19



                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D. C.  20549
                   -------------------------------------------
                                    FORM 10-K

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

    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998  COMMISSION FILE NO. 1-4582

                             RALSTON PURINA COMPANY
      INCORPORATED IN MISSOURI - IRS EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO. 43-0470580
                 CHECKERBOARD SQUARE, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63164
        REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE:  314-982-1000
                  --------------------------------------------
           SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                         <C>
Title of each class                         Name of each exchange on which registered
------------------------------------------  -----------------------------------------
RALSTON PURINA COMPANY                      NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.10 PER SHARE      CHICAGO STOCK EXCHANGE
                                            PACIFIC STOCK EXCHANGE INCORPORATED
RALSTON PURINA COMPANY                      NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.
COMMON STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS                CHICAGO STOCK EXCHANGE
                                            PACIFIC STOCK EXCHANGE INCORPORATED
5 3/4% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES  NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.
9 1/4% DEBENTURES                           NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.
9.30% DEBENTURES                            NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.
8 5/8% DEBENTURES                           NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.
8 1/8% DEBENTURES                           NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.
7 7/8 % DEBENTURES                          NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.
7 3/4% DEBENTURES                           NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.
7% EXCHANGEABLE NOTES                       NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.
</TABLE>

Registrant  has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of
the  Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and has been
subject  to  such  filing  requirements  for  the  past  90  days.

Yes:    X          No:

Disclosure  of  delinquent  filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not
contained  herein  and  will  not  be  contained,  to  the  best of registrant's
knowledge,  in  the definitive proxy statement incorporated by reference in Part
III  of  this  Form  10-K  or  any  amendment  to  this  Form  10-K.

Yes:          X          No:
      AGGREGATE MARKET VALUE OF THE VOTING STOCK HELD BY NONAFFILIATES OF THE
  REGISTRANT AS OF THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON NOVEMBER 2, 1998:  $10,361,200,607.

(Excluded  from  this figure is the voting stock held by Registrant's Directors,
who  are  the  only  persons known to Registrant who may be considered to be its
"affiliates"  as  defined  under  Rule  12b-2.)

Number  of shares of Ralston Purina Company Common Stock ("RAL Stock"), $.10 par
value,  outstanding  as  of close of business on December 18, 1998: 312,789,226.

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

1.         Portions of Ralston Purina Company 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders
(Parts  I  and  II  of  Form  10-K).

2.         Portions of Ralston Purina Company Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy
Statement  dated  December  11,  1998  (Part  III  of  Form  10-K).

                                     PART  I

ITEM  1.    BUSINESS.

     The  Company,  incorporated  in  Missouri  in  1894, is the world's largest
producer  of  dry  dog and dry and soft-moist cat foods.  It is also the world's
largest  manufacturer of dry cell battery products.  The Company is also a major
producer  of  other  pet  products, including cat box filler.  The Company has a
number  of trademarks, such as PURINA, RALSTON, the CHECKERBOARD logo, CHOW, DOG
CHOW, CAT CHOW, GOLDEN CAT, TIDY CAT, EVEREADY and ENERGIZER among others, which
it  considers  of  substantial  importance  and which it uses individually or in
conjunction  with  other  Company  trademarks.

     The  Company is presently comprised of two Business Segments - Pet Products
and  Battery  Products.

     The  Pet  Products  Segment  consists  of  Ralston  Purina's  worldwide Pet
Products  operations.    Pet Products produces and sells dog and cat foods under
the  PURINA  name,  including  DOG CHOW, CAT CHOW and numerous other dog and cat
food  brands.    Pet Products also produces and sells cat box filler and related
products  under  the    GOLDEN  CAT  name,  including TIDY CAT and other brands.

     The  Battery  Products  Segment consists of the Company's worldwide battery
products business.  The battery products business manufactures and sells primary
batteries,  rechargeable  batteries and battery-powered lighting products in the
United  States  and  worldwide,  principally  under  the trademarks EVEREADY and
ENERGIZER.    The  Company's  domestic  and foreign battery operations have been
organized  as Eveready Battery Company, Inc. and Ralston Purina Overseas Battery
Company,  respectively,  both  wholly  owned  subsidiaries  of  the  Company.

     On  April  1,  1998,  the  Company  distributed  to  its shareholders, in a
tax-free  spin-off,  all  of  the  outstanding  capital  stock  of  Agribrands
International,  Inc.,  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  engaged in the international
agricultural  products  business.

On December 3, 1997, the Company, in a series of mergers and exchanges, sold its
soy protein technologies business,  the world's leading producer and marketer of
high-quality  dietary  isolated  soy  protein  and  fiber food ingredients and a
leading  marketer  of  polymer products, to E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.

