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, 1997  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:                    No:    X
     AGGREGATE MARKET VALUE OF THE VOTING STOCK HELD BY NONAFFILIATES OF THE
   REGISTRANT AS OF THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON OCTOBER 31, 1997:$9,232,131,416.

(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  5,  1997:
106,690,296.

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

1.       Portions of Ralston Purina Company 1997 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  10,  1997  (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.    At  September  30,  1997,  the  Company's  soy  protein
technologies  business  and its agricultural products business were considered
discontinued  businesses  for  financial  reporting  purposes.

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  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 March 29, 1996, the Company announced its intention
to  separate  its  agricultural  products  business  in a tax-free spin-off to
shareholders.    The agricultural products business, which is conducted almost
exclusively  outside  of  the  United  States,  is  one of the world's largest
producers  and marketers of formula feeds.  Completion is anticipated in early
1998  and  is contingent upon a favorable tax ruling from the Internal Revenue
Service  and  approval  by  the  Company's  Board  of  Directors.

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  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.  With respect to discontinued
soy protein operations, the principal raw materials used are processed soy and
other  proteins,  and  in  agricultural products, grain and grain products and
protein  ingredients.    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.    Sales  prices  of  the  Company's agricultural products, a large
portion  of  the production costs of which are represented by the costs of raw
materials,  are  adjusted frequently to reflect changes in raw material costs.
Prices  of  other  products  are  adjusted  less  frequently.   The ability to
substitute  ingredients in some of these products, such as agricultural feeds,
provides  further  protection  against  fluctuating  raw  material  prices.

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  (as well as the discontinued food protein and
industrial  polymer  products)  are  marketed  in  the  United  States  and
internationally  primarily through direct sales forces.  Agricultural products
are distributed primarily through a network of approximately 3,300 independent
dealers  outside  the  United  States.

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.  In the agricultural
products  business,  the Company competes with other large feed manufacturers,
cooperatives,  single-owner  establishments  and  in the case of many markets,
government feed companies.  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 1995, 1996 and 1997, revenue from the Company's sales of
its  products  to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and its affiliated companies was 6.7%,
10.5%  and  11.9%, 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 14 "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 and Africa.  The rechargeable battery products business is
experiencing  rapid  technological  evolution, particularly within the lithium
area.    These  emerging  rechargeable  technologies  are  expected  to play a
predominant  role  in  the  future  of the rechargeable battery business.  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, 1997 the Company, as a whole, employed 10,060 employees in
the  United  States  and 20,102 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  16,  "Ralston  Purina Company Financial Review-Liquidity and Capital
Resources"  on  page  18,  "Ralston  Purina  Company Financial Review Business
Segment  Information"  on  page  22, "Ralston Purina Company -Business Segment
Information"  on  pages  24  through  26, and "Ralston Purina Company Notes to
Financial  Statements  -  Summary  of  Accounting  Policies  -  Research  and
Development"  on  page  34  of  the  Ralston  Purina  Company Annual Report to
Shareholders  1997,  are  hereby  incorporated  by  reference.

ITEM  2.    PROPERTIES.

A list of the Company's principal plants and facilities as of December 3, 1997
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  FOOD  PLANTS
United  States
Atlanta,  GA
Clinton,  IA  (2R)
Davenport,  IA
Denver,  CO
Dunkirk,  NY
Flagstaff,  AZ
Mechanicsburg,  PA
Oklahoma  City,  OK
Zanesville,  OH

INTERNATIONAL
Cuautitlan,  Mexico
Encrucijada,  Venezuela  (6)(10)
Guatemala  City,  Guatemala  (6)(10)
Innisfail,  Alberta,  Canada
Mississauga,  Ontario,  Canada
Monjos,  Spain
Montfort-Sur-Risle,  France
Mosquera,  Colombia  (6)(10)
Portogruaro,  Italy
Ribeirao  Preto,  Brazil
San  Tome,  Argentina
Songtan,  Korea  (6)(10)
Strathroy,  Ontario,  Canada  (6)

