<PAGE>
 
HIGHLIGHTS OF OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                1997                     1996
                                            In thousands of dollars except for per share amounts

<S>                                                          <C>                       <C>       
NET SALES                                                    $1,937,021                1,835,987
 
EARNINGS BEFORE FACTORY CLOSURE                                 273,771                  243,262
 
--Per Share of Common Stock (basic and diluted)                    2.36                     2.10
 
NET EARNINGS                                                    271,626                  230,272
 
--Per Share of Common Stock (basic and diluted)                    2.34                     1.99
 
DIVIDENDS PAID                                                  135,680                  118,308
 
--Per Share of Common Stock                                        1.17                     1.02
 
ADDITIONS TO PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT                      126,509                  101,977
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                            985,379                  897,431
 
RETURN ON AVERAGE EQUITY                                           28.9%                    27.2%
 
STOCKHOLDERS AT CLOSE OF YEAR                                    36,587                   34,951
 
AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING ('000)                               115,964                  115,983
</TABLE>
 
                           For additional historical financial data see page 24.


<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                  1997              1996              1995
                                               In thousands of dollars except for per share amounts

<S>                                                  <C>                <C>               <C>       
EARNINGS
 
REVENUES:
 
Net sales                                            $1,937,021         1,835,987         1,754,931
 
Investment and other income                              17,153            14,614            14,811
                                                     ----------         ---------         ---------
 
     Total revenues                                   1,954,174         1,850,601         1,769,742
                                                     ----------         ---------         ---------
 
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
 
Cost of sales                                           847,366           814,483           778,019
 
Factory closure and related costs                         3,300            19,436                --
 
Selling, distribution and general administrative        708,310           656,473           639,537
 
Interest                                                    958             1,097             1,955
                                                     ----------         ---------         ---------
 
     Total costs and expenses                         1,559,934         1,491,489         1,419,511
                                                     ----------         ---------         ---------
 
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES                            394,240           359,112           350,231

INCOME TAXES                                            122,614           128,840           126,492
                                                     ----------         ---------         ---------
 
NET EARNINGS                                         $  271,626           230,272           223,739
                                                     ==========         =========         =========


PER SHARE AMOUNTS

NET EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK
  (BASIC AND DILUTED)                                $     2.34              1.99              1.93
                                                     ==========         =========         =========
DIVIDENDS PAID PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK             $     1.17              1.02               .96
                                                     ==========         =========         =========
</TABLE>
 
                                 See accompanying accounting policies and notes.


<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                     AS OF DECEMBER 31,                         1997              1996
                                                                  In thousands of dollars


<S>                                                          <C>                <C>       
ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:

Cash and cash equivalents                                    $  206,627           181,233

Short-term investments, at amortized cost                       120,728           119,330

Accounts receivable
     (less allowance for doubtful accounts:
     1997--$7,524; 1996--$8,538)                                175,967           165,051

Inventories--

     Finished goods                                              63,912            52,859

     Raw materials and supplies                                 183,480           180,338
                                                             ----------         ---------
                                                                247,392           233,197

Other current assets                                             30,538            19,674

Deferred income taxes--current                                   16,421            10,939
                                                             ----------         ---------
     Total current assets                                       797,673           729,424
 
MARKETABLE EQUITY SECURITIES, AT FAIR VALUE                      26,375            18,525
 
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS                                59,566            69,461
 
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES--NONCURRENT                                29,038            27,984
 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, AT COST:
 
Land                                                             26,298            25,921
 
Buildings and building equipment                                277,808           251,687
 
Machinery and equipment                                         566,766           530,438
                                                             ----------         ---------
                                                                870,872           808,046
 
Less accumulated depreciation                                   440,398           419,897
                                                             ----------         ---------
     Net property, plant and equipment                          430,474           388,149
                                                             ----------         ---------
     TOTAL ASSETS                                            $1,343,126         1,233,543
                                                             ==========         =========
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                     AS OF DECEMBER 31,                         1997              1996
                                                       In thousands of dollars and shares

<S>                                                          <C>                <C>       
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
 
Accounts payable                                             $   71,001            75,431
 
Accrued expenses                                                 78,378            66,434
 
Dividends payable                                                22,034            19,715
 
Income and other taxes payable                                   53,460            55,756
 
Deferred income taxes--current                                      943               816
                                                             ----------         ---------
     Total current liabilities                                  225,816           218,152
 
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES--NONCURRENT                                30,874            24,390
 
OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES                                    101,057            93,570
 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
 
Preferred Stock--no par value
     Authorized: 20,000 shares
     Issued: None
 
Common Stock--no par value
     Common Stock
     Authorized: 400,000 shares
     Issued: 1997--92,545 SHARES; 1996--92,066 shares            12,339            12,275
 
     Class B Common Stock--convertible
     Authorized: 80,000 shares
     Issued and outstanding:
     1997--23,676 SHARES; 1996--24,155 shares                     3,157             3,221
 
Additional paid-in capital                                          226               238
 
Retained earnings                                             1,032,139           898,512
 
Common Stock in treasury, at cost
     (1997--252 SHARES; 1996--251 shares)                       (13,363)          (12,911)
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment                         (65,034)          (14,716)
 
Unrealized holding gains on marketable equity securities         15,915            10,812
                                                             ----------         ---------
     Total stockholders' equity                                 985,379           897,431
                                                             ----------         ---------
     TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY              $1,343,126         1,233,543
                                                             ==========         =========
</TABLE>
 
                                 See accompanying accounting policies and notes.


