14




                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 10Q

               QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                      For Quarter Ended December 31, 1997

                          Commission File No. 1-4582


                            RALSTON PURINA COMPANY
                            ----------------------
          -----------------------------------------------------------
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

               MISSOURI                              43-0470580
         ------------------------------------------------------------
     (State  of  Incorporation)          (I.R.S.  Employer Identification No.)

              CHECKERBOARD  SQUARE,  ST.  LOUIS  MISSOURI  63164
         ------------------------------------------------------------
     (Address  of  principal  executive  offices)          (Zip  Code)

                                (314) 982-1000
         ------------------------------------------------------------
             (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Registrant  (1)  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  (2)  has  been  subject  to  such  filing  requirements  for the
past  90  days.

     YES:      X          NO:    _____
             -----

Number  of  shares of Ralston Purina common stock, $.10 par value, outstanding
as  of  the  close  of  business  on    February  6,  1998:    107,154,946.
                                      --------------------


<PAGE>
PART  I  -  FINANCIAL  INFORMATION

                            RALSTON PURINA COMPANY
                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
                           OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                      (in millions except per share data)
       ----------------------------------------------------------------

OPERATING  RESULTS

Net  earnings  for  the  three  months ended December 31, 1997 were $857.8, or
$8.35  and  $7.80  per  share  on  a  basic  and  diluted basis, respectively.
Included  in  net earnings for the current quarter is an after-tax gain on the
sale  of  Soy  Protein  Products  of $705.1 (pre-tax gain of $1.1 billion) and
income  from  discontinued  operations  of  $15.7.    The Soy Protein Products
business  was sold to E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont) on December
3,  1997.  Discontinued operations consist of Soy Protein Products through the
sale  date and Agricultural Products, which will be spun off during 1998.  The
fiscal 1997 first quarter net earnings of $137.4, or $1.32 and $1.23 per share
on a basic and diluted basis, respectively, include earnings from discontinued
operations  of  $23.1.

Earnings  from  continuing operations increased $22.7 in the quarter to $137.0
compared  to $114.3 for the same period in the prior year.  Earnings increased
primarily  on  higher  operating earnings in both the Pet Products and Battery
Products  segments.    Earnings  per  share from continuing operations for the
quarter  ended  December  31, 1997 were $1.31 and $1.24 on a basic and diluted
basis,  respectively,  compared  to  $1.09  and  $1.02  a  year  ago.


RESULTS  OF  CONTINUING  OPERATIONS

Net  sales  increased 4.5% in the quarter ended December 31, 1997 on increased
Pet  Products  sales.  See the following section for comments on sales changes
by  Business  Segment.

Gross  profit  as  a  percentage  of  sales  was  50.8% in the current quarter
compared  to  48.8% in the prior year first quarter.  The increased percentage
in the current quarter reflects increases in both the Pet Products and Battery
Products  segments  and  increased  sales  in  the  higher margin Pet Products
segment.    Pet  Products' margins were unfavorably impacted in the prior year
quarter  by  higher  grain  prices  as  price  increases  were insufficient to
maintain  historical  margin  levels.

Selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses increased 3.2% in the current
quarter  due  to  increases  in  Pet  Products.      Selling,  general  and
administrative expenses were 17.7% and 17.9% of sales in the current and prior
year  first  quarters,  respectively.

Advertising and promotion expense increased 6.6% in the current quarter due to
higher  advertising  expenditures and promotion support in Pet Products.  As a
percentage  of  sales,  advertising  and  promotion  expense  was 14.5% in the
current  quarter  and  14.2%  a  year  ago.    Other  income/expense, net, was
unfavorable  by  $3.3  for the quarter primarily due to higher translation and
exchange  losses in the Asia Pacific and South and Central American regions in
the  current  quarter.

Income  taxes,  which  include federal, state and foreign taxes, were 36.2% of
pre-tax  earnings  before  equity earnings for the current quarter compared to
37.2%  in  the  prior  year.


BUSINESS  SEGMENTS

Sales  for  the  Pet  Products segment increased 9.5% in the quarter on higher
volumes  and pricing.  Operating profit increased significantly in the quarter
on  higher  pet  food  volume  and  lower ingredient costs.  This increase was
partially  offset  by  higher  advertising expenditures and promotion support.

