&lt;PANTRY INC> INB TALKS ON BEING ACQUIRED

  Privately-held Pantry Inc, which
  operates 477 convenience stores in five Southeastern states,
  said it has engaged Alex. Brown and Sons Inc &lt;ABSB> to explore
  a possbile sale of the company.
      It said it expects to start talks with prospective
  acquirers shortly. The company said it has been approached by a
  number of parties in recent months.
  