<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,                  1997               1996             1995
                                                                           In thousands of dollars

<S>                                                  <C>                 <C>              <C>      
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings                                         $   271,626          230,272          223,739
     Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net
          cash provided by operating activities:
     Depreciation                                         50,439           47,288           43,773
     Gain on sales of property, plant and equipment       (1,141)          (1,771)          (1,090)
     (Increase) decrease in:
          Accounts receivable                            (26,318)           2,154          (28,619)
          Inventories                                    (26,916)             973          (11,422)
          Other current assets                           (12,712)           3,777            2,164
          Other assets and deferred charges               11,123          (24,075)          (6,297)
     Increase (decrease) in:
          Accounts payable                                 1,549              474            6,427
          Accrued expenses                                16,182                3           (3,657)
          Income and other taxes payable                   1,779            6,095           (6,889)
          Deferred income taxes                           (2,608)          (4,496)             720
          Other noncurrent liabilities                    11,475           25,149            3,702
                                                     -----------         --------         --------
Net cash provided by operating activities                294,478          285,843          222,551
 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
     Additions to property, plant and equipment         (126,509)        (101,977)        (102,759)
     Proceeds from property retirements                    6,888           10,785            3,690
     Purchases of short-term investments              (1,301,735)        (576,995)        (281,065)
     Maturities of short-term investments              1,298,732          559,603          277,913
                                                     -----------         --------         --------
Net cash used in investing activities                   (122,624)        (108,584)        (102,221)
 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
     Dividends paid                                     (135,680)        (118,308)        (111,401)
     Common Stock purchased                               (3,676)          (6,779)         (11,811)
                                                     -----------         --------         --------
Net cash used in financing activities                   (139,356)        (125,087)        (123,212)
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
     and cash equivalents                                 (7,104)           3,336            1,038
                                                     -----------         --------         --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents      25,394           55,508           (1,844)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year           181,233          125,725          127,569
                                                     -----------         --------         --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year             $   206,627          181,233          125,725
                                                     ===========         ========         ========
 
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
     Income taxes paid                               $   126,925          130,499          133,494
                                                     ===========         ========         ========
     Interest paid                                   $       900              631            1,957
                                                     ===========         ========         ========
     Interest and dividends received                 $    16,598           14,477           14,639
                                                     ===========         ========         ========
</TABLE>
 
                                 See accompanying accounting policies and notes.


<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                  AS OF DECEMBER 31,                     1997              1996             1995
                                                                           In thousands of dollars

<S>                                                   <C>                <C>              <C>      
COMMON STOCK
At beginning of year                                  $   12,275           12,205           12,177
 
Conversion of Class B Common Stock                            64               70               52
 
Retirement                                                    --               --              (24)
                                                      ----------         --------         --------
At end of year                                            12,339           12,275           12,205
 
CLASS B COMMON STOCK
At beginning of year                                       3,221            3,291            3,343
 
Conversion to Common Stock                                   (64)             (70)             (52)
                                                      ----------         --------         --------
At end of year                                             3,157            3,221            3,291
 
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL
At beginning of year                                         238            1,625            1,781
 
Options exercised and stock awards granted                   (12)          (1,387)            (156)
                                                      ----------         --------         --------
At end of year                                               226              238            1,625
 
RETAINED EARNINGS
At beginning of year                                     898,512          786,543          685,850
 
Net earnings                                             271,626          230,272          223,739
 
Dividends declared                                      (137,999)        (118,303)        (114,852)
 
Treasury Stock retirement                                     --               --           (8,194)
                                                      ----------         --------         --------
At end of year                                         1,032,139          898,512          786,543
 
TREASURY STOCK
At beginning of year                                     (12,911)         (10,178)          (9,034)
 
Purchases                                                 (3,676)          (6,779)         (11,811)
 
Options exercised and stock awards granted                 3,224            4,046            2,449
 
Retirements                                                   --               --            8,218
                                                      ----------         --------         --------
At end of year                                           (13,363)         (12,911)         (10,178)
 
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENT
At beginning of year                                     (14,716)          (8,038)         (13,502)
 
Translation adjustment                                   (50,318)          (6,678)           5,464
                                                      ----------         --------         --------
At end of year                                           (65,034)         (14,716)          (8,038)
 
UNREALIZED HOLDING GAIN
At beginning of year                                      10,812           11,404            7,855
 
Marketable equity securities adjustment                    5,103             (592)           3,549
                                                      ----------         --------         --------
At end of year                                            15,915           10,812           11,404
                                                      ----------         --------         --------
 
Total stockholders' equity                            $  985,379          897,431          796,852
                                                      ==========         ========         ========
</TABLE>

                                 See accompanying accounting policies and notes.


<PAGE>

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


CONSOLIDATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company and its associated companies (the Company).
The Company's principal business is manufacturing and selling
chewing gum. All other businesses constitute less than 10% of
combined revenues, operating profit and identifiable assets.
Preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect assets, liabilities, revenues
and expenses. Actual results may vary from those estimates.


