SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
                PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(A) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

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[X]  Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ]  Definitive Additional Materials
[ ]  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Sections 240.14a-11(c) or Section
     240.14a-12


                            Patrick Industries, Inc.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (Name Of Person(S) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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         statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

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                            PATRICK INDUSTRIES, INC.
                             1800 SOUTH 14TH STREET
                                  P.O. BOX 638
                             ELKHART, INDIANA 46515
                                  574-294-7511

                                  ------------

                    NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

                             TO BE HELD MAY 14, 2004

TO THE SHAREHOLDERS:

     NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of  Shareholders  of Patrick
Industries, Inc., an Indiana corporation,  will be held at the Company's Patrick
Metals Division offices,  5020 Lincolnway East,  Mishawaka,  Indiana, on Friday,
May 14, 2004 at 10:30 a.m., Mishawaka time, for the following purposes:

     1. To elect three directors of the Company to serve until 2007.

     2. To approve  proposed  amendments  to the  Company's  1987  Stock  Option
Program.

     3. To consider and transact such other business as may properly come before
the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

     The Board of  Directors  has fixed the close of business on March 16, 2004,
as the  record  date for the  determination  of the  holders  of  shares  of the
Company's  outstanding  Common  Stock  entitled  to notice of and to vote at the
Annual  Meeting of  Shareholders.  Each  shareholder is entitled to one vote per
share on all matters to be voted on at the meeting.

     Whether  or not you expect to attend  the  meeting,  you are urged to sign,
date, and return the enclosed proxy in the enclosed envelope.

                                       By Order of the Board of Directors,


                                                ANDY L. NEMETH
                                                     SECRETARY

April 9, 2004


PLEASE DATE,  SIGN AND MAIL THE ENCLOSED  PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE  PROVIDED  WHICH
REQUIRES  NO POSTAGE  FOR  MAILING IN THE UNITED  STATES.  A PROMPT  RESPONSE IS
HELPFUL, AND YOUR COOPERATION WILL BE APPRECIATED.



                            PATRICK INDUSTRIES, INC.
                             1800 SOUTH 14TH STREET
                                  P.O. BOX 638
                             ELKHART, INDIANA 46515
                                  574-294-7511
                              ---------------------

                                 PROXY STATEMENT

                         ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

                             TO BE HELD MAY 14, 2004
                         -------------------------------

     This Proxy Statement is being mailed to shareholders of Patrick Industries,
Inc. (the  "Company") on or about April 9, 2004,  and is furnished in connection
with the Board of Directors'  solicitation  of proxies for the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders  to be held on May 14,  2004 for the  purpose  of  considering  and
acting  upon  the  matters   specified  in  the  Notice  of  Annual  Meeting  of
Shareholders  accompanying  this  Proxy  Statement.  If the form of proxy  which
accompanies this Proxy Statement is executed and returned,  it may be revoked by
the person giving it at any time prior to the voting  thereof by written  notice
to the Secretary,  by delivery of a later dated proxy,  or by requesting to vote
in person at the meeting. Additional solicitations, in person or by telephone or
otherwise,  may be made by certain  directors,  officers  and  employees  of the
Company without additional  compensation.  Expenses incurred in the solicitation
of proxies,  including  postage,  printing  and  handling,  and actual  expenses
incurred  by  brokerage  houses,   custodians,   nominees,  and  fiduciaries  in
forwarding documents to beneficial owners, will be paid by the Company.

     The Annual  Report to  shareholders  for the year ended  December 31, 2003,
accompanies this Proxy Statement.  Additional copies of the Annual Report may be
obtained by writing the Secretary of the Company.

                               VOTING INFORMATION

     Each  shareholder  is entitled to one vote for each share of the  Company's
Common Stock held as of the record date.  For purposes of the meeting,  a quorum
means a majority of the outstanding shares. As of the close of business on March
16,  2004,  the  record  date for  shareholders  entitled  to vote at the annual
meeting,  there were outstanding  4,676,549 shares of Common Stock,  entitled to
one vote each. In determining whether a quorum exists at the meeting, all shares
represented  in person or by proxy will be  counted.  A  shareholder  may,  with
respect to the  election of  directors,  (i) vote for the  election of all named
director  nominees,  (ii)  withhold  authority  to vote for all  named  director
nominees,  or (iii) vote for the election of all named  director  nominees other
than any nominee with  respect to whom the  shareholder  withholds  authority to
vote by so indicating in the appropriate space on the proxy. With respect to any
other  proposals,  a  shareholder  may vote for,  against,  or abstain.  Proxies
properly  executed  and  received  by the  Company  prior to the meeting and not
revoked  will be voted as  directed  therein  on all  matters  presented  at the
meeting.  In the absence of a specific  direction from the shareholder,  proxies
will be voted for the election of all named director nominees.

     The  Directors  are  elected  by a  plurality  of the votes  cast by shares
present  in person  or by proxy at the  Annual  Meeting  and  entitled  to vote.
Consequently,  withholding  authority to vote in the election of Directors  will
have no effect on the election of directors. Any other matter which may properly
come  before the  meeting  may be  approved by a majority of the votes cast at a
meeting at which a quorum is present.  Broker  non-votes  will have no effect on
any matter at the Annual Meeting.

     The  Board of  Directors  knows of no other  matter  which  may come up for
action at the Annual Meeting. However, if any other matter properly comes before
the Annual  Meeting,  the persons  named in the proxy form enclosed will vote in
accordance with their judgment upon such matter.

                                       1



     Shareholder  proposals for inclusion in proxy materials for the next Annual
Meeting should be addressed to the Company's  Secretary,  P.O. Box 638, Elkhart,
Indiana 46515, and must be received no later than Friday,  December 10, 2004. In
addition,  the  Company's  By-laws  require  notice of any other  business to be
brought  before a  meeting  by a  shareholder  (but not  included  in the  proxy
statement) to be delivered,  in writing,  to the Company's  Secretary,  together
with  certain  prescribed  information,  not less than 90 days nor more than 110
days prior to the first  anniversary  of the preceding  year's  annual  meeting.
Likewise,  the Articles of  Incorporation  and By-laws require that  shareholder
nominations  to the Board of Directors be delivered to the  Secretary,  together
with certain  prescribed  information  in  accordance  with the  procedures  for
bringing business before an annual meeting which directors are to be elected.

                           STOCK OWNERSHIP INFORMATION

     The  following  table  sets  forth,  as of  the  record  date,  information
concerning the only parties known to the Company having beneficial  ownership of
more than 5 percent of its outstanding Common Stock and information with respect
to the stock ownership of all directors and executive officers of the Company as
a group.



                                                                      NUMBER OF
                                                                       SHARES
                                                                     BENEFICIALLY          PERCENT
           NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                         OWNED             OF CLASS
           ------------------------------------                         -----             --------

                                                                                      
     Mervin D. Lung . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  931,721              19.92%
       Chairman Emeritus of the Company
       P.O. Box 638
       Elkhart, Indiana  46515
     Citigroup, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  412,900               8.83%
       399 Park Avenue
       New York, NY  10043
     Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  320,942               6.86%
       1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor
       Santa Monica, California  90401
     FMR Corp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  273,280               5.84%
       25 Lovat Lane
       Boston, Massachusetts  02109
     Heartland Advisors, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  460,225               9.84%
       789 North Water Street
       Milwaukee, Wisconsin  53202
     Directors and Executive Officers as a group (13 persons) . . . .1,110,013              23.74%(1)
---------

(1)  The stock  ownership  of the  executive  officers  named in the Summary  Compensation  Table is set forth under the
     heading "Election of Directors",  except for Paul E. Hassler (1,500 shares),  Alan M. Rzepka (250 shares), and Andy
     L. Nemeth and Gregory J. Scharnott (0 shares each).



             SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

     Section 16(a) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 requires that certain
of the Company's  officers,  its directors  and 10%  shareholders  file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and Nasdaq an initial statement of beneficial
ownership and certain  statements  of changes in beneficial  ownership of Common
Stock of the Company.  Based solely on its review of such forms  received by the
Company and written representation from the directors and officers that no other
reports were required,  the Company is unaware of any instances of noncompliance
or late  compliance  with such filings during the fiscal year ended December 31,
2003,  except for Mervin D. Lung who was late in filing two Form 4s covering two
transactions.

                                       2



                              ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     The Board of Directors is divided into three  classes,  with the members of
each class serving staggered three-year terms.  Accordingly,  at the 2004 Annual
Meeting  three  directors  will be elected to hold office  until the 2007 Annual
Meeting or until their successors are duly elected and qualified.