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

PACKAGING  FACILITIES
United  States
Philadelphia,  PA  (8)

INTERNATIONAL
Caledonia,  Ontario,  Canada  (8)

BATTERY  PRODUCTS

BATTERY  AND  RELATED  PRODUCTS  PLANTS
United  States
Asheboro,  NC  (2)(3)
Bennington,  VT
Fremont,  OH
Gainesville,  FL
Garretsville,  OH
Marietta,  OH
Maryville,  MO
St.  Albans,  VT

INTERNATIONAL
Alexandria,  Egypt
Banbury,  United  Kingdom
Bogang,  People's  Republic  of  China
Caudebec  Les  Elbeuf,  France  (2)
Cebu,  Philippines
Ekala,  Sri  Lanka
Jakarta,  Indonesia
Johor  Bahru,  Malaysia
Juarez,  Mexico
Jurong,  Singapore  (3)
La  Chaux-de-Fonds,  Switzerland
Manila,  Philippines
Nakuru,  Kenya  (5)
Newcastle-under-Lyme,  United  Kingdom
New  Territories,  Hong  Kong
Slany,  Czech  Republic  (8)
Tanfield  Lea,  United  Kingdom
Tecamac,  Mexico
Tianjin,  People's  Republic  of  China
Walkerton,  Ontario,  Canada

DISCONTINUED  OPERATIONS
------------------------

AGRICULTURAL  PRODUCTS

FEED  PLANTS
International
Addison,  Ontario,  Canada
Arequipa,  Peru  (2)
Barcelona,  Venezuela
Benavente,  Portugal  (9)
Benavente,  Spain
Bessenay,  France  (1)
Borgoratto,  Italy
Bucaramanga,  Colombia  (2)
Buga,  Colombia
Cabimas,  Venezuela  (1)(9)
Canoas,  Brazil
Cantenhede,  Portugal
Carmo  do  Cajaru,  Portugal  (2)
Cartagena,  Colombia
Chatillon,  France  (1)
Chiclayo,  Peru
Courchelettes,  France
Courtice,  Ontario,  Canada  (2)
Cuautitlan,  Mexico
Dos  Hermanas,  Spain
Drummondville,  Quebec,  Canada
Encrucijada,  Venezuela
Fushun,  Peoples  Republic  of  China  (1)
Gonen,  Turkey
Guadalajara,  Mexico
Guatemala  City,  Guatemala
Ibaque,  Colombia  (2)
Inhumas,  Brazil
Kaposvar,  Hungary
Karcag,  Hungary
Kunsan,  Korea
LaCoruna,  Spain
Langfang,  Peoples  Republic  of  China
Lima,  Peru
Limoges,  France  (1)
Longue,  France
Luleburgaz,  Turkey
Maracaibo,  Venezuela
Maracay,  Venezuela  (2)
Marcilla,  Spain
Maringa,  Brazil
Medellin,  Colombia  (2)
Merida,  Mexico  (1)
Merida,  Spain
Mexicali,  Mexico
Monterrey,  Mexico
Montvendre,  France  (1)
Mosquera,  Colombia
Nanjing,  People's  Rep.  of  China  (7)
Obregon,  Mexico
Palmerston,  Ontario,  Canada
Paulinia,  Brazil
Pommevic,  France
Pulilan,  Philippines
Pusan,  Korea
Recife,  Brazil
St.  Romuald,  Quebec,  Canada
St.  Ybard,  France  (1)
Salamanca,  Mexico
San  Felice,  Italy
Songtan,  Korea  (3)
Sorcy,  France
Sospiro,  Italy
Spessa,  Italy  (2)
Strathroy,  Ontario,  Canada
Tehuacan,  Mexico
Termoli,  Italy
Torrejon,  Spain
Valencia,  Spain
Villasis,  Philippines
Volta  Redonda,  Brazil
Woodstock,  Ontario,  Canada
Yantai,  People's  Rep.  of  China  (7)

