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 June 30, 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  August  11,  1997:

                                  106,546,055


<PAGE>
------

PART  I  -          FINANCIAL  INFORMATION

                            RALSTON PURINA COMPANY
                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
                           OF FINANCIAL INFORMATION
       ----------------------------------------------------------------


Net  earnings  for  the  nine  months  ended June 30, 1997 were $314.8 million
compared  to  $269.8  million for the same period in the prior year.  Earnings
per  share  were  $2.99  and  $2.83  on  a  primary  and  fully diluted basis,
respectively,  for the current nine months, compared to $2.55 and $2.41 in the
prior  year.    Net  earnings for the current nine months included two unusual
items  which  increased  net  earnings  by  $5.6  million or $.06 and $.05 per
primary  and  fully diluted share, respectively.  The first unusual item is an
after-tax   restructuring charge of  $29.1 million, net of income tax benefits
of  $74.2  million  related  to  current  and past restructurings.  The second
unusual  item  is  a tax benefit of $34.7 million related to tax refund claims
for  1993  through  1996  as  a  result of a change in the Company's method of
computing  foreign  tax  credits.    The  prior  year  nine months includes an
extraordinary  loss  on  the  early  retirement of debt of $2.1 million, after
taxes,  or $.02 per share.  Excluding these unusual items in both periods, net
earnings increased $37.3 million in the current nine months to $309.2 million,
compared  to  $271.9  million for the same period in 1996.  Earnings per share
for  the  nine months ended June 30, 1997, on this basis, were $2.93 and $2.78
per primary and fully diluted share, respectively, compared to $2.57 and $2.43
in  the  prior  year  nine  months.

The  increased  earnings  for  the  first nine months of  fiscal year 1997 are
primarily  the result of  higher equity earnings from the Company's investment
in  Interstate  Bakeries Corporation (IBC), lower interest expense and a lower
tax  rate.

For the quarter ended June 30, 1997, net earnings were $100.7 million compared
to  $82.2  million for the same quarter in 1996.  Earnings per share were $.96
and  $.91  per primary and fully diluted share, respectively, compared to $.77
and  $.73  a year ago.  Each of the unusual items mentioned above was recorded
in  the  quarter.  Excluding these unusual items, net earnings for the quarter
ended  June  30,  1997  increased $10.8 million, or $.11 per primary and fully
diluted  share.   This earnings increase resulted primarily from higher equity
earnings  from  the  Company's  investment  in  IBC.

RESULTS  OF  OPERATIONS
Net sales increased 5.8% in the nine months ended June 30, 1997 on high single
digit  sales  increases in Pet Products, Soy Protein Products and Agricultural
Products.    For  the  quarter,  net  sales increased 3.6% on increases in Pet
Products  and  Soy  Protein  Products.

Gross profit as a percentage of sales was 40.3% in the nine months of both the
current  and  prior  year.   The 1997 gross profit percentage improved in both
Agricultural  Products  and  Battery  Products,  but  decreased in Soy Protein
Products where margins were unfavorably impacted by higher raw material costs.
Additionally,  sales  increases  in  the  lower  margin  Agricultural Products
segment  negatively  impacted  Company margins.  Gross profit percentages were
40.1%  and  38.7%  for the quarter ended June 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
The  increased percentage in the quarter reflects improvements in all segments
except  Soy  Protein Products where price increases have not offset higher raw
material  costs.

Selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses increased 8.4% in the current
nine  months  and  9.2%  in  the  quarter  due  primarily  to increases in Pet
Products,  increased  business development and management costs in Soy Protein
Products  and  incremental  expense associated with options and mark-to-market
adjustments  on  liabilities  denominated in share equivalents.  Additionally,
both  periods  are  impacted  by  start-up  expenses  associated  with capital
projects.    Prior  year Agricultural Products' acquisitions also impacted the
nine  month  period.   Selling, general and administrative expenses were 17.8%
and  17.3%  of  sales  in  the  current  and  prior  year  nine month periods,
respectively,  and  18.5%  and  17.5%  in  the  current  and  prior year third
quarters.