Sales  for the Battery Products segment were flat in the quarter over the same
period  in the prior year.   Increased volumes and improved product mix in the
United States and higher volumes in the rechargeable business and in South and
Central  America resulted in sales increases.  However, sales declined in Asia
Pacific  due  to  Asian  currency  devaluations,  despite significantly higher
volumes  and  pricing  adjustments  in  the  region.  In addition, unfavorable
pricing  and  product  mix  in  Europe  resulted  in  sales  declines.

Battery  Products'  operating  profit  increased  in  the  quarter  on  strong
performance  in  North  America  and  improved  results  in  the  rechargeable
business.    The  rechargeable  business  results  reflect  cost reductions in
addition  to  higher  volumes.   Asia Pacific results were off slightly in the
quarter  as  significantly  higher  volumes,  pricing  adjustments  and  cost
reductions  were offset by the effects of various Asian currency devaluations.

Results  from  discontinued  operations  decreased in the quarter due to lower
earnings for Agricultural Products and Soy Protein Products, which was sold on
December  3,  1997.    Agricultural  Products  earnings decreased due to lower
earnings  in  Europe  and exchange losses from the effects of various currency
devaluations  in  Asia  and  Latin  America.


MARKET  RISKS

The  recent economic crises in the Asia Pacific region, accompanied by various
currency  devaluations,  represent a material change in the market risks faced
by  the Company in this region.  The Company's Asia Pacific operations consist
primarily  of  the  Battery  Products  segment.  The Company has manufacturing
facilities  in  this  region whose products are both sold locally and exported
outside  the  region.  In addition, the Company sources its raw materials from
within and outside the region.  Market risks include the risk of loss of value
in  the  Company's  net investment in the Asia Pacific region as well as lower
dollar  profits  for  the  operations  in  that  region  and increased foreign
exchange  losses.

The  depth  and  duration  of  the  crises  in the Asia Pacific region and its
economic effects on the Company are still uncertain.  Management will continue
to  pursue  appropriate  actions,  as market conditions allow, to mitigate the
impact  of  the  various  Asian  currency devaluations throughout fiscal 1998.
However,  the  Company  expects  the  impact on its future earnings to be more
significant  as  certain  Asian currencies have continued to devalue since the
end  of  the  first  quarter.

RESTRUCTURING  ACTIVITIES

During  the  quarter  ended December 31, 1997, approximately 60 employees were
terminated  and  cash  exit  costs  of   $5.2 were incurred in connection with
restructuring  accruals  established  by  the  Company  in  fiscal  year 1997.
These  provisions  were  primarily related to the continued rationalization of
Battery Products' production capacity and business structure.  At December 31,
1997,  the  restructuring  reserve  balance  was  $61.1.


FINANCIAL  CONDITION

The  Company's    primary  source  of  liquidity  is  cash flow generated from
operations.    For  the  quarter  ended  December  31,  1997,   cash flow from
continuing operations was $132.7 compared to $153.4 in the prior year quarter.
The  decrease  in cash flow in the current quarter results from increased cash
earnings,  more  than  offset  by  changes in working capital items, primarily
increased  accounts  receivable.

Working  capital  was  $318.3 at December 31, 1997 and $289.7 at September 30,
1997.    The  increase  in  working  capital  is  due  to  increased  accounts
receivable,  largely  offset  by increases in notes payable, accounts payable,
and  other  current  liabilities.

Cash  used  by  investing activities increased from $54.8 in the quarter ended
December  31,  1996  to $293.2 in the current quarter.  The primary reason for
this  increase  was the December 1997 acquisition of Edward Baker Petfoods for
$182.5.


<PAGE>
During the current quarter, the Company used the proceeds from the issuance of
short-term  debt  primarily  for  the  acquisition  of  Edward Baker Petfoods.

In  December  1997,  the  Company  sold its Soy Protein Products operations to
DuPont  for  $1,554.2, comprised of 22.5 million shares of DuPont common stock
(which  stock  was  valued at $1,399.2 at purchase date) and the assumption of
certain  liabilities.  This non-cash transaction resulted in an after-tax gain
of  $705.1.