     On  December 5, 1997, the Company acquired Edward Baker Petfoods, a British
pet food manufacturer and a major supplier of branded and private label pet food
products  to  the  European  market.

     On  April  7,  1995,  the  Company  acquired  the  assets  of  Golden  Cat
Corporation,  a  manufacturer  of  cat  box  filler  and  related  products.

     On  July 22, 1995, the Company sold all of the outstanding capital stock of
Continental  Baking Company, its subsidiary engaged in the fresh bakery products
business,  to  Interstate  Bakeries  Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary
Interstate  Brands  Corporation.

The principal raw materials used in the Pet Products Segment are grain and grain
products,  protein  ingredients,  meat  by-products  and  clay;  in  the Battery
Products  Segment, the principal raw materials used are manganese dioxide, zinc,
acetylene  black  and  potassium  hydroxide.    The  Company  purchases such raw
materials  from local, regional, national and international suppliers.  The cost
of raw materials used in these products may fluctuate due to weather conditions,
government  regulations,  economic  climate,  or other unforeseen circumstances.
The Company manages exposure to changes in the commodities markets as considered
necessary  by  hedging  certain  of  its ingredient requirements such as soybean
meal,  corn  or  wheat.

Pet  products  are  marketed in the United States primarily through direct sales
forces  and  food  brokers  to  grocery  wholesalers,  retail  chains  and other
customers.    Battery  products  are  marketed  in  the  United  States  and
internationally  primarily  through  direct  sales  forces.

Competition  is  intense  in both of the Business Segments.  In the Pet Products
and  Battery Products Segments, the principal competitors are regional, national
and international manufacturers whose products compete with those of the Company
for  shelf  space and consumer acceptance.  The business of the Battery Products
Segment  tends  to  be  somewhat  seasonal,  with  strong  fall and winter sales
reflecting  the  effect  of  holiday  buying  of  batteries.

     During  fiscal  years 1996, 1997 and 1998, revenue from the Company's sales
of its products to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and its affiliated companies was 10.5%,
11.9%,  and  14.3%  respectively,  of the Company's gross consolidated revenues.
Except  for  this  relationship,  the  Company  was not dependent upon any other
single  customer or a few customers,  the loss of any one or more of which would
have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  the  Company.

     The  operations  of  the  Company, like those of other companies engaged in
similar  businesses,  are  subject to various federal, state, and local laws and
regulations intended to protect the public health and the environment, including
regulations related to air and water quality, underground fuel storage tanks and
waste  handling  and  disposal.   The Company has received notices from the U.S.
Environmental  Protection Agency, state agencies, and/or private parties seeking
contribution,  that  it has been identified as a "potentially responsible party"
(PRP),  under  the  Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,  Compensation  and
Liability  Act, and may be required to share in the cost of cleanup with respect
to  13  "Superfund"  sites.  The Company's ultimate liability in connection with
those  sites  may  depend  on  many  factors,  including  the volume of material
contributed  to  the  site,  the  number  of  other  PRP's  and  their financial
viability,  and  the  remediation  methods  and  technology  to  be  used.

There  has  been  a  shift  within  primary  battery  products  from carbon zinc
batteries  to  alkaline batteries.  As such, the Company has recorded provisions
related  to restructuring its world-wide battery production capacity and certain
administrative  functions  in  each of the last three years.  Alkaline batteries
are  now  the  dominant primary battery in all world areas with the exception of
Asia,  Africa  and  Latin  America.  The Company continues to review its battery
production  capacity  and  its  business  structure in light of pervasive global
trends,  including  the  evolution  of  technology.

As  of  September  30, 1998 the Company, as a whole, employed 8,507 employees in
the  United States and 13,928 in foreign jurisdictions.  The descriptions of the
businesses of, and the summary of selected financial data regarding, the Company
appearing under "Ralston Purina Company-Financial Review-Highlights" on page 14,
"Ralston  Purina  Company-Financial  Review-Liquidity  and Capital Resources" on
page  15, "Ralston Purina Company-Financial Review-Business Segment Information"
on  page  20,  "Ralston Purina Company-Business Segment Information" on pages 22
through 24, and "Ralston Purina Company-Notes to Financial Statements-Summary of
Accounting  Policies-Research  and Development" on page 32 of the Ralston Purina
Company  Annual  Report  to  Shareholders  1998,  are  hereby  incorporated  by
reference.

ITEM  2.    PROPERTIES.