Advertising  and  promotion expense increased 10.6% in the current nine months
and 13.7% in the current quarter due to additional promotional spending in Pet
Products.    As  a  percentage of sales, advertising and promotion expense was
10.6%  and  10.5%  in the current nine months and third quarter, respectively,
compared  to  10.1%  and  9.6%  in  the  same  periods  a  year  ago.

Other  income/expense,  net,  was  $17.9 million favorable for the nine months
primarily  due to prior year foreign currency translation and exchange losses,
particularly  in  Mexico  and  Venezuela,  and  a  higher  return  on  other
investments.

Income  taxes,  which  represent  federal,  state  and  foreign taxes, include
certain  unusual  items  in  the  quarter and nine months ended June 30, 1997.
First,  income  tax  benefits  of  $74.2  million were recorded in the current
quarter  related  to  current  and past restructuring actions.  These benefits
include  current  tax benefits of $12.5 million and the recognition of capital
loss  tax  benefits  of  $61.7  million.  Additionally, a tax benefit of $34.7
million  was  recorded related to tax refund claims for 1993 through 1996 as a
result  of  a change in the Company's method of computing foreign tax credits.
Excluding  these  unusual  items, income taxes were 34.8% and 36.4% of pre-tax
earnings  before  equity  earnings  for  the  current quarter and nine months,
respectively,  compared  to  35.8%  and  37.3% in the prior year periods.  The
decrease in the current year rates reflects the impact of adopting a different
methodology  for  computing  foreign  tax  credits.

BUSINESS  SEGMENTS
Comments  and percentages in the following business segment review exclude the
effects  of  provisions for restructuring.  See discussion of these charges in
the  separate  section  which  follows.

Sales  for the Pet Products segment increased 10.5% in the quarter and 9.1% in
the nine months on higher volumes and pricing.  Operating profit increased for
the  quarter  but  was  flat  for the nine months.  In the quarter, the volume
gains  were  partially  offset  by  higher  promotion  support.   For the nine
months,  higher  pet food ingredient costs and promotional spending offset the
sales  gains.

Sales  for  the Battery Products segment decreased slightly in the quarter and
were flat for the nine months over the same periods in the prior year.  During
the  quarter  and  nine  months,  worldwide branded alkaline volumes improved,
particularly  in  North  America  and  the  Asia Pacific region.  In addition,
increased  domestic prices had a positive effect.  These increases were offset
by lower sales in Europe, decreased OEM rechargeable sales in the Asia Pacific
region  due  to  competitive  pricing  pressures, and the continued decline in
carbon  zinc  sales.    Additionally,  in  the nine months, decreased alkaline
private  label  sales  had  a  negative  effect.

Battery  Products'  operating  profit  decreased  in  the quarter and improved
slightly  in  the  nine  months.    Both  periods included increased worldwide
alkaline  volume  and  improved  results  in  the  Asia Pacific region.  These
positive factors were more than offset in the quarter and nearly offset in the
nine  months by decreased earnings in Europe, decreased OEM rechargeable sales
in  the Asia Pacific region and start-up costs associated with the lithium ion
rechargeable  battery.

Sales  for  the Soy Protein Products segment increased 8.3% in the quarter and
in  the  nine  months  on  higher  volume  in food protein products and higher
prices.    Operating  profit  decreased in both periods as higher raw material
costs,  higher  business  development  and  management  costs, and unfavorable
foreign  exchange  more  than  offset  the  sales  increase.

Sales  for  International  Agricultural  Products were flat in the quarter and
increased  9.1% in the nine months.  In both periods, increased volumes in the
Asia Pacific region were offset by lower volumes in South and Central America.
In  the  quarter, sales prices moderated with the decline in commodity prices.
The  nine  month  period was favorably impacted by prior year acquisitions and
higher  prices  associated  with  higher  commodity  prices.  Operating profit
increased  in  the  quarter and nine months on favorable margins and increased
Asia  Pacific volumes, partially offset by decreased volumes and lower margins
in  South  and  Central America.  Additionally, results improved in France and
Brazil  reflecting  the  impact  of  prior  year  restructurings.