FACTORY CLOSURE INCLUDING SUBSEQUENT EVENT
 
In April 1996, as part of a plan to realign U.S. production
capacity, the Company announced its intent to close its Santa Cruz,
California factory and transfer, retire, or terminate the 311
employees at that factory by the second quarter of 1997. In 1996,
the Company provided $17,000,000 for related closure costs covering
employee severance and costs to maintain and sell the property and
incurred $2,436,000 for employee relocation, training and other
transition costs related to this plan for a total charge of
$19,436,000. In 1997, the Company incurred $3,300,000 for employee
relocation, training and other transition costs. As a result of
these charges, net earnings per share are reduced by $.02 and $.11
per share in 1997 and 1996, respectively.

At December 31, 1997, a total of 305 employees have been
transferred, retired or terminated and $6,404,000 in severance and
closure costs have been incurred and charged to the reserve.
 
On January 22, 1998, the Company sold its real estate holding in
Santa Cruz, California. In the first quarter of 1998, the Company
expects to record a pretax gain of approximately $10,000,000 and
net earnings of approximately $6,500,000 or $.06 per share from the
sale of the property.


CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

The Company considers all highly-liquid investments with original
maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.


ADVERTISING

The Company expenses all advertising costs in the year incurred.
Advertising expense was $279,689,000 in 1997, $247,571,000 in 1996
and $240,925,000 in 1995.


INVESTMENTS IN DEBT & EQUITY SECURITIES
 
The Company adheres to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and
Equity Securities." Its investments in debt securities, which
typically mature in one year or less, are held to maturity and
valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value. The
aggregate fair values at December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996
were, respectively, $104,684,000 and $90,323,000 for municipal
securities, and $16,044,000 and $29,007,000 for other debt
securities. The average yield of municipal securities held at
December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996 is 4.28%
and 4.11%, respectively.
 
The Company's investments in marketable equity securities are held
for an indefinite period. Application of SFAS No. 115 resulted in
unrealized holding gains of $24,484,000 at December 31, 1997 and
$16,634,000 at December 31, 1996.  Unrealized holding gains, net of
the related tax effect, of $15,915,000 and $10,812,000 at December
31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, were included as components of
stockholders' equity.


INVENTORIES

Inventories are valued at cost on a last-in, first-out (LIFO) basis
for U.S. companies and at the lower of cost (principally first-in,
first-out basis) or market for international associated companies.
Inventories totaled $247,392,000 and $233,197,000 at December 31,
1997 and 1996, respectively, including $104,801,000 and
$101,523,000, respectively, valued at cost on a LIFO basis. If
current costs had been used, such inventories would have been
$40,674,000 and $44,268,000 higher than reported at December 31,
1997 and 1996, respectively.

<PAGE>


DEPRECIATION
 
Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the
respective assets: buildings and building equipment -- 12 to 50
years; machinery and equipment -- 3 to 20 years. Depreciation is
provided primarily by the straight-line method for international
associated companies and by the accelerated method, with a change
to straight-line in the latter years of useful life, for the U.S.
companies. The amounts were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                             1997      1996     1995
                              In thousands of dollars

<S>                         <C>       <C>      <C>    
 
Straight-line               $32,485   30,489   25,804
 
Accelerated                 $17,954   16,799   17,969
</TABLE>


OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES

Other noncurrent liabilities at December 31, 1997 included
liabilities for approximately $39,400,000 of deferred compensation
and $18,000,000 for postretirement benefit plans. At December 31,
1996, they included liabilities for approximately $26,938,000 of
deferred compensation and $16,200,000 for postretirement benefits.


FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION
AND EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

The Company has determined that the functional currency for each
associated company except for selected Eastern European entities is
its local currency. As some Eastern European entities operate in
economies which are considered to be highly inflationary, their
functional currency is the U.S. dollar.

Certain foreign associated companies enter into forward exchange
contracts and purchase currency options as nonspeculative hedges
against future purchase commitments with other associated companies
and outside vendors. In addition, the Parent Company enters into
forward exchange contracts and purchases currency options as
non-speculative hedges regarding known future royalty payments
from, and net investments in, associated companies as well as known
foreign currency commitments. Market value gains and losses,
recognized at expiration of the contracts, offset foreign exchange
gains or losses on the related transactions being hedged. At
December 31, 1997, foreign exchange rate contracts for a number of
currencies, primarily British pounds, French francs, German marks,
and U.S. dollars, maturing at various dates through December 31,
1998, aggregated $222,209,000. Open foreign exchange contracts at
December 31, 1996 aggregated $239,645,000. Unrealized gains or
losses on these contracts were not significant as of either
December 31, 1997 or 1996.


ACCRUED EXPENSES

Accrued expenses at December 31, 1997 and 1996 included $29,667,000
and $25,972,000 of payroll expenses, respectively.


COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
AND SEGMENT DISCLOSURE

In 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," and SFAS No. 131,
"Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information." These statements, which are effective for periods
beginning after December 15, 1997, modify or expand previous
disclosure requirements. The Company's statements of earnings and
cash flows will not be impacted by these statements.


EARNINGS PER SHARE

In 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
128, "Earnings per Share". This statement, which is effective for
periods ending on or after December 15, 1997, changed the method
for computing earnings per share. There is no difference between
basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ending
December 31, 1997, 1996 or 1995. SFAS No. 128 did not affect
current or previously reported earnings per share.