     A  list  of the Company's principal plants and facilities as of the date of
filing  follows.    The Company believes that such plants and facilities, in the
aggregate,  are  adequate,  suitable  and of sufficient capacity for purposes of
conducting  its  current  business.PET  PRODUCTS

PET  PRODUCTS  PLANTS
United  States
Atlanta,  GA
Clinton,  IA  (1R)
Davenport,  IA
Denver,  CO
Dunkirk,  NY
Flagstaff,  AZ
Mechanicsburg,  PA
Oklahoma  City,  OK
Zanesville,  OH

International
Chilton,  United  Kingdom
Cornard  Mills,  United  Kingdom
Cuautitlan,  Mexico
Encrucijada,  Venezuela  (5)
Innisfail,  Alberta,  Canada
Mississauga,  Ontario,  Canada
Monjos,  Spain
Montfort-Sur-Risle,  France
Portogruaro,  Italy
Ribeirao  Preto,  Brazil
Santo  Tome,  Argentina
Veghel,  The  Netherlands

CAT  LITTER  PLANTS
United  States
Bloomfield,  MO
King  William,  VA
Maricopa,  CA


PACKAGING  FACILITIES

International
Caledonia,  Ontario,  Canada  (6)


BATTERY  PRODUCTS

BATTERY  AND  RELATED  PRODUCTS  PLANTS
United  States
Asheboro,  NC  (2)
Bennington,  VT
Gainesville,  FL
Garretsville,  OH
Marietta,  OH
Maryville,  MO
St.  Albans,  VT

International
Alexandria,  Egypt
Bogang,  Peoples  Republic
  of  China
Caudebec  Les  Elbeuf,  France  (1)
Cebu,  Philippines
Ekala,  Sri  Lanka
Jakarta,  Indonesia
Johore  Bahru,  Malaysia
Juarez,  Mexico
Jurong,  Singapore  (2)
La  Chaux-de-Fonds,  Switzerland
Manila,  Philippines
Nakuru,  Kenya  (4)
Newcastle-under-Lyme,  United
   Kingdom
New  Territories,  Hong  Kong
Slany,  Czech  Republic  (6)
Tanfield  Lea,  United  Kingdom
Tecamac,  Mexico
Tianjin,  People's  Republic
  of  China
Walkerton,  Ontario,  Canada  (6)


DAIRY  FOOD  SYSTEMS  PLANT
Hager  City,  WI


OTHER  PROPERTIES

RESEARCH  FACILITIES
United  States
Gray  Summit,  MO  (3A)
St.  Louis,  MO  (3A)
Westlake,  OH  (3B)

MACHINE  SHOP  AND  FOUNDRY
St.  Louis,  MO

ADMINISTRATIVE  AND  EXECUTIVE  OFFICES
St.  Louis,  MO


In addition to the properties identified above, the Company and its subsidiaries
own  and/or  operate  sales  offices,  regional  offices,  storage  facilities,
distribution  centers  and  terminals  and  related  properties.

(1)          Leased;  (1R)  Leased pursuant to industrial revenue bond financing

(2)          Two  plants

(3)          Provides  service  for  Pet  Products  (3A);  Battery Products (3B)

(4)          Less  than  20%  owned  interest

(5)          Also produces feed under a toll milling arrangement with Agribrands

(6)          Bulk  packaging  and  distribution


ITEM  3.    LEGAL  PROCEEDINGS.

     The  Company  is a party to a number of legal proceedings in various state,
federal  and foreign jurisdictions.  These proceedings are in varying stages and
many  may  proceed  for  protracted  periods  of time.  Some proceedings involve
highly  complex  questions  of  fact  and  law.

The  operations of the Company, like those of other companies engaged in similar
businesses,  are  subject  to  various  federal,  state,  and  local  laws  and
regulations intended to protect the public health and the environment, including
regulations related to air and water quality, underground fuel storage tanks and
waste  handling  and  disposal.   The Company has received notices from the U.S.
Environmental  Protection Agency, state agencies, and/or private parties seeking
contribution,  that  it has been identified as a "potentially responsible party"
(PRP),  under  the  Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,  Compensation  and
Liability  Act, and may be required to share in the cost of cleanup with respect
to  13  "Superfund"  sites.  The Company's ultimate liability in connection with
those  sites  may  depend  on  many  factors,  including  the volume of material
contributed  to  the  site,  the  number  of  other  PRP's  and  their financial
viability,  and  the  remediation  methods  and  technology  to  be  used.

In  the  opinion  of  management,  based on the information presently known, the
ultimate  liability  for  all  such matters, together with the liability for all
other pending legal proceedings, asserted legal claims and known potential legal
claims which are probable of assertion, taking into account established accruals
of  $12.6  million  for  estimated  liabilities,  should  not be material to the
financial  position  of  the  Company,  but  could  be  material  to  results of
operations  or  cash  flows  for  a  particular  quarter  or  annual  period.