RESTRUCTURING  ACTIVITIES
In  the  quarter  ended  June  30,  1997,  the Company recorded provisions for
restructuring of $103.3 million, or $29.1 million, after taxes.  These charges
primarily  relate  to  a  continuation  of  the rationalization of the Battery
Products'  worldwide  battery  production capacity.  The restructuring charges
provide  for  the  closing of 4 plants and the termination of 1,340 employees.
On  a  pre-tax  basis,  charges  for  restructuring  consisted  of termination
benefits  of $44.4 million, other cash exit costs of $9.5 million and non-cash
charges  of  $49.4  million,  primarily  related to impairment losses on land,
buildings  and  machinery  and  equipment.    These  restructuring actions are
expected  to  generate  pre-tax cost savings of $15 million in fiscal 1998 and
ultimate  annual  savings  of  $35  million  in  fiscal  2000.

The  income  tax  benefits of $74.2 million recorded in the quarter associated
with  current  and  past restructuring actions include current tax benefits of
$12.5  million  and the recognition of capital loss benefits of $61.7 million.
These  capital  loss  tax  benefits will be used to partially offset taxes due
upon  the  Company's  future  disposition  of  IBC  shares. The  Company  
expects  to  recognize  additional  capital  loss  tax  benefits associated  
with  these  restructuring provisions in future periods to further affect
some  of    the  anticipated  capital  gains on the disposition of IBC shares.

Activity  related  to past restructuring provisions resulted in the closing of
one  plant and the termination of approximately  370 employees during the nine
months  ended June 30, 1997.  In addition, termination benefits and other cash
exit  costs  of  $19.0  million  were  paid  during the current nine months in
connection  with  these  previous provisions for restructuring, resulting in a
reserve  balance of $6.4 million at June 30, 1997.  This activity is primarily
associated  with  Battery  Products'  restructuring.


FINANCIAL  CONDITION

The  Company's    primary  source  of  liquidity  is  cash flow generated from
operations.    For  the  nine  months  ended  June  30,  1997,  cash flow from
operations  was  $409.4  million compared to $327.3 million in the nine months
ended  June 30, 1996.  The increase in cash flow in the current nine months is
due to increased cash earnings and changes in working capital.  The changes in
working  capital  primarily  represent  increased accounts payable and accrued
liabilities, largely due to current period restructuring reserves, and a lower
level  of  inventory  increases.    Included  in  other,  net  cash flows from
operations  in  the  current  nine months are IBC equity earnings and the long
term receivable related to tax refund claims for 1993 through 1996 as a result
of  the  change  in  the  Company's  method  of computing foreign tax credits.
Current  liabilities exceeded current assets by $19.6 million at June 30, 1997
and  by  $22.1  million  at  September  30,  1996.

The  increased  cash used by investing activities is primarily due to a higher
level of capital expenditures related to the expansion of production capacity.

On  October  2,  1995,  the  Company  issued $175 million of 7-3/4% fixed rate
long-term  debt.

In  July  1997,  the  Company issued $480 million of Stock Appreciation Income
Linked  Securities  (SAILS)  consisting  of 7% Exchangeable Notes due in 2000.
These notes are unsecured debt which is exchangeable at maturity into a number
of  shares of IBC common stock or cash, at the Company's option. The number of
shares  of  IBC Common Stock to be exchanged will depend upon the market price
of  the  IBC Common Stock at maturity of the Notes, ranging from one share per
Note  if  the  price at maturity is less than or equal to the initial price of
approximately $62, to .82 of a share per Note if the maturity price is greater
than  or  equal  to  $75.5  per  share.   Approximately 7.7 million Notes were
issued.  Net proceeds of $466 million from the transaction were used to reduce
short-term  debt.    The  SAILS debt will initially be recorded on the balance
sheet  at  the  principal  amount of the issuance.  At each subsequent balance
sheet  date,  the SAILS will be marked to the cash value of the underlying IBC
shares  for  which  the  SAILS may be exchanged.  Any changes in value will be
recorded  in  earnings  each  period.  This transaction effectively limits the
amount of appreciation on part of the Company's investment in IBC and locks in
a  minimum  pre-tax  gain of $340 million, or $220 million after tax, which is
expected  to  be realized partially through equity earnings through 2000, with
the  remainder  being  realized  upon  maturity  of  the  SAILS.

