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: December 15, 1998
                       -----------------------------------

                 CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
         --------------------------------------------------------------
                  (Originator of the Trust referred to herein)
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                     CHASE MANHATTAN AUTO OWNER TRUST 1997-A
                  --------------------------------------------
                      (Issuer with respect to Certificates)


       Delaware              333-7575                13-2633612
      ---------------     -----------------       ------------------
      (State or other      (Commission             (IRS Employer
      jurisdiction of      File Number)          Identification No.)
      incorporation)


      802 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, Delaware          19801
      -------------------------------------------       ----------
      (Address of principal executive offices)          (Zip code)


                                (302) 575-5033
             ---------------------------------------------------
             (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


                                      
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Item 5. Other Events

    On 12/15/98 Chase Manhattan Auto Owner Trust 1997-A (the "Trust") made 
distributions  to Certificateholders  contemplated  by the Sale and  
Servicing Agreement, dated as of February 28, 1997, (the "Sale & Servicing 
Agreement"), between the  Registrant,  as Seller and  Servicer,  and 
the Trust, as Issuer.

    A copy of the  Certificateholder  Report for such  Distribution Date
delivered pursuant  to section 5.8 of the Sale and Servicing Agreement is
being filed as Exhibit 20.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.


Item 7 (c). Exhibits
            --------

  Exhibit   Description
  -------   -----------

  20.1      Monthly Certificateholder's statement with respect to the
            December 15, 1998 distribution.



<PAGE>

                              SIGNATURES
                              ----------



      Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
Bank has  caused  this  report  to be signed  on its  behalf by the  undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.



                                            CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA,
                                            NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                            /s/ Patricia Garvey
                                            -----------------------------
                                            By:    Patricia Garvey
                                            Title: Vice President




Date:  January 13, 1999




                      
<PAGE>

                              INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                              -----------------
                                                              
                                                              
   Exhibit                         Description                 
   -------                         -----------                 

     20.1                Certificateholder Reports dated        
                         1/5/1999 delivered pursuant to
                         Section 5.8 of the Sale and 
                         Servicing  Agreement dated as of 
                         February 28, 1997.