ITEM  4.    SUBMISSION  OF  MATTERS  TO  A  VOTE  OF  SECURITY  HOLDERS.

     Not  applicable.

ITEM  4.A.      EXECUTIVE  OFFICERS  OF  THE  REGISTRANT.

A  list  of  the executive officers of the Company and their business experience
follows:

W.  Patrick  McGinnis,  51,  co-Chief  Executive  Officer and co-President since
---------------------
October  1, 1997 and Corporate Officer since 1984; President and Chief Executive
Officer,  Pet  Products Group since 1992; President and Chief Operating Officer,
Grocery  Products  Group  1989-92;  Vice  President and President, Branded Foods
Group  1987-89;  Vice  President  and Executive Vice President, Grocery Products
Division  1984-87; Division Vice President, Marketing, Grocery Products Division
1983-84;  Executive  Vice  President  and  Director,  Grocery Products Division,
Ralston  Purina  Canada,  Inc.  1980-83.    Company  service,  25  years.

J.  Patrick  Mulcahy,  54,  co-Chief  Executive  Officer  and co-President since
--------------------
October  1,  1997  and  Corporate  Officer since 1984; Chairman of the Board and
Chief  Executive  Officer,  Eveready  Battery  Company,  Inc.,  since 1987; Vice
President and Director, Corporate Strategic Planning and Administration 1984-86;
Division  Vice  President,  Strategic Planning 1981-84; Division Vice President,
Director  of  Marketing,  Grocery  Products  Group 1980-81.  Company service, 29
years.

James R. Elsesser, 54, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since 1985 and
-----------------
Corporate  Officer since 1985; Vice President, March-September, 1985; Treasurer,
February-September,  1985.    Company  service,  12  years.

Nancy  E. Hamilton, 48, Secretary and Division Vice President since 1996; Senior
------------------
Counsel  and  Assistant  Secretary,  1994  -  1996.   Company service, 12 years.

Patrick C. Mannix, 53, Vice President; President, Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
-----------------
since 1998, and President, Eveready Battery Company, Inc. - Specialty Businesses
since  1995;  Executive  Vice President, Eveready Battery Company, International
1991  -  1995  and  Corporate  Officer  since  1992; Area Chairman, Asia Pacific
operations,  Eveready Battery, 1985-91.  Company service, 34 years, including 23
years  with  Eveready  Battery  Division  of  Union  Carbide  Corporation.

James  M.  Neville,  59, Vice President, General Counsel and Assistant Secretary
------------------
since  1996;  Vice  President,  General  Counsel  and Secretary 1989 - 1996, and
Corporate  Officer  since  1983;  Vice  President  and  General Counsel 1984-89.
Company  service,  13  years.

Ronald  D.  Winney,  56,  Treasurer  since  1985;  Division  Vice  President and
------------------
Assistant  Treasurer  1984-85; Assistant Treasurer 1977-85.  Company service, 28
years.

Anita M. Wray, 44, Vice President and Controller since April 1994; Division Vice
-------------
President  and  Director  of  Financial Accounting Services, 1985-1994.  Company
service,  18  years.

(Ages  and  years  of  service  as  of  December  31,  1998.)


                                     PART II

ITEM  5.   MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

     The  Company's  RAL Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, Chicago
Stock  Exchange,  Pacific  Stock Exchange and has unlisted trading privileges on
the  Philadelphia,  Boston  and Cincinnati Stock Exchanges.  As of September 30,
1998,  there  were  20,763  shareholders  of  record of the Company's RAL Stock.

The following tables set forth dividends paid and range of market prices for the
RAL  Stock  (for  the  year  ended  September  30):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 DIVIDENDS PAID


                       <S>             <C>         <C>
                                       1998        1997
                                      -----       -----
                     First Quarter   $.10*        $.10*
                     Second Quarter   .10*         .10*
                     Third Quarter    .10*         .10*
                     Fourth           .10          .10*
</TABLE>



*Restated  due  to  3-for-1  Stock  Split

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                               MARKET PRICE RANGE
               (Restated as necessary due to 3-for-1 Stock Split)

                          1998                       1997
                          ----                       ----

                          RAL Stock               RAL Stock
                          ---------               ---------

<S>                         <C>                      <C>
First Quarter        32 19/64  - 27 51/64     $  26      - 21 53/64
Second Quarter       35 5/8    - 28 1/2          29 1/8  - 23 45/64
Third Quarter        39 5/64   - 33 9/16         29 5/64 - 24 59/64
Fourth Quarter       38 7/8    - 26              31 7/16 - 26 11/16
</TABLE>


There  have  been  no  unregistered  offerings of registrant's equity securities
during  the  period  covered  by  this  Annual  Report.