As  of  January  30,  1998,  approximately 1,130,400 shares remained under the
Board  of  Directors' authorization for the purchase of up to 3 million shares
of    RAL  Stock.


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
                  (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


                                             QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                             --------------------------


                                                   1997       1996

<S>                                              <C>        <C>


Net Sales                                        $1,317.1   $1,260.5 
                                                 ---------  ---------

Costs and Expenses
  Cost of products sold                             648.2      645.4 
  Selling, general and administrative               233.3      226.1 
  Advertising and promotion                         190.4      178.6 
  Interest expense                                   46.3       44.2 
  Other (income)/expense, net                        (0.2)      (3.5)
                                                  --------  ---------
                                                  1,118.0    1,090.8 
                                                 ---------  ---------

Earnings from Continuing Operations before
  Income Taxes and Equity Earnings                  199.1      169.7 

Income Taxes                                        (72.1)     (63.2)

Equity Earnings, Net of Taxes                        10.0        7.8 
                                                 ---------  ---------

Earnings from Continuing Operations                 137.0      114.3 

Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations            15.7       23.1 

Gain on Sale of Discontinued Operations             705.1          - 
                                                 ---------  ---------

Net Earnings                                        857.8      137.4 

Preferred Stock Dividend, Net of Taxes               (3.1)      (3.4)
                                                 ---------  ---------

Earnings Available to Common Shareholders        $  854.7   $  134.0 
                                                 =========  =========


Earnings Per Share
    Basic
      Earnings from continuing operations        $   1.31   $   1.09 
      Net earnings from discontinued operations      0.15       0.23 

<PAGE>

      Gain on sale of discontinued operations        6.89          - 
                                                 ---------  ---------
      Net Earnings                               $   8.35   $   1.32 
                                                 =========  =========

    Diluted
      Earnings from continuing operations        $   1.24   $   1.02 
      Net earnings from discontinued operations      0.14       0.21 
      Gain on sale of discontinued operations        6.42          - 
                                                 ---------  ---------
      Net Earnings                               $   7.80   $   1.23 
                                                 =========  =========
</TABLE>




           See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.




<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                   (CONDENSED)
                              (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)

                                                    DECEMBER 31,  SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                    ------------  -------------


                                                         1997          1997
                                                    ------------  -------------
              ASSETS
<S>                                                         <C>        <C>


Current Assets
  Cash and cash equivalents                                 $  113.7   $  109.1 
  Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts
    of $25.0 and $24.8, respectively                           897.7      675.2 
  Inventories
    Raw materials and supplies                                 120.1      119.7 
    Work in process                                             93.6      115.8 
    Finished products                                          344.8      369.3 
  Other current assets                                         120.9      116.4 
                                                            ---------  ---------
    Total Current Assets                                     1,690.8    1,505.5 

Investments and Other Assets                                 2,976.9    1,530.3 

Investment in Discontinued Operations                          242.9      592.3 

Property at Cost                                             2,224.8    2,160.6 
  Accumulated depreciation                                   1,064.1    1,046.9 
                                                            ---------  ---------
                                                             1,160.7    1,113.7 

      Total                                                 $6,071.3   $4,741.8 
                                                            =========  =========


          LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY

Current Liabilities
  Current maturities of long-term debt                      $  109.3   $  106.2 
  Notes payable                                                389.4      340.3 
  Accounts payable                                             300.7      264.0 
  Other current liabilities                                    573.1      505.3 
                                                            ---------  ---------
    Total Current Liabilities                                1,372.5    1,215.8 

Long-Term Debt                                               1,825.7    1,860.4 

Deferred Income Taxes                                          361.8          - 

Other Liabilities                                              531.1      507.4 

Redeemable Preferred Stock                                     277.2      304.9 

Unearned ESOP Compensation                                     (51.7)     (63.8)

Shareholders Equity
  Preferred stock                                                  -          - 
  Common stock                                                  11.5       11.5 
  Capital in excess of par value                               341.7      320.0 
  Retained earnings                                          2,413.7    1,566.7 
  Cumulative translation adjustment                           (142.5)    (129.8)
  Common stock in treasury, at cost                           (434.5)    (466.7)
  Unearned portion of restricted stock                          (3.0)      (3.4)
  Value of common stock held in Grantor Trust                 (401.6)    (381.2)
  Unrealized holding loss on available-for-sale securities     (30.6)         - 
                                                            ---------  ---------
    Total Shareholders Equity                                1,754.7      917.1 

