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                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON DC 20549

                                 _____________

                                   FORM 8-K

                                CURRENT REPORT
                    PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


      Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)  October 18, 1999
                                                        ----------------


                                 ROWECOM INC.
                                 ------------
              (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

          DELAWARE                0-21379                04-3370008
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
(State or Other Jurisdiction    (Commission            (IRS Employer
     of Incorporation)          File Number)           Identification No.)

                  725 Concord Street, Cambridge, MA     02138
                  -------------------------------------------
              (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)


      Registrant's telephone number, including area code  (617) 497-5800
                                                          --------------
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                                      -2-

     Item 2.  Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.
              ------------------------------------

          On October 4, 1999, RoweCom Inc. ("RoweCom") acquired (i) all of the
     issued and outstanding capital stock of Dawson, Inc., a Delaware
     corporation, (other than Electronic Online Systems International, Inc. and
     Quality Books, Inc.) and (ii) certain assets of U.K.-based Dawson
     Information Services Group from its publicly held parent, Dawson Holdings
     Plc ("Dawson"), pursuant to an Agreement (the "Agreement").  The assets
     acquired were the subscription businesses of the Information Services Group
     of Dawson operating in Canada, France, Spain and the United Kingdom and the
     book business of the Information Services Group of Dawson operating in
     Canada.  The acquisition is being accounted for under the purchase method
     of accounting.

          The aggregate consideration paid by RoweCom to Dawson consisted of
     approximately $56 million in cash and shares of RoweCom's Common Stock
     (each subject to certain post-closing adjustments as provided in the
     Agreement).  The terms of the Agreement were determined in arm's-length
     negotiations between RoweCom and Dawson. The cash portion of the purchase
     price came from the proceeds of RoweCom's initial public offering which
     closed on March 12, 1999 and its preferred stock financing which closed
     in December of 1998.

          All other information required by Item 2 is set forth in the Agreement
     filed as Exhibit 2.1 hereto and the registrant's press releases filed as
     Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2 hereto, respectively, and is incorporated herein by
     reference.

     Item 7.  Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and
              ---------------------------------------------------------
              Exhibits.
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     (a)  Financial Statements of Business Acquired.
          -----------------------------------------

     In accordance with Item 7(a)(4) of Form 8-K, the financial statements
     required by this Item 7(a) of Form 8-K and Rule 3-05(b) of Regulation S-X
     will be filed by amendment to this initial report no later than 60 days
     after the date of the filing of this report.

     (b)  Pro Forma Financial Information.
          -------------------------------

     In accordance with Item 7(b)(2) of Form 8-K, the pro forma financial
     information required by this Item 7(b) of Form 8-K will be filed by
     amendment to this initial report no later than 60 days after the date of
     the filing of this report.

     (c)  Exhibits.
          --------

     Exhibit 2,  Agreement, dated as of September 16, 1999, by and among Dawson,
                 RoweCom, the Vendors and the Purchasers (each defined therein).

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                                      -3-

                    (Does not include Exhibits or Disclosure Schedules. RoweCom
                    will furnish a copy of any such omitted exhibit or schedule
                    to the Commission upon request.)

     Exhibit 99.1,  Press Release of RoweCom announcing the completion of the
                    acquisition of Dawson Information Services Group

     Exhibit 99.2,  Press Release of RoweCom announcing the signing of an
                    agreement with respect to RoweCom's proposed acquisition of
                    Dawson Information Services Group
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                                      -4-

                                  SIGNATURES

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

                         ROWECOM INC.


                         By:  /s/ Richard R. Rowe
                              ----------------------------
                              Richard R. Rowe
                              President and
                              Chief Executive Officer

Dated:  October 18, 1999

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                                 EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.         Description
----------          -----------

 2.1           Agreement, dated as of September 16, 1999, by and among RoweCom
               Inc., Dawson Holdings Plc, the Vendors and the Purchasers (as
               defined therein).

 99.1          Press Release of RoweCom announcing the completion of the
               acquisition of Dawson Information Services Group.

 99.2          Press Release of RoweCom announcing the signing of an agreement
               with respect to RoweCom's proposed acquisition of Dawson
               Information Services Group.