Simultaneous  with the SAILS transaction, the Company sold 1,000,000 shares of
its IBC stock back to IBC for $60 million and will recognize a pre-tax gain of
$41  million,  or  $27  million  after  tax,  in  the  fourth  quarter.

As  of  July 31, 1997, approximately 1,130,000 shares remained under the Board
of  Directors' authorization dated February 16, 1994 for the purchase of up to
3  million  shares  of    RAL  Stock.

 As  previously  announced,  the Company intends to separate its international
agricultural  animal  feeds  business  in a tax-free spin-off to shareholders.
Completion  of the spin-off is expected in early 1998 and is contingent upon a
favorable  tax  ruling  from  the Internal Revenue Service and approval by the
Ralston  Purina  Board  of  Directors.



<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                               RALSTON PURINA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


                                                   QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30,  NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                   ----------------------  --------------------------


                                                             1997       1996       1997       1996
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
<S>                                                        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>

Net Sales                                                  $1,531.8   $1,478.6   $4,811.6   $4,550.0 
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------

Costs and Expenses
  Cost of products sold                                       917.8      906.3    2,874.5    2,718.4 
  Selling, general and administrative                         282.6      258.8      854.4      788.2 
  Advertising and promotion                                   161.0      141.6      509.5      460.6 
  Interest expense                                             42.0       46.2      129.0      145.4 
  Provision for restructuring                                 103.3          -      103.3          - 
  Other (income)/expense, net                                  (4.0)      (1.4)      (4.9)      13.0 
                                                            --------   -------    -------    --------
                                                            1,502.7    1,351.5    4,465.8    4,125.6 
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------

Earnings before Income Taxes, Equity Earnings
  and Extraordinary Item                                       29.1      127.1      345.8      424.4 

Income Tax (Provision)/Benefit                                 62.8      (45.5)     (54.4)    (158.5)
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------

Earnings before Equity Earnings
  and Extraordinary Item                                       91.9       81.6      291.4      265.9 

Equity Earnings, Net of Taxes                                   8.8        2.7       23.4        6.0 
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------

Earnings before Extraordinary Item                            100.7       84.3      314.8      271.9 

Extraordinary Item - Loss on Early
  Extinguishment of Debt                                         .-       (2.1)        .-       (2.1)
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------

Net Earnings                                                  100.7       82.2      314.8      269.8 

Preferred Stock Dividend, Net of Taxes                         (3.2)      (3.5)      (9.9)     (10.7)
                                                           ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------

Earnings Available to Common Shareholders                  $   97.5   $   78.7   $  304.9   $  259.1 
                                                           =========  =========  =========  =========

Cash Dividends Declared per Common Share                   $   0.30   $   0.30   $   0.90   $   0.90 
                                                           =========  =========  =========  =========


Earnings Per Share
    Primary
      Earnings before extraordinary item                   $   0.96   $   0.79   $   2.99   $   2.57 
      Extraordinary item                                          -      (0.02)         -      (0.02)
                                                           --------   --------   --------   ---------
      Net Earnings                                         $   0.96   $   0.77   $   2.99   $   2.55 
                                                           =========  =========  =========  =========

    Fully Diluted
      Earnings before extraordinary item                   $   0.91   $   0.75   $   2.83   $   2.43 
      Extraordinary item                                          -      (0.02)         -      (0.02)
                                                           --------   --------   --------   ---------
      Net Earnings                                         $   0.91   $   0.73   $   2.83   $   2.41 
                                                           =========  =========  =========  =========



See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.
</TABLE>




<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                    RALSTON PURINA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                  (CONDENSED)
                             (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)