     It is  intended  that the  proxies  will be voted for the  nominees  listed
below,  unless otherwise  indicated on the proxy form. It is expected that these
nominees will serve,  but, if for any  unforeseen  cause any such nominee should
decline or be unable to serve,  the proxies will be voted to fill any vacancy so
arising in accordance with the  discretionary  authority of the persons named in
the proxies.

     The following  information  concerning principal occupations and the number
of shares of Common  Stock of the  Company  owned  beneficially  as of March 16,
2004, has been furnished by the nominees and directors continuing in office:



                                                                                      COMMON       PERCENT
                                                                          FIRST       STOCK          OF
                                                                          YEAR        OF THE       COMMON
                                  PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION                   ELECTED      COMPANY      STOCK
       NAME AND AGE             AND OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS                  DIRECTOR     OWNED(1)     OWNED
       ------------             -----------------------                  --------     --------     -----
Directors to Serve Until the 2007 Annual Meeting:
-------------------------------------------------
                                                                                       
Keith V. Kankel, 61 . . . . .  Interim President (Chief Executive          1977         19,686     less
                               Officer) since October, 2003.                                       than 1%
                               Retired Vice President of Finance of
                               Patrick Industries, Inc. from 1987
                               through 2002 and retired Secretary-
                               Treasurer from 1974 through 2002.
Mervin D. Lung, 81 . . . . .   Chairman Emeritus, President since          1961        931,721     19.92%
                               incorporation in 1961 until 1989,
                               and father of David D. Lung.
Harold E. Wyland, 67 . . . .   Chairman in 2001.                           1989          9,000     less
                               Retired Vice President of Sales,                                    than 1%
                               of Patrick Industries, Inc. from
                               1990 through 1998.


Directors to Serve Until the 2005 Annual Meeting:
-------------------------------------------------
Robert C. Timmins, 82 . . .    Retired Vice President and Director of      1987         51,300     1.10%
                               a Musical Instrument Company and
                               CPA and Partner of McGladrey &
                               Pullen (certified public accountants)
                               until 1985.
Terrence D. Brennan, 65 . .    Retired President and CEO of NBD Bank,      1999          9,000     less
                               Elkhart, IN, from 1973 to 1997.                                     than 1%
Larry D. Renbarger,   65. .    Retired as CEO of Shelter Components        2002         16,500     less
                               in 1998.  Currently serving on Boards for                           than 1%
                               Planet Earth, Inc. (retail science and nature
                               Stores), Therm-O-Lite, Inc. (manufacturer
                               of windows), and The Utility Bodywerks
                               (converter of mid-size trucks).

                                       3



                                                                                      COMMON       PERCENT
                                                                          FIRST       STOCK          OF
                                                                          YEAR        OF THE       COMMON
                                  PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION                   ELECTED      COMPANY      STOCK
       NAME AND AGE             AND OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS                  DIRECTOR     OWNED(1)     OWNED
       ------------             -----------------------                  --------     --------     -----
Nominees to Serve Until the 2006 Annual Meeting:
------------------------------------------------

Walter E. Wells, 65  . . .     Retired President and CEO of Schult         2001          9,000     less
                               Homes Corporation and Director of                                   than 1%
                               Pleasant Street, LLC (home builders).
David D. Lung, 56 . . . . .    Former President (Chief Executive           1977         36,056     less
                               Officer) since 1989.                                                than 1%
                               Son of Mervin D. Lung.
John H. McDermott, 72 . . .    Of counsel to the Chicago, Illinois         1969         26,000     less
                               law firm of McDermott, Will & Emery,                                than 1%
                               which firm has been retained by the
                               Company since 1968 for certain legal
                               matters.

- - - - - - -

(1)  Each individual has sole voting and dispositive power over the shares indicated.



                                       4



                PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO 1987 STOCK OPTION PROGRAM

     The Company's 1987 Stock Option Program (the  "Program") was adopted by the
Board of Directors in 1987 and  approved by the  shareholders  in the same year.
The purpose of the Program is to attract and retain highly qualified  persons as
officers and key employees of the Company.

     In 1994,  the  Program was amended to (i) extend the term of the Program to
the year 2004, (ii) increase the number of shares available for grants under the
Program to 600,000,  (iii) change the class of eligible  participants to include
non-employee directors, and (iv) add a per person limitation of 50,000 shares to
the number of shares which may be warded to any  participant  in any year during
the term of the Program to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the
Internal  Revenue Code. In 2001,  the Program was amended to increase the number
of shares available for grants under the Program by 200,000 shares.

     The Board of Directors has now amended the Program,  subject to shareholder
approval,  to extend the expiration date of the Program from May 17, 2004 to May
17, 2014 and to change the non-employee director awards from bi-annual awards of
6,000 shares vesting over a two-year  period to annual awards of 3,000 shares to
vest over a one-year period.

     The  proposed  amendments  will permit the Company to continue to keep pace
with changing trends in management compensation and make the Company competitive
with those companies that offer stock  incentives to attract and keep management
employees and non-employee directors.

     A brief summary of the Program is provided  below,  but is qualified in its
entirety  by  reference  to  the  full  text  of  the  Program  that  was  filed
electronically  with this  Proxy  Statement  with the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission.  Such text is not  included  in the  printed  version  of this Proxy
statement.  A copy of the Program is available from the Corporation's  Secretary
at the address on the cover of this Proxy statement.

ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION

     Under the Program,  the Company may grant stock  options that may either be
incentive  stock  options  or   non-qualified   stock  options,   related  stock
appreciation  rights and stock  awards.  Officers and other key employees of the
company  are  eligible  to  participate  in the  Program.  In  addition,  and in
accordance with the proposed  amendment,  each  non-employee  director  annually
receives a restricted stock award for 3,000 shares of Common stock upon election
to the Board which will vest after one year of  continued  service on the Board.
The previous  agreement  called for each  non-employee  director to  bi-annually
receive a restricted  stock award for 6,000 shares of Common Stock upon election
to the Board which vested after two years of continued service on the Board.

FEDERAL TAX TREATMENT

     The grant of a stock  option is not a taxable  event.  Upon  exercise  of a
stock option,  the participant  will have taxable income equal to the difference
between the fair market value on the date of exercise and the exercise price.

     The  non-employee  directors who receive  restricted  stock awards will not
realize  taxable  income  at the  time of  grant,  and the  Company  will not be
entitled to a tax  deduction at the time of grant,  unless any such person makes
an election to be taxed at the time of grant.  When the restrictions  lapse, the
non-employee  director will  recognize  taxable income in an amount equal to the
then  fair  market  value of the  shares.  The  Company  will be  entitled  to a
corresponding tax deduction.

OTHER INFORMATION

     The closing  price of the Common  Stock as reported on the  NASDAQ/NMS  for
March 16, 2004 was $9.55 per share.

     The affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares represented and
entitled to vote at the meeting is required  for approval of the  amendments  to
the 1987 Stock  Option  Program.  Abstentions  will count as a vote  against the
proposal, and broker non-votes will have no effect on the proposal.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR APPROVAL OF THE AMENDMENTS TO THE
1987 STOCK OPTION PROGRAM.

                                       5



                COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS


                                                      SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

                                                                                          LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
                                                                                          ----------------------
                                                     ANNUAL COMPENSATION                         SECURITIES
                                            --------------------------------------               UNDERLYING         ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION                 YEAR          SALARY ($)   BONUS ($)                 OPTIONS(#)      COMPENSATION ($)(4)
---------------------------                 ----          ----------   ---------                 ----------      -------------------
                                                                                                       
Keith V. Kankel                             2003           72,369        9,000  (1)                - - -              560
Interim President and CEO                   2002          146,801        - - -                     - - -              480
                                            2001          192,638        - - -                    15,000              420
David D. Lung                               2003          326,580       30,900  (1)                - - -              480
Former President and CEO                    2002          328,193        - - -                     - - -              480
                                            2001          312,137        - - -                    37,500              420
Alan M. Rzepka                              2003          188,472       17,000  (1)                - - -              465
Vice President Sales/Marketing              2002          186,550        - - -                     - - -              440
                                            2001          177,777        - - -                     7,500              420
Paul E. Hassler                             2003          138,497       33,803  (2)                - - -              395
Vice President Operations and               2002          135,333       44,478  (2)                - - -              323
     Distribution-West                      2001          128,206       21,243  (2)                7,500              238
Gregory J. Scharnott                        2003          155,040       13,000  (1)                - - -              470
Vice President Operations and               2002          131,308       34,053  (3)                - - -              268
     Distribution-East                      2001           99,188       34,556  (3)                - - -             - - -
Andy L. Nemeth                              2003          163,460       13,000  (1)                - - -              353
Vice President of Finance                   2002          118,163        - - -                     - - -              236
     Secretary-Treasurer                    2001           95,975        - - -                     1,875              192
- - - - - - - - -
(1)      The bonus for the executive  officers was a  discretionary  bonus awarded by the Board of Directors in February
         2003.  This award was based on  management's  efforts to contain  costs as a result of the  December  31,  2002
         operating results.
(2)      The bonus for Paul E. Hassler is related to compensation as an executive  director of Western  Operations.  Mr.
         Hassler was elected Vice  President of  Operations  and  Distribution  West in December  2003 and  subsequently
         elected President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective April 5, 2004.
(3)      The bonus for Gregory J. Scharnott for 2002 and 2001 is related to compensation as an executive director of the
         Midwest regional business units. Mr. Scharnott joined the Company in February 2001.
(4)      Company contributions to 401(k) Savings Plan.



EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS

     The Company  entered  into  Employment  Agreements  with David  Lung,  Alan
Rzepka,  and Paul  Hassler  pursuant to which they agreed to serve as  executive
officers of the Company.  The initial term of each Employment  Agreement was for
three  (3)  years,  subject  to  extension  at the  discretion  of the  Board of
Directors of the Company.  The Agreements with David Lung, Alan Rzepka, and Paul
Hassler  provide for a minimum  annual base salary of  $300,000,  $165,000,  and
$121,940,  respectively,  and  expire  on May  15,  2004.  Extensions  of  these
agreements are under consideration by the Board of Directors at this time.


                        AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FY-END OPTION VALUES


                                                                               NUMBER OF         VALUE OF
                                                                         SECURITIES UNDERLYING  UNEXERCISED
                                                                             UNEXERCISED       IN-THE-MONEY
                                                                            OPTIONS AT FY-     OPTIONS AT FY-
                               SHARES ACQUIRED                                 END (#)           END ($)*
                                ON EXERCISE         VALUE REALIZED           EXERCISABLE /      EXERCISABLE /
NAME                                 (#)              ($) (1)               NONEXERCISABLE     NONEXERCISABLE
----                           ---------------      --------------          --------------     --------------
                                                                                         
Keith V. Kankel . . . . . . .     20,625                $9,734                   0/0                 $0/0
David D. Lung . . . . . . . .      - - -                 - - -              15,337/3,000        $31,636/6,405
Alan M. Rzepka  . . . . . . .      - - -                 - - -              16,500/3,000        $33,915/6,405
Paul E. Hassler . . . . . . .      - - -                 - - -              12,000/1,500        $24,308/3,203
Andy L. Nemeth  . . . . . . .      - - -                 - - -               3,375/500           $6,878/1,068
Gregory J. Scharnott  . . . .      - - -                 - - -                   0/0                 $0/0
- - - -
*    Market value of the underlying stock at exercise date or year-end as the case may be, minus the exercise price of the options.
(1)  Represents  the difference  between the closing price of the  Corporation's  common stock on the date of exercise and the
     exercise price of the option.



                                       6

     The  following  table  presents the number of shares and  weighted  average
exercise  price of equity  compensation  plans  that have been  approved  by the
security holders.


                                                 EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION


--------------------------- ------------------------------- ------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
Plan Category               Number of securities to be      Weighted-average exercise       Number of securities remaining available
                            issued upon exercise of         price of outstanding options,   for future issuance under equity
                            outstanding options, warrants,  warrants, and rights            compensation plans (excluding securities
                            and rights                                                      reflected in column (a)
--------------------------- ------------------------------- ------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
                                                                                                    
Equity compensation plans               244,462                         $6.24                                459,968
approved by security
holders
--------------------------- ------------------------------- ------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
Equity compensation plans                  0                             N/A                                    0
not approved by security
holders
--------------------------- ------------------------------- ------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
Total                                   244,462                         $6.24                                459,968
--------------------------- ------------------------------- ------------------------------- ----------------------------------------


     Certain of the executive officers of the Company have deferred compensation
agreements  which  provide that the Company will pay each of these  employees or
their  beneficiaries  up to 40%  of  their  base  salary  for  120  months  upon
retirement (if the employee continues in the employment of the Company until the
age of 65) or upon the employee's death or total disability,  up to a maximum of
$72,000 per year for Alan M.  Rzepka,  and 25% of base salary up to a maximum of
$25,000 per year for Paul E. Hassler.  David D. Lung former  President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company has a deferred compensation  agreement which is
fully  vested that  provides for payments of $61,500 per year for ten years upon
his reaching age 60. Keith V. Kankel has a deferred compensation agreement which
is fully vested and provides for payments of $72,000 per year for ten years. Mr.
Kankel's  payments  have been  postponed  during  the term that he has served as
interim  President  and CEO of the Company and will resume after his  employment
with the  Company  ends.  The  cost of these  agreements  is being  funded  with
insurance contracts purchased by the Company.

                                       7



                              CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

GENERAL:

     The Board  believes that good  corporate  governance is important to ensure
that the Company is managed for the long-term benefit of the  shareholders.  The
Board annually  reviews its corporate  governance  practices and policies as set
forth  in its  Corporate  Governance  Guidelines,  Code of  Ethics  and  various
Committee  Charters,  all of which were updated over the last year in accordance
with the listing  standards of the NASDAQ  national  market and the new rules of
the SEC.

     Our  Code  of  Ethics,  Audit  Committee  Charter,  Compensation  Committee
Charter,  and Corporate  Governance and  Nominations  Committee  Charter are all
available on our Website at www.patrickind.com, or by writing to:

                               Patrick Industries, Inc.
                               Attn:  Andy L. Nemeth
                               Secretary
                               P.O. Box 638
                               Elkhart, IN  46515

BOARD OF DIRECTORS, COMMITTEES, AND COMMITTEE REPORTS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

     The Board of Directors had six regular meetings and two telephonic meetings
in 2003 and all directors  attended all eight meetings.  Non-employee  directors
are paid an annual  retainer  of  $5,000,  $1,000 for each  board  meeting  they
attend, and $1,000 for each committee meeting that they attend with a maximum of
$2,000 per  combined  event.  Committee  members  receive an  additional  annual
retainer of $5,000,  regardless of the number of committees on which they serve.
Employee  directors  receive no compensation as such. On an annual basis in May,
each non-employee director is automatically granted a restricted stock award for
3,000 shares of the Company's  Common Stock which will vest upon such director's
continued  service as a member of the Board of Directors for one year or earlier
upon certain events.

     The Board and committees  regularly meet in executive  session  without the
presence of any  management  directors or  representatives.  Robert C.  Timmins,
Chair of the Audit Committee,  was designated as the lead  independent  director
for 2004 and will preside over the executive sessions of the Board.

     The  Corporation  expects all Board members to attend the annual meeting of
shareholders, but from time to time, other commitments may prevent all directors
from  attending  each  meeting.  All  directors  attended the most recent annual
meeting of shareholders, which was held on May 15, 2003.

INDEPENDENT DIRECTORS:

     The Board of Directors is comprised of nine (9) members, of which, five (5)
are  classified  as  independent  directors  and thus comprise a majority of the
Board.  The five  independent  directors  are  Robert C.  Timmins,  Terrence  D.
Brennan,  John H.  McDermott,  Larry D.  Renbarger,  and  Walter E.  Wells.  The
independent directors met 6 times in 2003.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE PROCESSES

     The Corporate  Governance  and  Nominations  Committee  will consider board
nominees recommended by shareholders.  Those  recommendations  should be sent to
the Chair of the Corporate  Governance and  Nominations  Committee,  care of the
Corporate  Secretary of Patrick  Industries,  Inc.,  P.O. Box 638,  Elkhart,  IN
46515.  In order for a shareholder  to nominate a candidate for director,  under
the Company's By-Laws,  timely notice of the nomination must be given in writing
to the Secretary of the Company.  To be timely,  such notice must be received at
the principal  executive  offices of the Company not less than 90 days, nor more
than 110 days  prior to the next  annual  meeting  of  shareholders.  Notice  of
nomination  must  include the name,  address  and number of shares  owned by the
person submitting the nomination;  the name, age,  business  address,  residence
address  and  principal  occupation  of the  nominee;  and the  number of shares
beneficially  owned by the nominee.  It must also include the  information  that
would be required to be disclosed in the solicitation of proxies for election of
directors under the federal  securities  laws, as well as whether the individual
can  understand  basic  financial  statements  and the  candidate's  other board
memberships  (if any).  The  nominee's  consent to be elected  and serve must be
submitted.  The Corporate  Governance and Nominations  Committee may require any
nominee to furnish any other information,  within reason,  that may be needed to
determine  the  eligibility  of the  nominee.  As provided in its  Charter,  the
Corporate Governance and Nominations  Committee will follow procedures which the
committee deems reasonable and appropriate in the  identification  of candidates
for election to the board and evaluating the  background  and  qualification  of

                                       8



those candidates. Those processes include consideration of nominees suggested by
an outside  search firm,  by incumbent  board members and by  shareholders.  The
committee  will seek  candidates  having  experience  and abilities  relevant to
serving as a director of the Company,  and who represent  the best  interests of
shareholders as a whole and not any specific group or constituency.