ITEM  6.    SELECTED  FINANCIAL  DATA.

     The  summary  of  selected  financial data regarding Ralston Purina Company
appearing on pages 12 through 13, of the Ralston Purina Company Annual Report to
Shareholders  1998,  is  hereby  incorporated  by  reference.


ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
         OF OPERATIONS.

     Information  appearing  under  "Ralston Purina Company-Financial Review" on
pages  14  through  21  and  the  information  appearing  under  "Ralston Purina
Company-Business  Segment  Information"  on  pages  22 through 24 of the Ralston
Purina  Company  Annual  Report to Shareholders 1998,  is hereby incorporated by
reference.

ITEM  7A.    QUANTITATIVE  AND  QUALITATIVE  DISCLOSURE  ABOUT  MARKET  RISK.

     Information appearing under "Ralston Purina Company-Financial Review-Market
Risk  Sensitive  Instruments  and  Positions"  on pages 18 and 19 of the Ralston
Purina  Company  Annual  Report  to  Shareholders 1998 is hereby incorporated by
reference.

ITEM  8.      FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS  AND  SUPPLEMENTARY  DATA.

     The  consolidated  financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries
appearing  on  pages    26  through  48,  together  with  the  report thereon of
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP on page 25, and the supplementary data under "Ralston
Purina  Company - Quarterly Financial Information" on pages 48 through 49 of the
Ralston  Purina  Company  Annual  Report  to  Shareholders  1998,    are  hereby
incorporated  by  reference.

ITEM  9.    CHANGES  IN  AND  DISAGREEMENTS  WITH  ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
            FINANCIAL  DISCLOSURE.

     Not  applicable.

                                    PART III

ITEM  10.    DIRECTORS  OF  THE  REGISTRANT.

     The  information  regarding directors on pages 3 through 6, and information
appearing  under  "Compliance  With  Section  16(a) Reporting" on page 2, of the
Ralston  Purina  Company  Notice  of  Annual  Meeting  and Proxy Statement dated
December  11,  1998  is  hereby  incorporated  by  reference.


ITEM  11.    EXECUTIVE  COMPENSATION.
     Information  appearing  under  "Executive Compensation" on pages 14 through
19,  "Human  Resources  Committee  Report on Executive Compensation" on pages 20
through 22, "Performance Graph" on page 23, "Common Stock Ownership Of Directors
and Executive Officers" on pages 12 through 13, and the remuneration information
under  "Board  Of Directors' - Committees" on page 5 and "Director Compensation"
on  pages  5  and  6  of the Ralston Purina Company Notice of Annual Meeting and
Proxy  Statement  dated  December  11, 1998 is hereby incorporated by reference.


ITEM  12.      SECURITY  OWNERSHIP  OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

     The  discussion  of the security ownership of certain beneficial owners and
management  appearing under "Stock Ownership Information" on page 11 and 'Common
Stock  Ownership  of Directors and Executive Officers" on pages 12 through 13 of
the  Ralston  Purina  Company Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement dated
December  11,  1998  is  hereby  incorporated  by  reference.


ITEM  13.      CERTAIN  RELATIONSHIPS  AND  RELATED  TRANSACTIONS.

     Information  appearing  under  "Certain  Relationships  and  Related
Transactions"  on  page 6 of the Ralston Purina Company Notice of Annual Meeting
and  Proxy  Statement  dated  December  11,  1998,  is  hereby  incorporated  by
reference.


<PAGE>
                                     PART IV

ITEM  14.    EXHIBITS,  FINANCIAL  STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

1.    Documents  filed  with  this  report:

a.    Financial  statements  previously  incorporated  by reference under Item 8
herein.

-  Report  of  Independent  Accountants.
- Consolidated Statement of Earnings -- for years ended September 30, 1998, 1997
and  1996.
-  Consolidated  Balance  Sheet  -- for years ended September 30, 1998 and 1997.
-  Consolidated  Statement  of Cash Flows -- for years ended September 30, 1998,
1997,  and  1996.
- Consolidated Statement of Shareholders Equity -- for years ended September 30,
1998,  1997  and  1996.
-  Notes  to  Financial  Statements.

b.    Exhibits (Listed by numbers corresponding to the Exhibit Table of Item 601
in  Regulation  S-K).