                                                        JUNE  30, SEPTEMBER 30,
                                                        --------- -------------
                                                             1997       1996
                                                           ---------  ---------
<S>                                                        <C>        <C>
ASSETS

Current Assets
  Cash and cash equivalents                                $   91.4   $   62.3 
  Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts
    of  $38.7 and $35.9, respectively                         806.2      845.6 
  Inventories
    Raw materials and supplies                                231.2      242.1 
    Work in process                                           120.5      123.6 
    Finished products                                         481.7      450.5 
  Other current assets                                        179.0      149.3 
                                                           ---------  ---------
    Total Current Assets                                    1,910.0    1,873.4 

Investments and Other Assets                                1,516.2    1,455.8 

Property at Cost                                            2,932.7    2,797.3 
  Accumulated depreciation                                  1,406.3    1,341.4 
                                                           ---------  ---------
                                                            1,526.4    1,455.9 
                                                           --------   ---------
      Total                                                $4,952.6   $4,785.1 
                                                           =========  =========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY

Current Liabilities
  Current maturities of long-term debt                     $   91.5   $   98.0 
  Notes payable                                               908.9      881.9 
  Accounts payable                                            360.3      407.9 
  Other current liabilities                                   568.9      507.7 
                                                           ---------  ---------
    Total Current Liabilities                               1,929.6    1,895.5 

Long-Term Debt                                              1,412.5    1,437.0 

Deferred Income Taxes                                         (14.0)      50.0 

Other Liabilities                                             531.4      500.7 

Redeemable Preferred Stock                                    307.8      323.5 

Unearned ESOP Compensation                                    (76.0)    (110.6)

Shareholders Equity
  Preferred stock                                                 -          - 
  Common stock                                                 11.5       11.5 
  Capital in excess of par value                              289.4      217.3 
  Retained earnings                                         1,495.4    1,302.9 
  Cumulative translation adjustment                          (105.2)     (66.6)
  Common stock in treasury, at cost                          (473.2)    (482.3)
  Unearned portion of restricted stock                         (4.0)      (4.2)
  Value of common stock held in Grantor Trust                (352.6)    (289.6)
                                                           ---------  ---------
    Total Shareholders Equity                                 861.3      689.0 
                                                           --------   ---------
      Total                                                $4,952.6   $4,785.1 
                                                           =========  =========
See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.
</TABLE>




<PAGE>

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



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



                                                   NINE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                   --------------------------
                                                             1997      1996
                                                             ----      ----
<S>                                                        <C>       <C>
Cash Flow from Operations
  Net earnings                                             $ 314.8   $ 269.8 
  Extraordinary Item                                             -       2.1 
  Non-cash items included in income                          169.3     186.5 
  Changes in assets and liabilities used in operations       (28.5)   (131.3)
  Other, net                                                 (46.2)      0.2 
                                                           --------  --------
    Net cash flow from operations                            409.4     327.3 
                                                           --------  --------

Cash Flow from Investing Activities
  Acquisition of businesses                                      -     (25.1)
  Property additions, net                                   (271.4)   (203.8)
  Other, net                                                 (14.7)     (0.3)
                                                           --------  --------
    Net cash used by investing activities                   (286.1)   (229.2)
                                                           --------  --------
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
  Net cash proceeds from debt                                 49.8      63.4 
  Dividends paid                                            (113.1)   (114.6)
  Other, net                                                 (27.2)    (26.5)
                                                           --------  --------
    Net cash used by financing activities                    (90.5)    (77.7)
                                                           --------  --------
Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash                       (3.7)     (2.4)
                                                           --------  --------
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents                     29.1      18.0 

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period                62.3      44.3 
                                                           --------  --------
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period                   $  91.4   $  62.3 
                                                           ========  ========

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.
</TABLE>




<PAGE>

                    RALSTON PURINA COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 JUNE 30, 1997
                             (Dollars in millions)


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,  1996.