COMMON STOCK

The Company's 1988 Management Incentive Plan (MIP) authorized the
granting of up to 5,400,000 shares of the Company's new or reissued
Common Stock to key managers in various forms, including stock
grants and stock appreciation rights.  The 1988 MIP terminated on
March 5, 1997 with no further grants permitted. On March 5, 1997,

<PAGE>

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND NOTES (CONTINUED)

stockholders approved the Company's 1997 MIP. The 1997 MIP
authorizes the granting of up to 5,000,000 shares of the Company's
new or reissued Common Stock.

Both the 1988 MIP and 1997 MIP were designed to provide key
employees the opportunity to participate in the long-term growth
and profitability of the Company through equity-based incentives.
In accordance with either MIP, shares of Wrigley stock or deferral
share units may be awarded under the Long-Term Stock Grant, Stock
Award, and Alternate Investment and Savings Plan programs.  The
1997 MIP consolidated all of the Company's executive compensation
programs, including the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, with
the programs under the 1988 MIP. Deferral share units are also
awarded to non-employee directors.  Neither the cost to provide
share and share units nor the number of shares which may be issued
is material.

Each share of Class B Common Stock has ten votes, is restricted as
to transfer or other disposition and is convertible at any time
into one share of Common Stock.


Additional paid-in capital primarily represents the excess of fair
market value of Common Stock issued from treasury on the date the
shares of stock were awarded over the average acquisition cost of
the shares.

Treasury Stock may be acquired for the 1988 and 1997 MIP plans or
under a resolution the Board of Directors adopted at its meeting of
August 18, 1993, authorizing the Company to purchase from time to
time shares of the Company's Common Stock not to exceed
$100,000,000 in aggregate price.  On August 19, 1992, the Board of
Directors adopted a resolution retiring the entire balance of
shares of Common Stock held in the corporate treasury at that time
and all subsequent acquisitions to the extent not required for
issuance under the 1988 MIP. On December 22, 1995, 180,000 shares
of Common Stock were retired.

Following is a summary of share activity for Common Stock, Class B
Common Stock and Treasury Stock:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                   
                         COMMON   CLASS B   TREASURY
                             In thousands of shares
-------------------------------------------------------
<S>                      <C>      <C>      <C>      
Balance at 12/31/96      92,066   24,155        251
Conversion of Class B
  Shares                    479     (479)        --
Treasury Stock Purchases     --       --         56
Options Exercised and
  Stock Awards Granted       --       --        (55)
                         ------   ------        ---
Balance at 12/31/97      92,545   23,676        252
                         ======   ======        === 
</TABLE>
 

INCOME TAXES

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary
differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities
for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income
tax purposes. Components of net deferred tax assets are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                   1997        1996
                            In thousands of dollars
-------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>        <C>     
Accrued Compensation, Pension
  and Postretirement Benefits    $ 24,506    17,904
Depreciation                      (13,465)  (11,704)
Unrealized Holding Gain            (8,569)   (5,822)
Factory Closure and Related
  Costs                             3,709     5,695
All Other--Net                      7,461     7,644
                                 --------   -------
Net Deferred Tax Asset           $ 13,642    13,717
                                 ========   =======
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
 
Balance sheet classifications of deferred taxes are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                  1997        1996
                           In thousands of dollars

<S>                             <C>        <C>     
Deferred Tax Asset--
    Current                     $ 16,421    10,939
    Noncurrent                    29,038    27,984
Deferred Tax Liability--
    Current                         (943)     (816)
    Noncurrent                   (30,874)  (24,390)
                                --------   -------
Net Deferred Tax Asset          $ 13,642    13,717
                                ========   =======
</TABLE>

Applicable U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes have not been
provided on approximately $333,000,000 of undistributed earnings of
international associated companies at December 31, 1997. These
earnings are considered to be permanently invested and, under the
tax laws, are not subject to such taxes until distributed as
dividends. If the earnings were not considered permanently
invested, approximately $32,000,000 of deferred income taxes would
have been provided.

Income taxes are based on pre-tax earnings which are distributed
geographically
as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                           1997      1996        1995
                              In thousands of dollars

<S>                      <C>        <C>       <C>    
Domestic                 $172,391   161,510   172,373
Foreign                   221,849   197,602   177,858
                         --------   -------   -------
                         $394,240   359,112   350,231
                         ========   =======   =======
</TABLE>
 
Reconciliation of the provision for income taxes computed at the
U.S. Federal statutory rate of 35% for 1997, 1996, and 1995 to the
reported provision for income taxes is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                           1997      1996        1995
                              In thousands of dollars

<S>                      <C>        <C>       <C>     
Provision at
  Statutory Rate         $137,984   125,690   122,581
State Taxes--Net            8,133     8,284     8,963
Foreign Tax Rates          (1,178)       34     2,695
Tax Credits
  (principally foreign)   (16,638)     (376)   (3,223)
Other--Net                 (5,687)   (4,792)   (4,524)
                         --------   -------   -------
                         $122,614   128,840   126,492
                         ========   =======   =======
</TABLE>
 
The components of the provision for income taxes for 1997, 1996,
and 1995 were:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                      CURRENT    DEFERRED     TOTAL
                            In thousands of dollars

<S>                   <C>        <C>        <C>    
1997
    FEDERAL           $ 28,054     (3,590)   24,464
    FOREIGN             84,168        982    85,150
    STATE               13,000         --    13,000
                      --------     ------   -------
                      $125,222     (2,608)  122,614
                      ========     ======   =======

1996
    Federal           $ 47,890     (6,205)   41,685
    Foreign             72,702      1,709    74,411
    State               12,744         --    12,744
                      --------     ------   -------
                      $133,336     (4,496)  128,840
                      ========     ======   =======
 
1995
    Federal           $ 45,770     (1,333)   44,437
    Foreign             66,154      2,053    68,207
    State               13,848         --    13,848
                      --------     ------   -------
                      $125,772        720   126,492
                      ========     ======   =======
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND NOTES (CONTINUED)


RETIREMENT PLANS

The Company maintains non-contributory defined benefit pension
plans covering substantially all of its employees. Retirement
benefits are a function of the years of service and the level of
compensation, generally for the highest three consecutive salary
years occurring within ten years prior to an employee's retirement
date, depending on the plan. The Company's policy is to fund within
ERISA or other statutory limits to provide benefits earned to date
and expected to be earned in the future.

