S-8 Registration Statement of Western Resources, Inc.
to issue 5,000 shares of common stock, $5.00 par value for Westar Security
Services, Inc. 401(K) Profit Sharing Plan, of our reports dated January 26,
1996 incorporated by reference in Western Resources, Inc. Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1995 and to all references to our Firm included in
this registration statement.





                                               Arthur Andersen LLP  
  

Kansas City, Missouri,
  June 19, 1996