Note  2 - Primary earnings per share are based on the average number of shares
outstanding  during  the  period,  excluding 4,290,000 and 4,201,000 shares of
common  stock  held  by the Company's Grantor Trust at June 30, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.    Fully  diluted  earnings  per  share are based on the average
number of shares used for the primary earnings per share calculation, adjusted
for  the  dilutive  effect  of  convertible  preferred  stock,  stock options,
convertible  debentures and compensation awards, when the effects of inclusion
of  such  securities  does  not  result  in  anti-dilution.  Primary and fully
diluted  shares  used  in earnings per share computations were 102,106,000 and
109,622,000, respectively, for the quarter ended June 30, 1997 and 101,813,000
and  110,516,000  for  the  quarter  ended June 30, 1996.  For the nine months
ended  June  30,  1997,  primary and fully diluted shares were 102,000,000 and
110,623,000,  respectively,  and were 101,780,000 and 110,485,000 for the nine
months  ended  June  30,  1996.

Note  3  -  At  June  30,  1997, there were 102,132,000 shares of common stock
outstanding,  exclusive  of  8,269,000  shares  held in treasury and 4,290,000
Grantor  Trust  shares.   At September 30, 1996, there were 101,720,000 shares
of  common  stock  outstanding, exclusive of 8,740,000 shares held in treasury
and  4,228,000  Grantor  Trust  shares.

Note  4  -  Other  (income)/expense,  net, for the nine months consists of the
following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                     June  30,
                                    1997    1996
                                   ------  ------
<S>                                <C>     <C>

Net translation and exchange loss  $ 8.6   $19.2 
Investment income                   (6.6)   (6.5)
Miscellaneous (income)/expense      (6.9)    0.3 
                                   ------  ------
                                   $(4.9)  $13.0 
                                   ======  ======
</TABLE>




<PAGE>

Note  5  -  Investments  and  Other  Assets  consists  of  the  following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                    June  30,  Sept.  30,
                                       1997      1996
                                     --------  --------
<S>                                  <C>       <C>

Goodwill                             $  491.8  $  509.1
Other intangible assets                 243.4     256.3
Investments in affiliated companies     328.9     301.6
Deferred charges and other assets       452.1     388.8
                                     --------  --------
                                     $1,516.2  $1,455.8
                                     ========  ========
</TABLE>



Note  6  -  During  the  current  quarter, the Company recorded provisions for
restructuring  of  $29.1,  after taxes, or $.28 and $.27 per primary and fully
diluted  share  for the quarter and $.28 and $.26 per share, respectively, for
the  nine months.  These charges primarily relate to continued rationalization
of  Battery  Products'  worldwide  battery  production  capacity.

On  a  pre-tax  basis,  charges for restructuring were $103.3 and consisted of
termination  benefits  of  $44.4,  other  cash  exit costs of $9.5 and noncash
charges  of  $49.4,  primarily related to impairment losses on land, buildings
and  machinery  and  equipment.

The  income  tax  benefits  of  $74.2  recorded in the quarter associated with
current  and  past restructuring actions include current tax benefits of $12.5
and  the  recognition  of  capital  loss  benefits  of  $61.7.

Note  7  -  During  the current quarter the Company recognized tax benefits of
$34.7,  or  $.34  and $.32 per primary and fully diluted share for the quarter
and $.34 and $.31 per share, respectively, for the nine months, related to tax
refund  claims  for 1993 through 1996 as a result of a change in the Company's
method  of  computing  foreign  tax  credits.

Note  8  -  During  the quarter ended June 30, 1996, the Company recognized an
extraordinary  loss  in  connection  with  the  retirement  of  $40.5  of 9.5%
debentures.

Note  9  -  On  January 31, 1997, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
issued  amended  disclosure rules for derivatives and exposures to market risk
from  derivative  and  other  financial  and  certain  commodity  instruments.
Enhanced  accounting  policy  disclosures  in accordance with this SEC release
follow.

The  Company  uses  financial and commodities derivatives in the management of
foreign  currency,  commodities  pricing  and  interest  rate  risks  that are
inherent  to its business operations.  Such instruments are not held or issued
for  trading  purposes.