To the extent that an individual's annual retirement benefit under
the plan exceeds the limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations thereunder, such
excess benefits may be paid from the Company's non-qualified,
unfunded, non-contributory supplemental retirement
plan.

The components of consolidated net pension cost are presented
below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                            1997                    1996                    1995
 
<CAPTION>
                                     DOMESTIC   FOREIGN      DOMESTIC   FOREIGN      DOMESTIC   FOREIGN
                                                                                In thousands of dollars

<S>                                  <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>        <C>     
Service Cost--
  Benefits Earned During the Year    $  6,958     3,709         6,878     3,298         5,754     3,133
Interest Cost
  on Projected Benefit Obligation      16,120     4,556        14,769     4,145        14,202     3,809
Actual Return on Plan Assets          (35,984)  (10,470)      (26,978)   (4,824)      (31,984)   (4,258)
Net Amortization and Deferral          16,147     4,509         8,325      (501)       16,033      (301)
Other Pension Plans                       606     3,888           551     4,223           433     3,846
                                     --------   -------       -------     -----       -------     -----
Net Pension Cost                     $  3,847     6,192         3,545     6,341         4,438     6,229
                                     ========   =======       =======     =====       =======     =====
</TABLE>

Assumptions used to determine net pension cost and the actuarial
present value of the projected benefit obligation were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
<S>                                  <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>      <C>
                                            1997                     1996                     1995
 
<CAPTION>
                                     DOMESTIC   FOREIGN       DOMESTIC   FOREIGN       DOMESTIC   FOREIGN

<S>                                  <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>      <C>
Discount Rates                          7.25%   6.8-8.0%          7.5%   7.5-9.0%         7.25%   7.5-9.0%
Long-term Rates of Return on Assets      8.5%   4.0-8.5%          8.5%   7.0-9.0%          8.5%   7.0-9.0%
Rates of Increase in Compensation
  Levels                                4.75%   0.0-5.0%         4.75%   5.0-6.0%         4.75%   5.0-6.0%
</TABLE>
 

<PAGE>
 
Domestic plan assets consist primarily of high quality marketable
fixed income and equity securities. Foreign plan assets consist
primarily of contracts with insurance companies. The defined
benefit plans' funded status and the pension liability recorded in
the consolidated balance sheet were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1997                      1996
 
                                                           DOMESTIC    FOREIGN       DOMESTIC    FOREIGN
                                                                                 In thousands of dollars

<S>                                                        <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>     
Plan Assets at Fair Value                                  $266,517     76,432        240,937     61,685
Actuarial Present Value of Benefit Obligation:
  Vested benefits                                           183,807     64,260        163,489     48,109
  Nonvested benefits                                          6,677        894          5,897        669
                                                           --------    -------        -------     ------
Accumulated Benefit Obligation                              190,484     65,154        169,386     48,778
  Projected future salary increases                          47,855      6,274         41,015      7,450
                                                           --------    -------        -------     ------
  Projected benefit obligation                              238,339     71,428        210,401     56,228
                                                           --------    -------        -------     ------
Plan Assets in Excess of Projected Benefit Obligation        28,178      5,004         30,536      5,457
Less Items Not Yet Recognized in Earnings:
  Unrecognized prior service cost                            (9,160)    (3,363)          (157)      (453)
  Unrecognized net gain                                      41,482      3,228         30,624        968
  Unrecognized transition asset                               1,964      2,850          2,282      3,579
                                                           --------    -------        -------     ------
Accrued Pension Liability (Asset)                          $  6,108     (2,289)         2,213     (1,363)
                                                           ========    =======        =======     ======
</TABLE>

In addition to the defined benefit plans described above, the
Company also sponsors defined contribution plans within the U.S.
and at selected foreign associated companies. The plans cover full
time employees and provide for contributions of between 3% and 5%
of salary. The Company's expense for the defined contribution plans
totaled $4,719,000, $4,700,000, and $4,850,000 in 1997, 1996, and
1995, respectively.


<PAGE>

ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND NOTES (CONTINUED)


POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

The Company maintains certain plans which provide limited
postretirement healthcare benefits on a contributory basis and life
insurance benefits in the U.S. and at certain international
associated companies. The cost of postretirement benefits is
provided for during the employee's active working career.
 
