<PAGE>
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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

                                    FORM 8-K


                                 CURRENT REPORT

                                 

                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

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

DATE OF REPORT:  MARCH 9, 1994


                               ZAPATA CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



         DELAWARE                        1-4219                  C-74-1339132
(State or other jurisdiction      (Commission File No.)       (I.R.S. Employee
      of incorporation)                                      Identification No.)


                P.O. BOX 4240
                HOUSTON, TEXAS                                   77210-4240
   (Address of principal executive offices)                      (Zip Code)


                                 (713) 940-6100
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


                                 NOT APPLICABLE
         (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)