HATCHERIES
Valencia,  Venezuela

SOY  PROTEIN

FOOD  PROTEIN  PLANTS
United  States
Memphis,  TN
Pryor,  OK  (2)

INTERNATIONAL
Ieper,  Belgium

INDUSTRIAL  PROTEIN  PLANT
Louisville,  KY

POWDERED  ALPHA  CELLULOSE  PLANT
Urbana,  OH

DAIRY  FOOD  SYSTEMS  PLANT
Hager  City,  WI

OTHER  PROPERTIES
-----------------

RESEARCH  FACILITIES
United  States
Gray  Summit,  MO  (4)
St.  Louis,  MO  (4A)
Westlake,  OH  (4B)

INTERNATIONAL
Tanfield  Lea,  United  Kingdom

MACHINE  SHOP  AND  FOUNDRY
St.  Louis,  MO

MISCELLANEOUS
Thomasville,  NC

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)          20%  to  50%  owned  interests
(2)          Leased; (2R) Leased pursuant to industrial revenue bond financing
(3)          Two  plants
(4)     	    Provides service for Human and Pet Foods; (4A) Human and Pet Foods
             and Soy  Protein  Products;  (4B)  Battery  Products
(5)          Less  than  20%  owned  interest
(6)          Also  produces  feed
(7)          Over  50%  owned  interest  in  Joint  Venture operating facility
(8)          Bulk  packaging  and  distribution
(9)          Held  for  sale
(10)         Pet Products assets at these locations will be included in spin-off
            of Agricultural  Products  business.

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 14 "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 $10.4 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,  50,  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,  53,  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., and responsible for
Ralston  Purina  International  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, 53, 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,  47,  Secretary  and  Division Vice President since 1996;
-------------------
Senior  Counsel  and  Assistant  Secretary,  1994 - 1996.  Company service, 12
years.


Patrick  C.  Mannix,  52, Vice President; President, Eveready Battery Company,
-------------------
Inc.,  Specialty  Business  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, 58, 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,  55,  Treasurer  since  1985;  Division Vice President and
------------------
Assistant Treasurer 1984-85; Assistant Treasurer 1977-85.  Company service, 28
years.

Anita  M.  Wray,  43, Vice President and Controller since April 1994; Division
---------------
Vice  President  and  Director  of  Financial  Accounting Services, 1985-1994.
Company  service,  18  years.


William  P.  Stiritz,  63,  Chairman  of the Board, retired as Chief Executive
--------------------
Officer and President on September 30, 1997; Served as Chief Executive Officer
and  President  since  1982 and as Corporate Officer since 1973; President and
Chief  Executive  Officer  1981-82; Group Vice President, Grocery Products and
Restaurant  Operations  1979-81.    Company  service,  34  years.

Jay  W.  Brown,  52,  resigned  as  Vice  President on December 1, 1997; Chief
--------------
Executive Officer and President, Protein Technologies International, Inc. 1995
to 1997; Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Continental Baking
Company  1985  -  1995  and  Corporate Officer since 1984; President, Van Camp
Seafood  Division  1983-84;  Vice President, Foodmaker, Inc. 1981-83.  Company
service,  27  years.


(Ages  and  years  of  service  as  of  December  31,  1997.)


                                    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,
1997,  there  were  21,553  shareholders of record of the Company's RAL Stock.