      Total                                                 $6,071.3   $4,741.8 
                                                            =========  =========
</TABLE>



           See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
                                    (CONDENSED)
                               (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)

                                                        QUARTER ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                        --------------------------

                                                                   1997     1996

<S>                                                              <C>       <C>
Cash Flow from Operations
  Net earnings                                                   $ 857.8   $137.4 
  Gain on sale of discontinued operations                         (705.1)       - 
  Net earnings from discontinued operations                        (15.7)   (23.1)
  Non-cash items included in income                                 62.7     50.9 
  Changes in assets and liabilities used in operations             (60.3)    (3.2)
  Other, net                                                        (6.7)    (8.6)
                                                                 --------  -------
    Cash flow from continuing operations                           132.7    153.4 
    Cash flow from discontinued operations                          11.2     54.8 
                                                                 --------  -------
      Net cash flow from operations                                143.9    208.2 
                                                                 --------  -------

Cash Flow from Investing Activities
  Acquisition of businesses                                       (182.5)       - 
  Property additions, net                                          (55.0)   (59.7)
  Other, net                                                       (55.7)     4.9 
                                                                 --------  -------
    Cash used by investing activities - continuing operations     (293.2)   (54.8)
    Cash used by investing activities - discontinued operations    (38.4)   (17.7)
                                                                 --------  -------
      Net cash used by investing activities                       (331.6)   (72.5)
                                                                 --------  -------

Cash Flow from Financing Activities
    Net cash proceeds from (payment of) debt                       235.9    (51.5)
    Dividends paid                                                 (40.9)   (41.5)
    Other, net                                                      (2.9)    (0.4)
                                                                 --------  -------
      Net cash provided (used) by financing activities             192.1    (93.4)
                                                                 --------  -------

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash                              0.2      1.4 
                                                                 --------  -------

Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents                            4.6     43.7 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period                     109.1     62.3 
                                                                 --------  -------
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period                         $ 113.7   $106.0 
                                                                 ========  =======
</TABLE>




           See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.


<PAGE>
                    RALSTON PURINA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               DECEMBER 31, 1997
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)


<PAGE>
Note 1 - The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in
accordance  with  the instructions for Form 10-Q and do not include all of the
information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles
for  complete  financial  statements.    In  the  opinion  of  management, all
adjustments  considered  necessary for a fair presentation have been included.
Operating  results  for  any  quarter  are  not  necessarily indicative of the
results  for  any other quarter or for the full year.  These statements should
be  read  in  conjunction  with  the  financial  statements  and notes thereto
included  in  the  Ralston  Purina  Company  (the  Company)  Annual  Report to
Shareholders  for  the  year  ended  September  30,  1997.

Note  2  -  On  December  3,  1997,  the Company completed the sale of the Soy
Protein  Products business to E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont) for
$1,554.2, comprised of 22.5 million shares of DuPont common stock (which stock
was  valued at $1,399.2 at the date of purchase) and the assumption of certain
liabilities.    The  Company  recorded  a  pre-tax gain on the sale of the Soy
Protein  Products business of $1.1 billion and an after-tax gain of $705.1, or
$6.89  and  $6.42  per  basic  and  diluted  share,  respectively.

Note 3 - Discontinued operations consist of the Company's Soy Protein Products
business  through  the  sale date (See Note 2), and the Company's Agricultural
Products  business,  which  will  be  spun  off  during  1998.  Amounts in the
financial  statements  and  notes  for all periods shown have been restated to
reflect  discontinued  operations  accounting.

Note  4  -  In  February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  128, Earnings per Share.
Statement  128  replaces  the  previously  reported  primary and fully diluted
earnings  per share with basic and diluted earnings per share.  Basic earnings
per  share  is  based  on  the average number of shares outstanding during the
period.    This  calculation  is  the  same  as the primary earnings per share
calculation  previously  reported  by  the  Company.

