Thank´s for your reply. :-D
The audio files in the folder are still there and are in 96 kHz.
Yes, "copy audio with project" is checked :-)
I just gave it another try. Still the same. New 96 kHz project, import, playback, editing.. all fine. Close the project, reopen it: all tracks empty and projects sample rate is back to 48 kHz. 96 kHz audio files still in the audio folder