A reconciliation of the plans' funded status to the amounts
reported in the financial statements follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                    1997       1996
                            In thousands of dollars

<S>                                <C>       <C>   
Accumulated Postretirement Benefit
  Obligation:
         Retirees                  $ 8,700    8,000
         Active Employees           19,200   17,400
                                   -------   ------
         Total                      27,900   25,400
Plan Assets                          8,200    8,000
                                   -------   ------
Accumulated Postretirement
  Benefit Obligation in Excess of
  Plan Assets                       19,700   17,400
Unrecognized Actuarial Gain (Loss)  (1,700)  (1,200)
                                   -------   ------
Accrued Postretirement Liability   $18,000   16,200
                                   -------   ------
</TABLE>

The components of the net periodic postretirement benefit cost are
as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                1997    1996     1995
                              In thousands of dollars
--------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>      <C>     <C>  
Service Cost                   $1,000   1,000     800
Interest Cost                   2,000   1,800   1,600
Return on Plan Assets            (300)   (200)   (300)
                               ------   -----   -----
Net Periodic Expense           $2,700   2,600   2,100
                               ======   =====   =====
</TABLE>
 
Actuarial assumptions used to measure the postretirement benefit
cost are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                         1997        1996            1995
<S>                   <C>          <C>         <C>       
Discount Rate              7.25%       7.50%        7.25%
Healthcare Trend to
  2002 (in 1997)      8.125-5.0%   8.75-5.0%   9.375-5.0%
Return on Plan Assets       5.5%        5.5%         5.5%
</TABLE>
 
Effects of increasing the healthcare trend rates by one percentage
point in each year are summarized below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                1997    1996     1995
                              In thousands of dollars
--------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>      <C>     <C>  
Increase Accumulated
  Postretirement Benefit
  Obligation By                $2,500   2,400   2,300
Increase Postretirement
  Benefit Cost By              $  400     350     300
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


OPERATIONS BY GEOGRAPHIC AREAS

Information concerning the Company's operations in different
geographic areas at December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, and for the
years then ended is presented below.

Operating profit is revenue less all costs and expenses other than
general corporate expenses, interest expense and income taxes.
Operating profit for North America includes costs of $3,300,000 and
$19,436,000 for 1997 and 1996, respectively, related to the closure
of the Santa Cruz factory.

Identifiable assets are those involved in the operations in each
geographic area and include all of the assets of associated
companies. Marketable equity securities held by the Parent Company
are not distributed to geographic areas, and the related dividend
income is included in the adjustments and eliminations line.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                        1997              1996              1995
                                                                            In thousands of dollars

<S>                                                  <C>                <C>               <C>       <C>
REVENUES:
     North America (principally U.S.)                $  929,015           909,540           922,185
     Europe                                             828,415           769,671           703,349
     Asia, Pacific & Other                              260,848           218,043           189,619
     Adjustments and Eliminations                       (64,104)          (46,653)          (45,411)
                                                     ----------         ---------         ---------
Total Revenues                                       $1,954,174         1,850,601         1,769,742
                                                     ==========         =========         =========
 
OPERATING PROFIT:
     North America (principally U.S.)                $  177,025           166,035           177,563
     Europe                                             176,961           153,513           141,737
     Asia, Pacific & Other                               41,962            40,866            33,975
     Adjustments and Eliminations                           394               723              (300)
                                                     ----------         ---------         ---------
                                                        396,342           361,137           352,975
 
Interest and General Corporate Expenses                  (2,102)           (2,025)           (2,744)
                                                     ----------         ---------         ---------
Earnings Before Income Taxes                         $  394,240           359,112           350,231
                                                     ==========         =========         =========
 
IDENTIFIABLE ASSETS USED IN OPERATIONS:
     North America (principally U.S.)                $  706,309           665,172           598,214
     Europe                                             446,523           409,154           353,625
     Asia, Pacific & Other                              165,400           144,933           126,931
     Adjustments and Eliminations                        (1,481)           (4,241)              622
                                                     ----------         ---------         ---------
                                                      1,316,751         1,215,018         1,079,392
 
Corporate Assets                                         26,375            18,525            19,827
                                                     ----------         ---------         ---------
Total Assets                                         $1,343,126         1,233,543         1,099,219
                                                     ==========         =========         =========
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
 
MANAGEMENT'S REPORT ON RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING
 
Management of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company is responsible for the
preparation and integrity of the financial statements and related
information presented in this Annual Report. This responsibility is
carried out through a system of internal controls to ensure that
assets are safeguarded, transactions are properly authorized and
financial records are accurate.
 
These controls include a comprehensive internal audit program,
written financial policies and procedures, appropriate division of
responsibility, and careful selection and training of personnel.
Written policies include a Code of Business Conduct prescribing
that all employees maintain the highest ethical and business
standards.

Ernst & Young LLP have conducted an independent audit of the
financial statements, and their report appears on the facing page.

The Board of Directors exercises its control responsibility through
an Audit Committee composed entirely of outside directors. The
Audit Committee meets regularly to review accounting and control
matters. Both Ernst & Young LLP and the internal auditors have
direct access to the Audit Committee and periodically meet
privately with them.

WM. WRIGLEY JR. COMPANY

Chicago, Illinois
January 28, 1998


<PAGE>
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE WM. WRIGLEY JR.
COMPANY
 
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of the
Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company and associated companies at December 31,
1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated statements of earnings,
stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 1997. These financial statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility
is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our
audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the
financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit
includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the
amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also
includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall
financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial
position of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company and associated companies at
December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the consolidated results of their
operations and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1997, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.

ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Chicago, Illinois
January 28, 1998


<PAGE>

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


NET SALES
 
Consolidated net sales for 1997 increased $101,034,000 or 6% from
1996. Net sales for 1997 were favorably impacted by higher unit
volume and selected selling price increases in international
markets, mainly in Europe, and the full year impact of 1996 price
increases in North America, primarily the U.S and Canada. Higher
shipments increased net sales 8%, while selected selling price
changes increased net sales about 3%. Translation of foreign
currency sales to a stronger U.S. dollar reduced reported net sales
by 5%. North American 1997 net sales were essentially unchanged
from 1996, as the full year impact of 1996 price increases in the
U.S. and Canada offset lower shipments. In total, North American
shipments decreased by 2% from the previous year's level mainly due
to lower unit shipments at Amurol Confections and lower U.S.
shipments of Wrigley brands.

International 1997 net sales increased by 20%, excluding the
effects of foreign currency translation. Unit volume increased 17%
in 1997, with customer shipments to emerging markets such as China
and Eastern Europe accounting for most of the volume gain.
 
Consolidated net sales for 1996 were up $81,056,000 or 5% from
1995. Net sales for 1996 were favorably affected by higher
international unit volume and selected selling price increases
mainly in Europe and North America. Higher shipments increased net
sales by 5%, while selected selling price changes increased net
sales about 2%. Translation of foreign currency sales to a stronger
U.S. dollar reduced reported net sales by 2%. North American 1996
net sales were down more than 1% from 1995. The 1996 price
increases in the U.S. and Canada tended to offset volume declines.
In total, North American shipments decreased by 4% from the
previous year's level. At Amurol Confections, lower unit shipments
reduced North American volume about 2%. Decreased sales to Mexico
and lower U.S. shipments of Wrigley brands reduced overall North
American volume about 2%.

International 1996 net sales increased by 15%, excluding the
effects of foreign currency translation. Unit volume increased 10%,
with customer shipments to emerging markets such as China and
Eastern Europe accounting for most of the volume gain.


INVESTMENT AND OTHER INCOME

In 1997, consolidated investment and other income increased
$2,539,000 or 17% from 1996, mainly due to higher average
investment balances worldwide.

In 1996, consolidated investment and other income decreased
$197,000 or 1% from 1995, mainly due to lower average yields.


COST OF SALES AND GROSS PROFIT

In April 1996, as part of a plan to realign U.S. production
capacity, the Company announced its intent to close its Santa Cruz,
California factory and transfer, retire, or terminate the 311
employees at that factory by the second quarter of 1997. In 1996,
the Company provided $17,000,000 for related closure costs covering
employee severance and costs to maintain and sell the property and
incurred $2,436,000 for employee relocation, training, and other
transition costs related to this plan for a total charge of
$19,436,000.

In 1997, the Company incurred $3,300,000 for employee relocation,
training and other transition costs. With the realignment of
production and related efficiencies, the Company estimates that its
U.S. operating costs were $7,700,000 lower than would otherwise
have been the case, resulting in a 1997 net savings of
approximately $4,400,000.

Consolidated cost of sales for 1997 increased $32,883,000 or 4%
from 1996.  Excluding the effect of foreign currency translation,
1997 cost of sales increased by about 9% from 1996 mainly due to
increased international volume.  Excluding the Santa Cruz factory
closure costs, consolidated gross profit in 1997 was
$1,089,655,000, an increase of $68,151,000 or nearly 7% from 1996.
The consolidated gross profit margin on net sales was 56.3% for
1997, up nearly 1% from the 1996 gross margin of 55.6%, reflecting
lower international product costs and savings from the above
mentioned realignment.

In 1996, consolidated cost of sales increased $36,464,000 or nearly
5% from 1995 mainly due to international volume gains and higher
product costs. Excluding the effect of foreign currency
translation, the cost of sales increase was about 8% from 1995.
Excluding the Santa Cruz factory closure costs, consolidated gross
profit in 1996 was $1,021,504,000, an increase of $44,592,000 or
nearly 5% from 1995. The consolidated gross profit margin on net
sales was 55.6% for 1996, compared to a gross margin of 55.7% for
1995.


PAGE>


SELLING, DISTRIBUTION, AND GENERAL
ADMINISTRATION EXPENSES

Consolidated 1997 selling, distribution, and general administration
expenses increased $51,837,000 or 8% from 1996. Excluding the
effects of foreign currency translation, the increase was about 13%
in 1997, mainly due to higher international selling and marketing
expenditures.

In 1996, consolidated selling, distribution, and general
administration expenses increased $16,936,000 or 3% from 1995.
Excluding the effects of foreign currency translation, the increase
was about 5% in 1996, mainly due to higher international selling
and marketing activities.

As a percentage of consolidated net sales, the expenses were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                              1997    1996     1995
<S>                           <C>     <C>     <C>  
Selling and Marketing         26.5%   25.5%   26.0%
Distribution and General
  Administration              10.1%   10.3%   10.4%
                              -----   -----   -----
                              36.6%   35.8%   36.4%
                              -----   -----   -----
</TABLE>


INCOME TAXES

Income taxes in 1997 decreased $6,226,000 or 5% from 1996. The
effective consolidated income tax rate was 31.1% in 1997 and 35.9%
in 1996. The lower effective tax rate in 1997 is mainly from tax
credits.

Income taxes in 1996 increased $2,348,000 or 2% from 1995. The
effective consolidated income tax rate was 35.9% in 1996 and 36.1%
in 1995.