(3i)          The  Restated Articles of Incorporation of Ralston Purina Company,
effective  as  of   February 1, 1996 are hereby incorporated by reference to the
Company's  Form  10-Q  for  the  quarter  ended  December  31,  1995.
(3ii)      The By-Laws of Ralston Purina Company, as amended September 24, 1998.
(4)          The  Rights  Agreement,  effective  as of March 28, 1996, is hereby
incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 8-A Registration Statement filed
on  March  29,  1996.
(4)       The Certificate of Designation of Ralston Purina Company Series A ESOP
Preferred  Stock  dated as of July 30, 1993, is hereby incorporated by reference
to  the  Company's  Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year ended September 30, 1993.
(4)        Ralston Purina Company agrees to furnish the SEC, upon its request, a
copy  of  any instrument defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the
Company  and  its  consolidated  subsidiaries  and  any  of  its  unconsolidated
subsidiaries  for  which  financial  statements  are  required  to  be  filed.

(10)    Material  Contracts.

(i)     The following material contracts are hereby incorporated by reference to
the  Company's  Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  September  30,  1983.

(a)          Form  of  letter agreement dated June 18, 1982, to certain officers
providing  for  deferral  of  bonuses  for  fiscal  year  1982.*
(b)        Form of letter agreement to certain officers regarding Deferred Bonus
Plan.*

(ii)       The following material contracts are hereby incorporated by reference
to  the  Company's  Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year ended September 30, 1985.

(a)          Form  of  Agreement  for  Conversion  of  Deferred  Compensation.*
(b)       Form of Agreement for Conversion of Existing Deferrals over $100,000.*
(c)          Form  of  Agreement  for  Conversion  of  1968  Restricted  Stock.*
(d)          Form of Agreement for Conversion of Benefits under the Supplemental
Death  Benefits  Plan.*
(e)          Form  of  Agreement  for  Deferral  of  1985  Annual  Cash  Bonus.*
(f)          Form  of  Agreement  for  Deferral  of  1985  ITIP Award Accruals.*

(iii)      The following material contracts are hereby incorporated by reference
to  the  Company's  Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year ended September 30, 1987.

(a)          Form  of  Agreement  for  Deferral  of  1986  Annual  Cash  Bonus.*
(b)          Form  of  Agreement  for  Deferral  of  1986  ITIP Award Accruals.*

(iv)       The following material contracts are hereby incorporated by reference
to  the  Company's  Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year ended September 30, 1988.

(a)          Executive  Life  Plan,  as  amended  September  24,  1987.*
(b)          Form  of  Agreements  for  Deferral of 1987 Annual and Special Cash
Bonuses.*
(c)          Form  of  Agreements  for  Deferral of 1988 Annual and Special Cash
Bonuses.*
(d)      Ralston Purina Company 1988 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended January 21
and  March  25,  1988.*
(e)          Personal  Financial  Planning  Program,  as amended July 21, 1988.*
(f)      Executive Health Plan, as amended April 1, 1985, September 24, 1987 and
July  21  and  November  17,  1988.*

(v)     The following material contracts are hereby incorporated by reference to
the  Company's  Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  September  30,  1989.

(a)      Ralston Purina Company Supplemental Retirement Plan, as amended May 26,
1989.*
(b)      Change in Control Severance Compensation Plan, as amended September 21,
1989.*
(c)         Executive Long-Term Disability Plan, as adopted September 22, 1989.*
(d)          Executive  Savings  Investment  Plan,  as  amended  May  25, 1989.*
(e)          Personal  Financial  Planning  Program,  as  amended May 25, 1989.*

(vi)       The following material contracts are hereby incorporated by reference
to  the  Company's  Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year ended September 30, 1990.

(a)          Form  of Management Continuity Agreements, as amended September 28,
1990.*
(b)          Form  of  Non-Qualified  Stock  Option,  effective  May  24, 1990.*
(c)     Form of Agreement for Deferral of 1985, 1986 and 1989 Annual and Special
Cash  Bonuses.*
(d)     Form of letter amending Restricted Stock Awards and Non- Qualified Stock
Options,  as  of  September  27,  1990.*

(vii)      The following material contracts are hereby incorporated by reference
to  the  Company's  Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year ended September 30, 1991.

(a)          Form  of  Split  Dollar  Second  to  Die  Insurance  Agreement.*
(b)      Form of letter amending certain outstanding Restricted Stock Awards and
Non-Qualified  Stock  Options,  as  of  November  21,  1991.*

(viii)     The following material contracts are hereby incorporated by reference
to  the  Company's  Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year ended September 30, 1992.

(a)      Form of letter amending certain outstanding Restricted Stock Awards and
Non-Qualified  Stock  Options,  dated  as  of  September  29,  1992.*
(b)     Form of Agreement for Deferral of 1991 Annual and Special Cash Bonuses.*
(c)          Form  of  Agreement  for  Deferral  of  1991  Annual  Cash  Bonus.*
(d)          Form  of  1991  Non-Qualified  Stock  Option.*
(e)          Form  of  Indemnification  Agreement  with  directors and corporate
officers.*

(ix)       The following material contracts are hereby incorporated by reference
to  the  Company's  Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year ended September 30, 1993.