     The committee will consider a candidate's  qualifications  and  background,
including, but not limited to responsibility for operating a public company or a
division of a public company,  international business experience,  a candidate's
technical background or professional  qualification and any other public company
boards on which the candidate is a director.  The  committee  will also consider
whether the candidate would be "independent" for purposes of the NASDAQ National
Market and rules and  regulations of the  Securities  Exchange  Commission.  The
committee may from time to time engage the service of a professional search firm
to identify and evaluate potential nominees.

AUDIT COMMITTEE:

     The Board of  Directors  has an Audit  Committee  comprised  of Terrence D.
Brennan,  Walter E. Wells,  John H. McDermott,  Robert C. Timmins,  and Larry D.
Renbarger  who  are  not  employees  of  the  Company.   The  Audit  Committee's
responsibilities  include recommending to the Board of Directors the independent
accountants to be employed for the purpose of conducting the annual  examination
of  the  Company's  financial   statements,   discussing  with  the  independent
accountants the scope of their  examination,  reviewing the Company's  financial
statements  and  the  independent   accountants'  report  thereon  with  Company
personnel and the independent  accountants,  and inviting the recommendations of
the  independent  accountants  regarding  internal  controls and other  matters.
Additionally,  the Audit  Committee is  responsible  for approving all non-audit
services  provided by the independent  accountants and reviews these engagements
on a per occurrence basis.

     All of the members of the Audit Committee are independent as defined in the
Nasdaq listing standards and Robert C. Timmins, Larry, D. Renbarger, Terrence D.
Brennan, and Walter E. Wells all meet the qualifications required to be an audit
committee financial expert.  Robert Timmins and Larry Renbarger both have public
accounting backgrounds.  Terrence Brennan served as the President of NBD Bank in
Elkhart,  Indiana and Walter Wells was the President and Chief Executive Officer
of Schult Homes.  The Audit Committee met six times in 2003. The Audit Committee
Charter is attached in Exhibit A to this Document.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE:

     The Board of Directors has a Compensation  Committee  comprised of Terrence
D. Brennan, John H. McDermott, Larry D. Renbarger, Robert C. Timmins, and Walter
E. Wells  which met four times in 2003.  The  primary  responsibilities  of this
committee include:

     o   Reviewing and recommending to the independent  members of the Board the
         overall compensation programs for the Officers of the Company.
     o   Review and recommend to the Board of  Directors,  the  compensation  of
         directors.
     o   Oversight authority for the stock based compensation programs.

     For a  more  detailed  list  of  the  roles  and  responsibilities  of  the
Compensation Committee, please see the Compensation Committee Charter located on
the Company's website at www.patrickind.com.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE AND NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE:

     The Board of Directors has a Corporate Governance and Nominations Committee
comprised of Terrence D. Brennan, John H. McDermott, Larry D. Renbarger,  Robert
C. Timmins,  and Walter E. Wells. This Committee met two times in 2003 and their
primary responsibilities are as follows:

     o   To  assist  the  Board  in  identifying,  screening,  and  recommending
         qualified candidates to serve as directors.
     o   To recommend  nominees to the Board to fill new  positions or vacancies
         as they occur.
     o   To recommend to the Board candidates for re-election by shareholders at
         the annual meeting.
     o   To  review  and  monitor  corporate  governance  compliance  as well as
         recommend appropriate changes.

     For a more detailed list of the roles and responsibilities of the Corporate
Governance  and  Nominations  Committee  functions,  please  see  the  Corporate
Governance and Nominations Committee Charter located on the Company's website at
www.patrickind.com.

                                       9



                             AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

     The  responsibilities  of the Audit  Committee,  which are set forth in the
Audit  Committee  Charter adopted by the Board of Directors,  include  providing
oversight to the Company's financial reporting process through periodic meetings
with the Company's  independent  auditors,  principal  accounting  officer,  and
management to review  accounting,  auditing,  internal  controls,  and financial
reporting  matters.  The  management  of the  Company  is  responsible  for  the
preparation  and integrity of the financial  reporting  information  and related
systems of internal  controls.  The Audit  Committee,  in carrying out its role,
relies  on  the  Company's   senior   management,   including  senior  financial
management, and its independent auditors.

     We have reviewed and discussed with senior management the Company's audited
financial  statements  included  in the  2003  Annual  Report  to  Shareholders.
Management  has  confirmed to us that such  financial  statements  (i) have been
prepared with integrity and objectivity and are the responsibility of management
and (ii) have been prepared in conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.

     We have discussed with McGladrey & Pullen,  LLP, our independent  auditors,
the  matters  required  to be  discussed  by SAS 61  (Communications  with Audit
Committee).  SAS 61  requires  our  independent  auditors  to  provide  us  with
additional  information  regarding  the scope and  results of their audit of the
Company's   financial   statements,   including   with   respect  to  (i)  their
responsibility  under generally  accepted auditing  standards,  (ii) significant
accounting  policies,  (iii)  management  judgements  and  estimates,  (iv)  any
significant audit adjustments,  (v) any disagreements with management,  and (vi)
any difficulties encountered in performing the audit.

     We have  received  from  McGladrey  & Pullen,  LLP a letter  providing  the
disclosures   required  by   Independence   Standards   Board   Standard  No.  1
(Independence   Discussions   with  Audit   Committees)   with  respect  to  any
relationships  between  McGladrey & Pullen,  LLP and the  Company  that in their
professional  judgment  may  reasonably  be  thought  to bear  on  independence.
McGladrey  &  Pullen,  LLP has  discussed  its  independence  with  us,  and has
confirmed in such letter that, in its professional  judgment,  it is independent
of the Company within the meaning of the federal securities laws.

     Based on the review and  discussions  described  above with  respect to the
Company's  audited  financial  statements  included in the Company's 2003 Annual
Report to Shareholders,  we have recommended to the Board of Directors that such
financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     As  specified  in the Audit  Committee  Charter,  it is not the duty of the
Audit  Committee to plan or conduct  audits or to determine  that the  Company's
financial  statements are complete and accurate and in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. That is the responsibility of management and the
Company's  independent  auditors.  In giving our  recommendation to the Board of
Directors, we have relied on (i) management's representation that such financial
statements  have been prepared with integrity and  objectivity and in conformity
with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  and (ii) the  report  of the
Company's independent auditors with respect to such financial statements.

     Robert C. Timmins
     Terrence D. Brennan
     John H. McDermott
     Walter E. Wells
     Larry D. Renbarger

             COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     This report of the  Compensation  Committee and the  following  Performance
Graph shall not be deemed  incorporated  by reference  by any general  statement
incorporating  by  reference  this Proxy  Statement  into any  filing  under the
Securities Act of 1933 or under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  except to
the extent  that the  Company  specifically  incorporates  this  information  by
reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.

OVERVIEW

     The  Committee  policy is to design  compensation  programs  for  salaries,
incentive bonus programs,  other benefits,  and long-term incentive programs for
all key  executives,  including the officers  named in the Summary  Compensation
Table.  The goals and  objectives of the Committee are to attract and retain top
quality management employees and ensure that an appropriate  relationship exists
between  executive pay and the creation of shareholder  value. The criteria used
to determine the  compensation of the Chief Executive  Officer will also be used

                                       10



in  determining  compensation  for the other  officers.  The Committee will also
receive  the  recommendation  of  the  Chief  Executive  Officer  regarding  the
compensation of the other officers.

     Federal tax law imposes a $1 million limit on the tax deduction for certain
executive compensation payments.  Because the compensation paid to any executive
office  is  significantly  below  the $1  million  threshold,  the  Compensation
Committee has not yet had to address the issues relative thereto.