The  Company  uses  foreign  exchange  (F/X)  instruments,  including currency
forwards, futures and options, to reduce transaction and translation exposures
resulting  from  its  foreign  currency  activities.  F/X instruments used are
selected  based  on  their  risk  reduction  attributes and the related market
conditions.  Such instruments are marked-to-market, and the terms generally do
not  exceed  twelve  months.    Realized  and unrealized gains and losses from
instruments qualifying as hedges are deferred as part of the cost basis of the
asset  or  liability  being  hedged  and  are  recognized  in the statement of
earnings  in  the  same  period  as  the underlying transaction.  Realized and
unrealized  gains  or  losses from F/X instruments used as economic hedges but
not  qualifying for hedge accounting are recognized currently in the statement
of  earnings.    Cash  flows  from  F/X instruments are classified in the same
category  in  the  statement  of cash flows as the underlying activities.  F/X
instruments  are  generally  not  disposed  of  prior  to the settlement date;
however,  if  an  F/X instrument was disposed of prior to the settlement date,
any gain or loss would be recognized immediately in the statement of earnings.

The  Company uses commodities hedging instruments, including forwards, futures
and  options,  to  reduce the risk of price fluctuations related to future raw
materials  requirements  for commodities such as corn, wheat and soybean meal.
The  terms  of  such  instruments  generally  do not exceed twelve months, and
depend  on  the  commodity  and  other  market  factors.   The instruments are
marked-to-market,  and  the gains and losses are deferred.  Deferred gains and
losses  are subsequently recorded as cost of products sold in the statement of
earnings when the inventory is sold.  If the inventory is not acquired and the
hedge  is  disposed of, the deferred gain or loss is recognized immediately in
cost  of  products  sold.

The  Company  uses  interest rate swap and cap agreements in the management of
interest rate exposure.  The interest rate differential to be paid or received
is normally accrued as interest rates change, and is recognized as a component
of  interest  expense over the life of the agreements.  If an agreement was to
be  terminated prior to the maturity date, any accrued rate differential would
be  recognized  immediately  as interest expense in the statement of earnings.

Note  10  - Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings Per
Share",  was  issued  in  February  1997.    The Company expects the impact of
adoption  of  this  statement  to  be  immaterial.


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

There  is  no information required to be reported under any items except those
indicated  below.
Item  1.          Legal  Proceedings
                  ------------------

     On July 25, 1997 the United States District Court for the District of New
Jersey  granted  a  Motion  for  Summary  Judgment  in favor of the defendants
(including the Company) in the consolidated proceedings styled In Re Baby Food
Antitrust  Litigation,  No. 92-5495 (NHP), described in the Company's Form 10K
Annual  Report  for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1997.  It is not known
whether  plaintiffs  in  the  proceeding  will timely file a notice of appeal.

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

     (a)          Exhibits  filed  with  this  Report:

     (11)          Statement  re:  Computation  of  Per  Share  Earnings.

     (27)          Financial  Data  Schedule

     (b)          Reports  on  Form  8-K

          On May 23, 1997 the Registrant filed a Current Report of Form 8-K to
file  its press release dated that same date relating to the retirement of its
current  Chief  Executive Officer and the succession of two Co-Chief Executive
Officers.

          On  July  21, 1997 the Registrant filed a Current Report on Form 8-K
to  file  its  press release dated that same date relating to earnings for its
Fiscal  1997  third  Quarter.

          On  July  28, 1997 the Registrant filed a Current Report on Form 8-K
describing  the sale to underwriters of its 7% Exchangeable Notes Due 2000 and
filing  as  exhibits  to  such  Current Report, the Underwriting Agreement and
First  Supplemental  Indenture  related  to  such  Notes.


                                  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:    August  14,  1997

<PAGE>


EXHIBIT  INDEX
-------------


Exhibits
--------

     EX-11          Computation  of  Earnings  Per  Share
     EX-27          Financial  data  schedule  for  3rd  Quarter  1997

     (provided  electronically)


Exhibit  27

(Document  prepared  on  Edgar)





i:\sec\10q\3qtr-97.doc