(a)          Form of Agreement for Deferral of 1992 Annual and Special Bonuses.*
(b)          Form  of  Agreement  for  Deferral  of  1992  Annual  Cash  Bonus.*
(c)          Form  of  Amendment  to  1988  Non-Qualified  Stock  Option.*
(d)          Form  of  Amendment  to  1990  Non-Qualified  Stock  Option.*
(e)          Form  of  Amendment  to  1991  Non-Qualified  Stock  Option.*
(f)       Form of letter amending Restricted Stock Awards, dated as of September
24,  1993.*

(x)     The following material contracts are hereby incorporated by reference to
the  Company's  Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year  ended  September  30,  1994.

(a)     The Agreement and Plan of Reorganization between the Company and Several
of  its  Subsidiaries  and  Ralcorp  Holdings,  Inc.  dated  March  31,  1994 is
incorporated  by  reference  to  the  Company's Form 8-K/A dated April 14, 1994.
(b)          Trust Agreement between Ralston Purina Company and Wachovia Bank of
North  Carolina,  N.A.,  dated  as  of  September  15,  1994.
(c)          Leveraged  Incentive  Plan,  adopted  as  of  September  23, 1994.*

(xi)       The following material contracts are hereby incorporated by reference
to  the  Company's  Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year ended September 30, 1995.

(a)    Deferred  Compensation  Plan  for  Non-Management Directors, as   amended
September  25,  1987,  July  22,  1988, May 25, 1990, October 27, 1992, July 30,
1993,  November  18,  1993  and  August  9,  1995.*
(b)    Deferred  Compensation  Plan  for Key Employees, as amended September 21,
1989,  April  9,  1990,  November  21,  1990,  December 11, 1992, July 30, 1993,
November  18,  1993,  and  November  6,  1995.*
(c)    Form  of  March  23,  1995  Non-Qualified  Stock  Option  Contract.*
(d)    Form  of  September  28,  1995  Non-Qualified  Stock  Option  Contract.*
(e)    Form  of  September  28,  1995  Non-Qualified  Performance  Stock  Option
Contract.*
(f)    Form  of  Agreement  for  Deferral  of  1995  Annual  Cash  Bonus.*

(xii)      The following material contracts are hereby incorporated by reference
to  the  Company's  Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year ended September 30, 1996.

(a)    Form  of  September  26,  1996  Non-Qualified  Performance  Stock  Option
Agreement.*
(b)    Form  of  September  26,  1996  Non-Qualified  Stock  Option  Agreement.*
(c)    Deferred  Compensation  Plan  for  Non-Management Directors, as   amended
September  25,  1987,  July  22,  1988, May 25, 1990, October 27, 1992, July 30,
1993,  November  18,  1993,  August  9,  1995,  and  September  26,  1996.*
(d)    Deferred  Compensation  Plan  for Key Employees, as amended September 21,
1989,  April  9,  1990,  November  21,  1990,  December 11, 1992, July 30, 1993,
November  18,  1993,  November  6,  1995,  and  September  26,  1996.*
(e)    Form  of  Letter  for  Deferral  of  1997  Bonus  Award.*
(f)    Form  of  Agreement  for  Deferral  of  1996  Annual  Cash  Bonus*
(g)    Form  of  Agreement  for Deferral of 1996 Annual and Special Cash Bonus.*
(h)   Deferral of Potential Fiscal 1997 Protein Sr. Management Incentive Award.*

(xiii)     The following material contracts are hereby incorporated by reference
to  the  Company's  Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal  year ended September 30, 1997.

(a)          Form  of  November  20,  1997  Non-Qualified  Stock  Option.*

(b)      Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Employees, as amended, September 21,
1989,  April  9,  1990,  November  21,  1990,  December 11, 1992, July 30, 1993,
November 18, 1993, November 6, 1995, September 26, 1996, and November 13, 1997.*

(c)          Form  of  Letter  of  Deferral  of  1998  Bonus  Award.*

(d)          Form  of  Agreement  for  Deferral  of  1997  Annual  Cash  Bonus.*

(e)        Form of Agreement for Deferral of 1997 Annual and Special Cash Bonus.