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

	     DIVIDENDS  PAID
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>             <C>    <C>

                 1997   1996
                -----  -----
First Quarter   $ .30  $ .30
Second Quarter    .30    .30
Third Quarter     .30    .30
Fourth            .30    .30
</TABLE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
s>                                               <C>                 <C>

				MARKET PRICE RANGE

                                                        1997                1996
                 			                ------------------  ---------------
		
                                                       RAL Stock           RAL Stock
						-----------------    -------------             
First Quarter                                     $    78.00 - 65.50  $    67 - 57.25
Second Quarter                                       87.375 - 71.125      69 - 57.875
Third Quarter                                          87.25 - 74.75       67.75 - 56
Fourth Quarter                                     94.3125 - 80.0625   68.875 - 57.75
</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 14 through 15, of the Ralston Purina Company Annual Report
to  Shareholders  1997,  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 and Subsidiaries Financial
Review"  on  pages  16 through 23 and the information appearing under "Ralston
Purina  Company  - Business Segment Information" on pages 24 through 26 of the
Ralston  Purina  Company  Annual  Report  to  Shareholders  1997,    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  28 through 48, together with the report thereon of Price
Waterhouse  LLP  on  page 27, and the supplementary data under "Ralston Purina
Company  -  Quarterly  Financial Information" on page 49 of the Ralston Purina
Company  Annual  Report  to  Shareholders  1997,    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  5  through  12,  and
information  appearing  under  "Section  16(a)  Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance" on page 22, of the Ralston Purina Company Notice of Annual Meeting
and  Proxy  Statement  dated  December  10,  1997  is  hereby  incorporated by
reference.


ITEM  11.    EXECUTIVE  COMPENSATION.
     Information  appearing under "Executive Compensation" on pages 13 through
16,  "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" on page 16,
"Human  Resources  Committee  Report  on  Executive  Compensation" on pages 17
through  20, "Performance Graphs" on pages 21 through 22, "Stock Ownership" on
pages  7  through  10,  and  the  remuneration  information  under "Directors'
Meetings,  Committees  and  Fees" on pages 10 through 12 of the Ralston Purina
Company  Notice  of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement dated December 10, 1997
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"  on pages 7 through 10 of the
Ralston  Purina  Company  Notice  of  Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement dated
December  10,  1997  is  hereby  incorporated  by  reference.


ITEM  13.      CERTAIN  RELATIONSHIPS  AND  RELATED  TRANSACTIONS.

     Information  appearing  under  "Compensation  Committee  Interlocks  and
Insider  Participation"  on  page  16  of the Ralston Purina Company Notice of
Annual  Meeting  and  Proxy  Statement  dated  December  10,  1997,  is hereby
incorporated  by  reference.

                                    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
hereinabove.

-  Report  of  Independent  Accountants.
-  Consolidated  Statement  of Earnings -- for years ended September 30, 1997,
1996  and  1995.
-  Consolidated  Balance Sheet -- for years ended September 30, 1997 and 1996.
-  Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows -- for years ended September 30, 1997,
1996,  and  1995.
-  Consolidated  Statement of Shareholders Equity -- for years ended September
30,  1997,  1996  and  1995.
-  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 July 17, 1997.
(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)         Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option, effective September 22, 1988.*
(g)        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)     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  November  20,  1997  Non-Qualified  Stock  Option.*

(xv)       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.*

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

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

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

(xvix)          Form  of  Split  Dollar  Agreement.*

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

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

(11)          Statement  re:  Computation  of  Per  Share  Earnings.
(13)          Pages  14  to  48 of the Ralston Purina Company Annual Report to
Shareholders  1997,  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.

2.      A Current Report on Form 8-K was filed by the Company on July 21, 1997
to  file  its  press  release  regarding its third quarter earnings results. A
Current  Report  on  Form  8-K  was  filed  by the Company on July 28, 1997 to
disclose the purchase by underwriters of the Company's 7.0% Exchangeable Notes
Due  2000. A Current Report on Form 8-K was filed by the Company on August 22,
1997 to file its press release announcing that the Company had signed a letter
of intent to sell its Protein Technologies business to E.I. du Pont de Nemours
and  Company.

                                  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  16,  1997

Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below on December 16, 1997, 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.

     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


                       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.