Diluted  earnings  per  share is very similar to the previously reported fully
diluted  earnings per share, and is based on the average number of shares used
for the basic earnings per share calculation, adjusted for the dilutive effect
of  convertible  preferred  stock,  stock  options, convertible debentures and
compensation  awards.

The  following  table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings
per  share  in  accordance  with  the provisions of Statement 128.  Previously
reported  diluted earnings per share amounts have been restated, as necessary,
to  conform  to  Statement  128  requirements.

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                          Quarter Ended December 31,

                                                1997     1996

<S>                                            <C>      <C>
Numerator:
  Net earnings from continuing operations      $137.0   $114.3 
  Preferred stock dividends                      (3.1)    (3.4)
                                               -------  -------
  Numerator for basic earnings per share -
    Earnings from continuing operations
      available to common shareholders         $133.9   $110.9 

  Effect of dilutive securities:
    ESOP stock                                    2.8      2.6 

  Numerator for diluted earnings per share -
    Earnings from continuing operations
      available to common shareholders         $136.7   $113.5 
                                               -------  -------
    Net earnings from discontinued operations  $ 15.7   $ 23.1 
                                               -------  -------
    Gain on sale of discontinued
    operations                                 $705.1   $    - 
                                               -------  -------

Denominator:
  Denominator for basic earnings per share -
    weighted-average shares *                   102.4    101.9 

  Effect of dilutive securities:
    ESOP stock                                    6.2      6.6 
    Stock options **                              1.3      1.8 
    Deferred Compensation                           -      0.4 
                                               -------  -------
  Dilutive potential common shares                7.5      8.8 

  Denominator for diluted earnings per
    share - adjusted weighted-average
    shares and assumed conversions              109.9    110.7 
                                               =======  =======


Basic earnings per share:
  Earnings from continuing operations          $ 1.31   $ 1.09 
  Net earnings from discontinued operations      0.15     0.23

  Gain on sale of discontinued operations        6.89        - 
                                               -------  -------
  Net earnings                                 $ 8.35   $ 1.32 
                                               =======  =======

Diluted earnings per share:
  Earnings from continuing operations          $ 1.24   $ 1.02 
  Net earnings from discontinued operations      0.14     0.21 

  Gain on sale of discontinued operations        6.42        - 
                                               -------  -------
  Net earnings                                 $ 7.80   $ 1.23 
                                               =======  =======
</TABLE>








*       Weighted average shares used for the computation of basic earnings per
share  excludes  4,321,000  and  4,245,000  shares of common stock held by the
Company's  Grantor  Trust  at  December  31,  1997  and  1996,  respectively.

**    Options to purchase 99,887 shares of common stock at prices ranging from
$98.76  to  $132.63  per  share,  and 116,019 shares of common stock at prices
ranging from $76.13 to $132.63 per share outstanding during the quarters ended
December  31,  1997  and  1996,  respectively,  were  not included in weighted
average  shares used for the computation of diluted earnings per share because
the options' exercise prices were greater than the market prices of the common
shares.



<PAGE>
Note  5  - At December 31, 1997, there were 102,865,000 shares of common stock
outstanding,  exclusive  of  7,508,000  shares  held in treasury and 4,321,000
Grantor  Trust  shares.   At September 30, 1997, there were 102,271,000 shares
of  common  stock  outstanding, exclusive of 8,116,000 shares held in treasury
and  4,307,000  Grantor  Trust  shares.

Note  6  -  Other  (income)/expense,  net,  for  the  quarter  consists of the
following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                    December  31,
                                                    1997      1996
                                                   ---------------     

<S>                                                  <C>      <C>


Net translation and exchange loss               $     3.8   $ 1.9 
Investment income                                    (1.2)   (0.8)
Return on other investments                          (2.9)   (2.8)
Miscellaneous (income)/expense                        0.1    (1.8)
                                                    -------  -----
                                                $   ( 0.2)  $(3.5)
                                                    =======  ======
</TABLE>



Note  7  -  Investments  and  Other  Assets  consist  of  the  following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                    Dec.  31,   Sept. 30,

                                                       1997       1997
                                                     ------------------  