(f)          Form  of  Split  Dollar  Agreement.*

(g)          1996 Leveraged Incentive Plan, adopted as of September 26, 1996 and
amended  September  25,  1997.*

(h)     Resolution adopted September 26, 1996 amending Options granted September
28,  1995.*

(i)       Agreement and Plan of Merger and Exchange by and among E.I. du Pont de
Nemours  and Company, Ralston Purina Company, Protein Technologies International
Holdings,  Inc.  and  Other Parties Named Therein, dated as of December 2, 1997.

(xiv)          Form  of  September  24,  1998  Non-Qualified  Stock  Option*

(xv)          Form  of  Letter  of  Deferral  of  1999  Bonus  Award*

(xvi)          Form  of  Agreement  for  Deferral  of  1998  Annual  Cash Bonus*

(xvii)         1998 Leveraged Incentive Plan, adopted effective October 1, 1998*

(xvii)        Form of Letter of Deferral of 1996 Leveraged Incentive Plan Award*

(xviii)          Agreement  and Plan of Reorganization dated as of April 1, 1998
between  Ralston  Purina  Company  and  Agribrands  International,  Inc.

(xix)          Form  of  Indemnification Agreement dated October 1, 1997 between
Ralston  Purina  Company  and  William  P.  Stiritz*
(xx)     Resolution dated March 19, 1998 amending Fixed Benefit Option provision
of  the  Deferred  Compensation  Plan  for  Non-Management  Directors*

(xxi)          Resolution  dated  March  19,  1998 amending Fixed Benefit Option
provision  of  the  Deferred  Compensation  Plan  for  Key  Employees.*

(xxii)     Ralston Purina Company Executive Health Plan as amended September 24,
1998*

(xxiii)      Voluntary Enhanced Retirement Offer for Certain Corporate Employees
dated  September  24,  1998*

(xxiv)          Ralston  Purina  Company  Executive  Retiree  Life  Plan*

(xxv)       Resolution dated May 28, 1998 regarding repayment of gain provisions
in  outstanding  non-qualified  option  awards  held  by  Corporate  Officers.

(13)          Pages  12  to  49  of  the Ralston Purina Company Annual Report to
Shareholders  1998,  which  are  incorporated  herein  by  reference,  are filed
herewith.
(21)          Subsidiaries  of  the  Registrant.
(23)          Consent  of  Independent  Accountants.
(27)          Financial  Data  Schedule.

*  Denotes  a  management  contract  or  compensatory  plan  or  arrangement.

                        FINANCIAL STATEMENT AND SCHEDULES

The  consolidated  financial statements of the Registrant have been incorporated
by reference under Item 8.  Financial statements of the Registrant's 50% or less
owned  companies  have  been  omitted  because,  in  the aggregate, they are not
significant.

Schedules  not included have been omitted because they are not applicable or the
required  information  is  shown  in  the financial statements or notes thereto.


                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant  to  the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act  of  1934,  the  Registrant  has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly  authorized.

          RALSTON  PURINA  COMPANY


By:  J.P.  Mulcahy                   By:    W.P. McGinnis
     -------------------                    -----------------
     J.P.  Mulcahy                          W.P.  McGinnis
co-Chief  Executive  Officer            co-Chief  Executive  Officer
and  co-President                       and  co-President

Date:          December  22,  1998

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has  been  signed below on December 22, 1998, by the following persons on behalf
of  the  registrant  in  the  capacities  indicated.


SIGNATURE                    TITLE
---------                    -----

     W.  P.  McGinnis
-----------------------------         co-Chief  Executive  Officer  and
     W.P.  McGinnis                   President

     J.  P.  Mulcahy
---------------------------           co-Chief  Executive  Officer  and
     J.P.  Mulcahy                    President

     James  R.  Elsesser
-------------------------------       Vice  President  and  Chief
     James  R.  Elsesser              Financial  Officer

     Anita  M.  Wray
-------------------------------       Vice  President  and  Controller
     Anita  M.  Wray

     William  P.  Stiritz
-------------------------------       Chairman  of  the  Board
     William  P.  Stiritz             of Directors

     David  R.  Banks
-------------------------------        Director
     David  R.  Banks

     John  H.  Biggs
------------------------------         Director
     John  H.  Biggs

     Donald  Danforth,  Jr.
------------------------------         Director
     Donald  Danforth,  Jr.


<PAGE>
     William  H.  Danforth
-------------------------------        Director
      William  H.  Danforth

     David  C.  Farrell
-------------------------------        Director
     David  C.  Farrell

     M.  Darrell  Ingram
------------------------------         Director
     M.  Darrell  Ingram

     Richard  A.  Liddy
------------------------------         Director
     Richard  A.  Liddy

     John  F.  McDonnell
------------------------------         Director
     John  F.  McDonnell

     Katherine  D.  Ortega
------------------------------         Director
     Katherine  D.  Ortega