SALARIES

     The executive salaries are reviewed annually.  The Committee sets executive
salaries based on competitive market levels, experience,  individual and company
performance,  levels of  responsibility,  and pay  practices of other  companies
relating to executives of similar  responsibility.  The Committee considered the
compensation  levels  of  executives  at  comparable  companies  and  fixed  the
compensation  for the CEO and other executive  officers at levels  approximating
the midrange of such  companies.  The  Committee  includes in its  consideration
comparable  companies  listed in the CRSP Index for lumber and wood products and
other in building products industries. See "Performance Graph."

ANNUAL INCENTIVE

     The Company provides an annual bonus plan for executive officers that gives
them the opportunity to earn additional compensation based on the performance of
the Company.  The Chief  Executive  Officer and the other officers share in this
program  to  achieve   certain  bonus   amounts  based  on  various   levels  of
profitability of the Company.

     Walter E. Wells
     John H. McDermott
     Terrence D. Brennan
     Robert C. Timmins
     Larry D. Renbarger

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

     Neither David D. Lung,  former President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company,  nor Keith V. Kankel,  Interim President and Chief Executive Officer of
the  Company   participated  in  the  final  decisions  with  respect  to  their
compensation.  John H. McDermott is of counsel to the Chicago, Illinois law firm
of McDermott, Will & Emery which provides various legal services to the Company.

                              CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

     The Company leased a distribution  warehouse and various facilities for its
manufacturing  operations from Mervin D. Lung, the Company's  Chairman Emeritus,
until May 2002 when it was  purchased  from Mervin D. Lung for  $2,000,000.  The
Company  also  leases two  buildings  from Mr.  Lung used for  distribution  and
manufacturing, under an agreement expiring on September 30, 2004, with an option
to renew for five years.  The agreement  provides for monthly rental of $25,029,
and the payment of property  taxes and insurance  premiums on the property.  The
Company also leases a  manufacturing  facility  from Mr. Lung under an agreement
that expires on August 31, 2005 and the agreement  provides for monthly  rentals
of $9,146,  and the  payment of  property  taxes and  insurance  premiums on the
property.  The Company also leases three manufacturing  facilities from Mr. Lung
under agreements that expire on March 31, 2004 and July 31, 2004. The agreements
provide for monthly  rentals of $23,410,  and the payment for property taxes and
insurance  premiums on the property.  These agreements  provide for an option to
renew on a month to month basis.  The Company  also leases an aircraft  from Mr.
Lung under an agreement that expires on October 31, 2004. The agreement provides
for  monthly  rentals of  $10,000,  and the payment of  insurance  premiums  and
maintenance on the aircraft.

     Mr. Lung owns a building supply firm which does not serve the  Manufactured
Housing and  Recreational  Vehicle  industries.  The Company  purchases  certain
specialty  items from and sells  products  to such  firm.  During the year ended
December 31, 2003,  purchases  from such firm totaled  $62,837 and sales to such
firm totaled $24,428.

     The Company  believes that the terms of each of the above  transactions are
at least as favorable  as those which could have been  obtained  from  unrelated
parties.

                                       11

                               PERFORMANCE GRAPH*

     Set forth  below is a line  graph  comparing  the yearly  cumulative  total
shareholder  return on the Company's  Common Stock against the cumulative  total
return of the indices  indicated for the period of five fiscal years  commencing
December 31, 1998 and ended December 31, 2003.  This graph assumes that $100 was
invested on December 31, 1998 and that all dividends were reinvested.  The stock
price  performance  shown on the graph below is not  necessarily  indicative  of
future price performance.



                               [GRAPHIC OMITTED]






------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         LEGEND

Symbol            CRSP Total Returns Index for:                 12/1998   12/1999  12/2000   12/2001  12/2002   12/2003
------            -----------------------------                 -------   -------  -------   -------  -------   -------
                                                                                           
[omitted]         PATRICK INDUSTRIES, INC.                       100.0     60.9      38.8     49.0      45.8     58.5
[omitted]         Nasdaq Stock Market (US Companies)             100.0    185.4     111.8     88.7      61.3     91.7
[omitted]         NASDAQ Stocks (SIC 2400-2499 US Companies)     100.0     95.3      65.3    184.9     163.7    193.3
                  Lumber and wood products, except furniture

 NOTES:
     A.   The lines represent monthly index levels derived from compounded daily
          returns that include all dividends.
     B.   The indexes are reweighted daily,  using the market  capitalization on
          the previous trading day.
     C.   If the  monthly  interval,  based  on the  fiscal  year-end,  is not a
          trading day, the preceding trading day is used.
     D.   The index level for all series was set to $100.0 on 12/31/1998.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                       12



                             ACCOUNTING INFORMATION

     The  Audit  Committee  appointed  McGladrey  & Pullen,  LLP as  independent
auditors  to  audit  the   financial   statements   of  the  Company  for  2003.
Representatives  of  McGladrey & Pullen,  LLP are  expected to be present at the
annual  meeting and will be given the  opportunity  to make a statement  if they
desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

     The Audit  Committee  expects to  appoint  McGladrey  & Pullen,  LLP as the
independent  auditors  for the 2004 fiscal year subject to approval of the audit
scope and fees.

AUDIT FEES

     The following table presents fees for professional  audit services rendered
by  McGladrey  & Pullen,  LLP for the audit of the  Company's  annual  financial
statements  for the years ended  December 31, 2003 and 2002, and fees billed for
other services rendered by McGladrey & Pullen,  LLP and RSM McGladrey,  Inc. (an
affiliate of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP).

                                              2003                2002
                                              ----                ----
           Audit Fees (1)                   $130,388            $123,121
           Audit-Related Fees (2)             12,785              18,931
           Tax Services (3)                   46,154              37,080
           All Other Fees (4)                 17,346               5,440


(1)     Audit fees consist of fees for  professional  services  rendered for the
        audit of the  Company's  financial  statements  and review of  financial
        statements  included in the  Company's  quarterly  reports and  services
        normally  provided  by  the  independent   auditor  in  connection  with
        statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.
(2)     Audit-related  fees  are  fees  principally  for  professional  services
        rendered for the audit of the Company's  employee  benefit plans and due
        diligence and technical accounting consulting and research.
(3)     Tax services  fees consist of  compliance  fees for the  preparation  of
        original  and  amended tax  returns,  claims for refunds and tax payment
        planning services for tax compliance,  tax planning and tax advice.  Tax
        service  fees also  include  fees  relating  to other tax  advices,  tax
        consulting and planning other than for tax compliance and preparation.
(4)     Other   services   consisted   primarily  of  consulting   services  for
        compensation strategy and wage comparisons.

     The Audit Committee has advised the Company that it has determined that the
non-audit  services  rendered by the Company's  independent  auditors during the
Company's  most  recent  fiscal  year  are  compatible   with   maintaining  the
independence of such auditors.

     The  Audit  Committee  has  adopted  a  Pre-Approval  policy  for Audit and
Non-Audit  Services  pursuant to which it  pre-approves  all audit and non-audit
services  provided  by  the  independent   auditors  prior  to  each  particular
engagement.  The Committee  has  delegated  authority to its Chairman to approve
proposed services other than the annual audit, tax and quarterly review services
and the Chairman  must report any  approvals to the balance of the  Committee at
the next scheduled meeting.


                                       By Order of the Board of Directors



                                                   ANDY L. NEMETH
                                                      Secretary
April 9, 2004

                                       13



APPENDIX A:

                            PATRICK INDUSTRIES, INC.
                             AUDIT COMMITTEE CHARTER

PURPOSE
-------

         The Audit  Committee is  appointed  by the Board of  Directors  for the
primary purposes of:

         o   Assisting  the  Board of  Directors  in  fulfilling  its  oversight
             responsibilities  as  they  relate  to  the  Company's   accounting
             policies  and internal  controls,  financial  reporting  practices,
             audits  of  the  Company's  financial   statements,and   legal  and
             regulatory compliance, and

         o   Maintaining,  through  regularly  scheduled  meetings,  a  line  of
             communication  between  the Board of  Directors  and the  Company's
             financial   management,    internal   auditors,   and   independent
             accountants.

COMPOSITION AND QUALIFICATIONS
------------------------------

         The Audit  Committee  shall be appointed by the Board of Directors  and
shall be comprised of three or more Directors (as  determined  from time to time
by the  Board),  each of whom shall meet the  independence  requirements  of the
Nasdaq Stock  Market,  Inc.  Each member of the Audit  Committee  shall have the
ability to understand  fundamental financial  statements.  In addition, at least
one member of the Audit  Committee  shall  have past  employment  experience  in
finance or accounting,  professional  certification in accounting,  or any other
comparable experience or background which results in the individual's  financial
sophistication,  including being or having been a chief executive officer, chief
financial   officer,   or  other  senior   officer  with   financial   oversight
responsibilities.