<S>                                                      <C>       <C>


Goodwill                                         $       575.9  $  446.5
Other intangible assets                                  241.5     236.4
Investments in affiliated companies                      313.4     299.9
Available-for-sale securities                          1,351.4         -
Deferred charges and other assets                        494.7     547.5
                                                  $    2,976.9  $1,530.3
                                                       =======  ========
</TABLE>




Note  8  -    Available-for-sale securities consist of shares of DuPont common
stock  obtained  in  connection  with  the  sale  of the Company's Soy Protein
Products  business  (See Note 2).  These securities are carried at fair value,
based on quoted market prices. The cost basis of these securities is $1,399.2,
and fair value and gross unrealized holding losses as of December 31, 1997 are
$1,351.4  and  $47.8,  respectively.  The difference between the cost and fair
value  of  these  securities,  net  of  tax  of  $17.2, is shown as a separate
component  of  shareholders  equity.

Note  9  -  In  December  1997,  the Company acquired Edward Baker Petfoods, a
United  Kingdom  manufacturer of extruded complete pet foods and a supplier of
branded  and  private  label products to the European market, for $182.5.  The
acquisition  has  been  accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.
The  acquisition  of Edward Baker is not expected to have a significant effect
on  the  net  sales, net earnings or earnings per share of the Company for the
year  ended  September  30,  1998.


<PAGE>


Note  10  -  During  the  current  quarter,  the  Company  adopted  SOP  96-1,
Environmental  Remediation  Liabilities,  which was issued in October 1996 and
provides  guidance  for  the  accrual of environmental remediation costs.  The
adoption  of  SOP  96-1  did  not  have  a  material  effect on the  financial
statements  of  the  Company.    As  a  matter  of  policy,  costs  of  future
expenditures  for  environmental remediation obligations are not discounted to
their  present  value.

PART  II  -          OTHER  INFORMATION
                     ------------------


There  is  no information required to be reported under any items except those
indicated  below.

Item  4.          Submission  of  Matter  to  a  Vote  of  Security  Holders
                  ----------------------------------------------------------

The  Company  held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on January 29, 1998, for
the  purpose  of  electing  one  director  to  serve a two-year term ending in
January  2000,  and four directors to serve three-year terms ending in January
2001, and to ratify the Board of Directors' appointment of Price Waterhouse as
independent  accountants  for the Company for the fiscal year ending September
30,  1998.

The  number of votes cast, and the number of shares voting for or against each
candidate  and  the  number of votes cast for the ratification, as well as the
number  of  abstentions  with  respect  thereto,  is  as  follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>






                                           VOTES              VOTES
                                            FOR              WITHHELD
<S>                                          <C>         <C>


David R. Banks                           94,168,380         1,497,496
M. Darrell Ingram                        94,327,872         1,313,004
John F. McDonnell                        94,544,549         1,096,327
W. Patrick McGinnis                      94,731,160           908,528
J. Patrick Mulcahy                       94,746,289           895,236
</TABLE>






<TABLE>
<CAPTION>





                                VOTES           VOTES             VOTES
                                FOR            AGAINST          ABSTAINED
<S>                             <C>               <C>              <C>


Ratification                95,104,504         263,630            298,290
of Price
Waterhouse
</TABLE>




Item  6.          Exhibits  and  Reports  on  Form  8-K
                  -------------------------------------

     (a)          Exhibits  filed  with  this  Report:

     (27)         Financial  Data  Schedule

     (b)          Reports  on  Form  8-K

A  Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 3, 1997 was filed to disclose the
sale of the Company's Soy Protein Products business to E.I. Du Pont de Nemours
and  Company,  and to provide Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Information for
the  Company  at,  and  for  the  year  ended,  September  30,  1997.


                                  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  thereunto  duly  authorized.



     RALSTON  PURINA  COMPANY
     ----------------------
     Registrant

     By:____________________________
     James  R.  Elsesser
     Vice  President  and  Chief
     Financial  Officer


Date:    February  13,  1998

<PAGE>
EXHIBIT  INDEX
-------------


Exhibits
--------

     EX-27          Financial  data  schedule  for  1st  Quarter  1998
     EX-27          Restated  Financial  Data  Schedule  for  1997
                    Annual  Period

                    (provided  electronically)






Exhibit  27

(Document  prepared  on  Edgar)





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