RESPONSIBILITIES
----------------

The Audit Committee will:

(1)      Review the annual audited financial  statements with management and the
         independent  accountants.  In  connection  with such review,  the Audit
         Committee will:

         o   Discuss with the independent accountants the matters required to be
             discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 relating to the
             conduct of the audit.

         o   Review  changes  in  accounting  or  auditing  policies,  including
             resolution  of any  significant  reporting  or  operational  issues
             affecting the financial statements.

         o   Inquire  as to the  existence  and  substance  of  any  significant
             accounting accruals,  reserves or estimates made by management that
             had or may have a material impact on the financial statements.

         o   Review with the independent accountants any problems encountered in
             the course of their audit, including any change in the scope of the
             planned audit work and any restrictions placed on the scope of such
             work,   any   management   letter   provided  by  the   independent
             accountants, and management's response to such letter.

         o   Review with the  independent  accountants  and the senior  internal
             auditing executive the adequacy of the Company's internal controls,
             and any significant findings and recommendations.

(2)      Review with  management and the  independent  accountants the Company's
         quarterly  financial   statements  in  advance  of  quarterly  earnings
         releases.  This  Committee may delegate this function to any one of the
         Audit Committee Financial experts.

(3)      Oversee  the  external  audit  coverage.   The  Company's   independent
         accountants  are  ultimately  accountable to the Board of Directors and
         the  Audit   Committee,   which  have  the   ultimate   authority   and
         responsibility to select, evaluate, and, where appropriate, replace the


                                       A1


         independent  accountants.  In  connection  with  its  oversight  of the
         external audit coverage, the Audit Committee will:

         o   Have the sole  authority  for the  appointment  of the  independent
             accountants.

         o   Approve  the  engagement  letter  and  the  fees  to be paid to the
             independent accountants.

         o   Obtain confirmation and assurance as to the independent accountants
             independence  and  absence of  conflicts  of  interests,  including
             ensuring  that  they  submit  on a  periodic  basis  (not less than
             annually)  to  the  Audit  Committee  a  formal  written  statement
             delineating all relationships  between the independent  accountants
             and the Company.  The Audit  Committee is responsible  for actively
             engaging  in a  dialogue  with  the  independent  accountants  with
             respect to any disclosed  relationships or services that may impact
             the objectivity and independence of the independent accountants and
             for  recommending  that the  Board of  Directors  take  appropriate
             action  in  response  to the  independent  accountants'  report  to
             satisfy itself of their independence.

         o   Meet with the independent  accountants prior to the annual audit to
             discuss planning and staffing of the audit.

         o   Review and evaluate the performance of the independent accountants,
             as the basis for a  recommendation  to the Board of Directors  with
             respect to reappointment or replacement.

         o   Ensure audit partner rotation.

(4)      Oversee  internal  audit  coverage.  In  connection  with its oversight
         responsibilities, the Audit Committee will:

         o   Review  the  appointment  or  replacement  of the  senior  internal
             auditing executive.

         o   Review,   in   consultation   with   management,   the  independent
             accountants and the senior internal  auditing  executive,  the plan
             and scope of internal audit activities.

         o   Review internal audit activities, budget, and staffing.

         o   Review significant  reports to management  prepared by the internal
             auditing  department or the Company's  independent  accountants and
             management's responses to such reports.

         o   Pre-approve all audit and permitted non-audit services.

(5)      Meet  periodically  with  management to review and assess the Company's
         major  financial  risk exposures and the manner in which such risks are
         being monitored and controlled.

(6)      Meet at least annually in separate  executive  session with each of the
         chief financial officer,  the senior internal auditing  executive,  and
         the independent accountants.

(7)      Review  periodically  with the Company's  General Counsel (i) legal and
         regulatory  matters  which may have a material  affect on the financial
         statements, and (ii) corporate compliance policies or codes of conduct.

(8)      Prepare the report of the Audit Committee  required by the rules of the
         Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  to  be  included  in  the  proxy
         statement for each annual meeting.

(9)      Review and  reassess  annually  the  adequacy  of this Audit  Committee
         Charter and recommend any proposed changes to the Board of Directors.

(10)     The audit committee has the authority to engage independent counsel and
         other advisers, as it deems necessary to carry out its duties.

(11)     The  audit   committee  will  review  and  approve  all  related  party
         transactions

(12)     The audit  committee will be responsible  for  establishing  procedures
         related to (i) the receipt,  retention,  and  treatment  of  complaints
         regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters
         and  (ii)  the  confidential,  anonymous  submission  by  employees  of

                                       A2



         concerns  regarding  questionable  accounting or auditing matters.  See
         Company's  Whistleblower  Policy and Procedures  which are published on
         the Company's intranet (internal) website.

(13)     The Company will provide for appropriate  funding, as determined by the
         audit  committee,  in its  capacity  as a  committee  of the  board  of
         directors, for payment of:

         a)  Compensation to any registered  public  accounting firm engaged for
             the purpose of preparing  or issuing an audit report or  performing
             other audit, review, or attest services for the Company;
         b)  Compensation to any advisers  employed by the audit committee under
             paragraph (12) of this section;
         c)  Ordinary  administrative  expenses of the audit  committee that are
             necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties.

(14)     To assist it in the conduct of its responsibilities,  the committee, to
         the  extent  it  deems  necessary  or  appropriate,  may  consult  with
         management,  may seek advice and assistance  from Patrick  employees or
         others,  and may retain legal counsel,  and search firms. The Committee
         has the  authority  to retain and  terminate  any  search  firm used to
         identify  director  candidates  and has the  authority  to approve such
         firm's fees and other terms of retention.

(15)     The Committee shall annually evaluate its own performance.

(16)     In accordance with best  practices,  this charter will be posted on the
         Company's website.

         This Committee shall report regularly its findings and  recommendations
to the Board. The Committee may delegate any of its  responsibilities and duties
to one or  more  members  of the  Committee,  except  to the  extent  that  such
delegation  would  be  inconsistent  with  the  requirements  of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  or the listing  rules of the NASDAQ  national
market.

         While the Audit Committee has the responsibilities and powers set forth
in this  Charter,  it is not the duty of the Audit  Committee to plan or conduct
audits or to determine that the Company's financial  statements are complete and
accurate and are in accordance with generally  accepted  accounting  principles.
This is the responsibility of management and the independent accountants. Nor is
it the  duty of the  Audit  Committee  to  conduct  investigations,  to  resolve
disagreements,  if any, between management and the independent accountants or to
assure  compliance  with  laws  and  regulations  and  the  Company's  corporate
policies.

                                       A3












                                   DETACH CARD

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROXY
                            PATRICK INDUSTRIES, INC.
          1800 SOUTH 14TH STREET, P.O. BOX 638, ELKHART, INDIANA 46515

        THIS PROXY IS BEING SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned  hereby appoints Keith V. Kankel and Andy L. Nemeth, and each of
them, as the  undersigned's  proxies,  each with full power of substitution,  to
represent and to vote,  as designated  below,  all of the  undersigned's  Common
Stock in Patrick  Industries,  Inc.  at the annual  meeting of  shareholders  of
Patrick  Industries,  Inc.  to be  held on  Friday,  May  14,  2004,  and at any
adjournment  thereof,  with  the  same  authority  as if  the  undersigned  were
personally present.

        THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE PROPOSALS BELOW:

1. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the listed nominees.

|_|  FOR all nominees listed                    |_| WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
     (except as marked to the contrary below).      to vote for all nominees
                                                    listed below.

           Nominees: Keith V. Kankel, Mervin D. Lung, Harold E. Wyland

(INSTRUCTION: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, WRITE
THAT NOMINEE'S NAME ON THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW.)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Proposed Amendments to 1987 Stock Option Program. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE
   FOR THE AMENDMENTS.

 |_| FOR                      |_| AGAINST               |_| ABSTAIN

In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business
as may properly come before the meeting.

                  (Continued and to be signed on reverse side.)












                                   DETACH CARD

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         (Continued from the other side)

THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY
THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDERS.  IF NO SPECIFIC DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL
BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS,  AND FOR THE PROPOSED  AMENDMENTS TO THE
1987 STOCK OPTION PROGRAM.

      YOUR SIGNATURE ON THIS PROXY IS YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF RECEIPT OF THE
                     NOTICE OF MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT.

                                     Dated:________________,2004

                                     -----------------------------
                                     Signature

                                     -----------------------------
                                      (Signature if held jointly)

                                     Please sign exactly as name appears hereon.
                                     For joint accounts, all tenants must sign.
                                     Executors, Administrators, Trustees, etc.
                                     should so indicate when signing.

                PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD
                     PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

                                       2



                            Explanatory Note:  the 1987 Stock Option Program
                            as further proposed to be amended is filed herewith
                            pursuant to Instruction 3 to Item 10 of Schedule 14A
                            and is not part of this proxy statement.


                            PATRICK INDUSTRIES, INC.

                               Amendment No. 2 to
                           1987 Stock Option Program,
                             As Amended and Restated

         Section 3(b) is hereby amended,  effective upon shareholder approval at
the annual meeting on May 14, 2004, to change the  non-employee  director awards
from bi-annual  awards of 6,000 shares vesting over a two-year  period to annual
awards of 3,000 shares vesting over a one-year period.

         Section 12 (Term of Program and Amendment, Modification or Cancellation
of Benefits)  is hereby  amended,  effective  upon  shareholder  approval at the
annual  meeting on May 14, 2004,  to extend the  expiration  date of the Program
from May 17, 2004 to May 17, 2014.

         In all other  respects,  the  Program  shall  remain in full  force and
effect.



                            PATRICK INDUSTRIES, INC.
                               Amendment No. 1 to
                           1987 Stock Option Program,
                             As Amended and Restated

         Section 5 (Shares  Reserved  Under the  Program)  is hereby  amended to
indicate that,  effective upon shareholder approval at the annual meeting on May
15, 2001,  200,000 shares are hereby  reserved for issuance under the Program in
addition to the shares previously reserved and currently available.



                            PATRICK INDUSTRIES, INC.

                            1987 STOCK OPTION PROGRAM
                             AS AMENDED AND RESTATED


                  1. Purpose. The purpose of Patrick Industries, Inc. 1987 Stock
Option Program (the "Program") is to attract and retain outstanding  individuals
as officers and key employees of Patrick  Industries,  Inc. (the  "Company") and
its  subsidiaries,  and to furnish  incentives to such persons by providing such
persons  opportunities  to acquire  Common  Stock of the  Company,  or  monetary
payments  based on the value of such stock,  or both, on  advantageous  terms as
herein  provided.  The Program  will also enable the Company to attract and keep
non-employee directors.

                  2.  Administration.  The  Program  will be  administered  by a
committee (the "Committee") consisting of not less than three (3) members of the
Board of Directors  who shall not be eligible to  participate  in the Program at
the time of Committee  action or at any time within one (1) year prior  thereto.
The Committee  shall interpret the Program,  prescribe,  amend and rescind rules
and regulations relating hereto and make all other  determinations  necessary or
advisable for the  administration  of the Program.  A majority of the members of
the Committee shall constitute a quorum and all  determinations of the Committee
shall be made by a majority of its members.  Any  determination of the Committee
under the Program may be made  without  notice or meeting of the  Committee by a
writing signed by a majority of the Committee members.

                  3. Participants.  (a) Participants in the Program will consist
of such officers or other key employees of the Company and its  subsidiaries  as
the Committee in its sole  discretion may designate from time to time to receive
benefits  ("Benefits")  under the  Program.  The  Committee's  designation  of a
participant in any year shall not require the Committee to designate such person
to  receive a Benefit in any other  year.  The  Committee  shall  consider  such
factors as it deems pertinent in selecting  participants  and in determining the
type and amount of their respective  Benefits,  including without limitation (i)
the financial condition of the Company; (ii) anticipated profits for the current
or future years;  (iii)  contributions of participants to the  profitability and
development   of  the  Company;   and  (iv)  other   compensation   provided  to
participants.

                  (b) In  addition,  each  non-employee  director of the Company
shall  automatically  be granted  restricted  stock  awards for 6,000  shares of
Common  Stock on May 17,  1994  (the date of the  Company's  Annual  Meeting  of
Shareholders)  and thereafter  bi-annually  on the date of the Company's  Annual
Meeting of  Shareholders.  These  awards will vest after two years of  continued
service on the Board or earlier  if such  director  dies,  becomes  disabled  or
retires  from the Board at any time at or after age 80, or if there is a "Change
in Control" as hereinafter defined. "Disability" shall have the meaning ascribed
to such term in  Section  22(e)(3)  of the  Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as
amended,  or any  successor  provision.  A "Change  in  Control"  shall have the
meaning set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto.  As new  non-employee  directors
are  elected to the Board  they will also  automatically  be granted  restricted
stock awards for 6,000 shares of Common Stock on the terms set forth above.



                  4.  Types of  Benefits.  Benefits  under  the  Program  may be
granted  to  participants  other  than  non-employee  directors  in any one or a
combination of (a) Incentive Stock Options, (b) Non-qualified Stock Options, (c)
Stock  Appreciation  Rights,  and (d) Stock  Awards,  all as described  below in
paragraphs 6-9 hereof.

                  5. Shares Reserved under the Program. There is hereby reserved
for issuance under the Program Six Hundred  Thousand  (600,000) shares of Common
Stock.  The shares reserved for issuance may be newly issued or treasury shares.
All of such shares  may,  but need not,  be issued  pursuant to the  exercise of
Incentive  Stock  Options.  The maximum  number of shares of Common  Stock which
shall be available  for the award of Benefits to any  participant  in any fiscal
year of the Company shall not exceed 50,000 shares.

                  If there is a lapse,  expiration,  termination or cancellation
of any Benefit  granted  hereunder  without the issuance of shares or payment of
cash  thereunder,  or if shares are issued under any Benefit and  thereafter are
acquired by the Company  pursuant to rights reserved upon the issuance  thereof,
the shares  subject to or  reserved  for such  Benefit may again be used for new
Benefits under this Program; provided,  however, that in no event may the number
of shares of Common Stock  issued under this Program  exceed the total number of
shares reserved for issuance hereunder.

                  6.  Incentive  Stock  Options.  Incentive  Stock  Options will
consist of options to purchase Common Stock at purchase prices not less than one
hundred  percent  (100%) of the fair  market  value of such stock on the date of
grant.  Incentive Stock Options will be exercisable  over not more than ten (10)
years  after date of grant and shall  terminate  not later than three (3) months
after termination of employment for any reason other than disability, retirement
or death.  In the event of  termination of employment by reason of disability or
retirement,  the right of the  optionee to exercise an  Incentive  Stock  Option
shall  terminate  not later than twelve (12) months  after such  termination  of
employment. If the optionee should die while employed, within twelve (12) months
after termination of employment by reason of disability or retirement, or within
three (3) months after any other  termination  of  employment,  the right of the
optionee or his or her  successor  in interest  to exercise an  Incentive  Stock
Option  shall  terminate  not later than twelve  (12)  months  after the date of
death.  The aggregate  fair market value  (determined  at the time the option is
granted) of shares of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options
granted  under the Program are  exercisable  for the first time by a participant
during  any  calendar  year  (under  all  option  plans of the  Company  and its
subsidiary corporations) shall not exceed $100,000.

                  7. Non-qualified  Stock Options.  Non-qualified  Stock Options
will  consist of options to purchase  Common  Stock at purchase  prices not less
than one hundred  percent  (100%) of the fair market  value of such stock on the
date of grant.  Non-qualified  Stock Options will be  exercisable  over not more
than  twelve (12) years  after the date of grant and shall  terminate  not later
than six (6) months after  termination  of employment for any reason other than,
disability,  retirement or death.  In the event of  termination of employment by
reason of  disability  or  retirement,  the right of the  optionee to exercise a
Non-qualified  Stock  Option shall  terminate  not later than twelve (12) months
after such termination of employment. If the optionee should die while employed,
within  twelve  (12)  months  after  termination  of  employment  by  reason  of
disability or retirement,  or within six (6) months after any other  termination
of employment,  the right of the optionee or his or her successor in interest to

                                       2



exercise a Non-qualified Stock Option shall terminate not later than twelve (12)
months after the date of death.

                  8.  Stock  Appreciation  Rights.  The  Committee  may,  in its
discretion,  grant a Stock  Appreciation Right to the holder of any stock option
granted hereunder. Such Stock Appreciation Rights shall be subject to such terms
and conditions  consistent  with the Program as the Committee  shall impose from
time to time, including the following:

                  (a) A Stock  Appreciation Right may be granted with respect to
         a stock option at the time of its grant or at any time thereafter up to
         six (6) months prior to its expiration.

                  (b)  Stock  Appreciation  Rights  will  permit  the  holder to
         surrender  any related  stock option or portion  thereof  which is then
         exercisable  and to elect to receive in  exchange  therefor  cash in an
         amount equal to:

                           (i) The excess of the fair  market  value on the date
                  of such  election of one share of Common Stock over the option
                  price multiplied by

                           (ii) The number of shares  covered by such  option or
                  portion thereof which is so surrendered.

                  (c) The  Committee  shall  have the  discretion  to  satisfy a
         participant's  right to  receive  the amount of cash  determined  under
         subparagraph (b) hereof, in whole or in part, by the delivery of Common
         Stock valued as of the date of the participant's election.

                  (d) Each Stock  Appreciation  Right will be exercisable at the
         time and to the extent the option to which it relates is exercisable.

                  (e) In the  event  of the  exercise  of a  Stock  Appreciation
         Right,  the number of shares  reserved for issuance  hereunder shall be
         reduced by the number of shares  covered by the stock option or portion
         thereof surrendered.

                  9. Stock  Awards.  Stock  Awards will  consist of Common Stock
transferred  to  participants  without  other  payment  therefor  as  additional
compensation  for  services to the Company and its  subsidiaries.  Stock  Awards
shall be  subject  to such  terms and  conditions  as the  Committee  determines
appropriate,  including,  without limitation,  restrictions on the sale or other
disposition  of such shares and rights of the Company to  reacquire  such shares
upon termination of the participant's employment within specified periods.

                  10.  Nontransferability.   Each  Benefit  granted  under  this
Program shall not be transferable  other than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution, and shall be exercisable,  during the participant's lifetime, only
by the  participant  or the  participant's  guardian  or  legal  representative.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the discretion of the Committee, an award of a
Benefit may permit the  transferability  of a Benefit by a participant solely to
members of the participant's  immediate family or trusts or family  partnerships

                                       3



for the  benefit of such  persons,  subject to any  restriction  included in the
award of the Benefit.

                  11.  Other  Provisions.  The  award of any  Benefit  under the
Program may also be subject to other  provisions  (whether or not  applicable to
the  Benefit  awarded  to any other  participant)  as the  Committee  determines
appropriate,  including,  without  limitation,  provisions  for the  purchase of
Common Stock under stock options in installments,  provisions for the payment of
the purchase  price of shares under stock options by delivery of other shares of
Common  Stock  of the  Company  having a then  fair  market  value  equal to the
purchase price of such shares, provisions for the acceleration of exercisability
of Benefits in the event of change of control of the Company, such provisions as
may be  appropriate  to comply with federal or state  securities  laws and stock
exchange  requirements and  understandings or conditions as to the participant's
employment in addition to those specifically provided for under the Program.

                  12.   Term  of  Program   and   Amendment,   Modification   or
Cancellation  of  Benefits.  No  Benefit  shall be granted  after May 17,  2004;
provided,  however,  that the terms and  conditions  applicable  to any Benefits
granted prior to such date may at any time be amended,  modified or cancelled by
mutual agreement between the Committee and the participant or such other persons
as may then have an interest  therein,  so long as any amendment or modification
does not  increase  the  number of shares of Common  Stock  issuable  under this
Program.

                  13.  Taxes.  The Company  shall be  entitled  to withhold  the
amount of any tax attributable to any amount payable or shares deliverable under
the Program  after  giving the person  entitled to receive such amount or shares
notice as far in  advance  as  practicable,  and the  Company  may defer  making
payment or delivery if any such tax may be pending unless and until  indemnified
to its  satisfaction.  When a person is required to pay to the Company an amount
required to be withheld under  applicable tax laws in connection  with exercises
of  Non-qualified  Stock Options or other Benefits under the Plan, the Committee
may, in its  discretion  and subject to such rules as it may adopt,  permit such
person to satisfy the  obligation,  in whole or in part, by electing to have the
Company  withhold shares of Common Stock having a fair market value equal to the
amount required to be withheld.  The election must be made on or before the date
that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined.

                  14. Fair Market Value.  The fair market value of the Company's
Common Stock at any time shall be determined in such manner as the Committee may
deem equitable or required by applicable laws or regulations.

                  15. Adjustment Provisions.

                  (a) If the  Company  shall at any time  change  the  number of
issued shares of Common Stock without new  consideration to the Company (such as
by stock  dividends or stock  splits),  the total number of shares  reserved for
issuance under this Program and the number of shares covered by each outstanding
Benefit  shall be adjusted so that the  aggregate  consideration  payable to the
Company and the value of each such Benefit  shall not be changed.  The Committee
may also  provide  for the  continuation  of  Benefits  or for  other  equitable
adjustments  after changes in the Common Stock  resulting  from  reorganization,
sale, merger, consolidation or similar occurrence.

                                       4



                  (b) Notwithstanding  any other provision of this Program,  and
without  affecting  the  number  of  shares  otherwise   reserved  or  available
hereunder, the Committee may authorize the issuance or assumption of Benefits in
connection with any merger, consolidation,  acquisition of property or stock, or
reorganization upon such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate.

                  (c) In the case of any merger, consolidation or combination of
the Company with or into another corporation, other than a merger, consolidation
or combination in which the Company is the continuing corporation and which does
not result in the outstanding Common Stock being converted into or exchanged for
different  securities,  cash or other property,  or any combination  thereof (an
"Acquisition"):

                           (i) any  participant  to whom a stock option has been
                  granted under the Program shall have the right (subject to the
                  provisions  of the Program and any  limitation  applicable  to
                  such option) thereafter and during the term of such option, to
                  receive upon exercise  thereof the  Acquisition  Consideration
                  (as  defined  below)  receivable  upon such  Acquisition  by a
                  holder of the  number of shares of Common  Stock  which  might
                  have been  obtained  upon  exercise  of such option or portion
                  thereof,  as the  case  may  be,  immediately  prior  to  such
                  Acquisition;

                           (ii)  any  participant  to whom a Stock  Appreciation
                  Right has been granted  under the Program shall have the right
                  (subject to the  provisions of the Program and any  limitation
                  applicable  to such right)  thereafter  and during the term of
                  such right to receive  upon  exercise  thereof the  difference
                  between the aggregate Fair Market Value on the applicable date
                  (as set forth in such right) of the Acquisition  Consideration
                  receivable upon such  Acquisition by a holder of the number of
                  shares of Common  Stock  which might have been  obtained  upon
                  exercise of the option related thereto or any portion thereof,
                  as the case may be,  immediately prior to such Acquisition and
                  the aggregate option price of such option.

                  The term "Acquisition  Consideration"  shall mean the kind and
amount of shares of the surviving or new corporation, cash, securities, evidence
of indebtedness, other property or any combination thereof receivable in respect
of one share of Common Stock of the Company upon consummation of an Acquisition.

                  16.  Amendment  and  Termination  of  Program.  The  Board  of
Directors  of the Company may amend the Program  from time to time or  terminate
the  Program at any time,  but no such  action  shall  reduce the then  existing
amount of any participant's Benefit or adversely change the terms and conditions
thereof  without the  participant's  consent.  However,  except for  adjustments
expressly  provided for herein,  no amendment  may (i)  materially  increase the
Benefits accruing to participants, (ii) materially increase the number of shares
which  may  be  issued,  or  (iii)  materially  modify  the  requirements  as to
eligibility for participation in the Program.

                                       5



                  17. Shareholder Approval.  The Program as amended was restated
by the Board of Directors  of the Company on February  10, 1994.  The Program as
amended  and  restated  and any  Benefits  relating  to the  amendments  granted
thereunder shall be null and void if shareholder approval is not obtained within
twelve (12) months of the restatement of the Program by the Board of Directors.

                                       6



                                    EXHIBIT A
                                    ---------

                  A "Change in Control"  shall be deemed to have occurred on the
first date on which  either (i) any  "person"  (as that term is used in Sections
13(d)  and  14(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  as  amended  (the
"Exchange  Act")),  other than Mervin D. Lung and his affiliates and associates,
becomes the  "beneficial  owners"  (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the  Exchange
Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing at least
25% of the combined voting power of the Company's then  outstanding  securities,
or  (ii) a  majority  of the  individuals  comprising  the  Company's  Board  of
Directors  have not  served in that  capacity  for the  entire  two-year  period
immediately preceding such date, or (iii) a change occurs of a nature that would
be  required  to be  reported  in  response  to  Item  6(e) of  Schedule  14A of
Regulation 14A,  promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor  disclosure
item;  provided,  however,  that if the  transaction,  transactions or elections
shall have been approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Continuing
Directors,  a Change in  Control  shall not be  deemed to have  occurred  to the
extent so provided  by the  affirmative  vote of a majority of those  Continuing
Directors.

                                       7