NET EARNINGS

Consolidated net earnings in 1997, including costs related to the
Santa Cruz factory closure, increased $41,354,000 and $0.35 per
share or 18% from 1996.  Excluding factory closure costs, 1997 net
earnings increased $30,509,000 and $.26 per share or 12%.

Consolidated net earnings in 1996, including costs related to the
Santa Cruz factory closure, increased $6,533,000 and $.06 per share
or 3% from 1995.  Excluding factory closure costs, 1996 net
earnings increased $19,523,000 and $.17 per share or 9%.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

ADDITIONS TO PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

Capital expenditures for 1997 were $126,509,000, an increase of
$24,532,000 from 1996 capital expenditures of $101,977,000. The
1996 capital expenditures were essentially even with 1995 capital
expenditures. All of the capital expenditures for 1997 and 1996
were funded from the Company's cash flow from operations. 
Additions to property, plant, and equipment in 1998 are expected to
be above 1997 capital expenditures and are also planned to be
funded from the Company's cash flow from operations.


CURRENT RATIO

The Company has a current ratio (current assets divided by current
liabilities) in excess of 3 to 1 at December 31, 1997 and 1996.

OTHER MATTERS

SALE OF THE SANTA CRUZ FACTORY

On January 22, 1998, the Company sold its real estate holding in
Santa Cruz, California. In the first quarter of 1998, the Company
expects to record a pretax gain of approximately $10,000,000 and
net earnings of approximately $6,500,000 or $.06 per share from the
sale of the property.


YEAR 2000

The Company recognizes the potential business impacts related to
the Year 2000 technology issue. The issue is one where computer
systems may recognize the designation "00" as 1900 when it means
2000, resulting in processing failures or errors. The Company began
to address this issue in 1995, and is currently implementing
appropriate measures to ensure its business operations are not
impeded by the millennium change. The Company has made and will
continue to make investments in its computer systems and business
processes to ensure they are year 2000 compliant. In 1997, the
Company incurred approximately $5,000,000 related to this issue and
expects to incur approximately $10,000,000 in 1998.  Costs incurred
after 1998 are not expected to be significant.


MARKET RISK

Inherent in the Company's operations are certain risks related to
foreign currency, interest rates, and the equity markets. The
Company identifies these risks and mitigates their financial impact
through its corporate policies and hedging activities. The Company
has determined that movements in market values of financial
instruments used to mitigate identified risks are not expected to
have a material impact on future earnings, cash flows, or reported
fair values.


<PAGE>

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                        1997              1996              1995              1994

<S>                                  <C>                <C>               <C>               <C>       
OPERATING DATA
 
Net Sales                            $1,937,021         1,835,987         1,754,931         1,596,551
 
Cost of Sales                           847,366           814,483           778,019           697,442
 
Income Taxes                            122,614           128,840           126,492           122,746
 
Earnings before factory closure in
     1997 and 1996, nonrecurring
     gain on sale of Singapore
     property in 1994, and
     cumulative effect of accounting
     changes in 1992                    273,771           243,262           223,739           205,767
 
     --Per Share of Common Stock           2.36              2.10              1.93              1.77
          (basic and diluted)
 
Net Earnings                            271,626           230,272           223,739           230,533
     --Per Share of Common Stock           2.34              1.99              1.93              1.98
          (basic and diluted)
 
Dividends Paid                          135,680           118,308           111,401           104,694
     --Per Share of Common Stock           1.17              1.02               .96               .90
     --As a Percent of Net Earnings          50%               51%               50%               45%
 
Dividends Declared
     --Per Share of Common Stock           1.19              1.02               .99               .94
 
Average Shares Outstanding              115,964           115,983           116,066           116,358
 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA
 
Net Property, Plant and Equipment    $  430,474           388,149           347,491           289,420
 
Total Assets                          1,343,126         1,233,543         1,099,219           978,834
 
Working Capital                         571,857           511,272           458,683           413,414
 
Stockholders' Equity                    985,379           897,431           796,852           688,470
 
Return on Average Equity                   28.9%             27.2%             30.1%             36.5%
 
Stockholders at Close of Year            36,587            34,951            28,959            24,078
 
Employees at Close of Year                8,200             7,800             7,300             7,000
 
Market Price of Stock--High              82.063            62.875            54.000            53.875
 
                     --Low               54.563            48.375            42.875            38.125
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
       1993        1992        1991        1990       1989      1988      1987
                 In thousands of dollars and shares except for per share amounts

<S>              <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>       <C>       <C>     
 
     1,428,504   1,286,921   1,148,875   1,110,639   992,853   891,392   781,059
 
       617,156     572,468     507,795     508,957   451,773   392,460   338,081
 
       103,944      83,730      79,362      70,897    64,277    53,491    52,863
 
       174,891     148,573     128,652     117,362   106,149    87,236    70,145
 
          1.50        1.27        1.09        1.00       .90       .73       .56
 
       174,891     141,295     128,652     117,362   106,149    87,236    70,145
          1.50        1.21        1.09        1.00       .90       .73       .56
 
        87,344      72,511      64,609      58,060    53,506    43,591    35,080
           .75         .62         .55         .49       .45       .36       .28
            50%         51%         50%         49%       50%       50%       50%
 
           .75         .63         .55         .51       .47       .37       .29
 
       116,511     117,055     117,517     117,743   118,035   120,308   125,006
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
       239,868     222,137     201,386     188,959   171,951   155,260   151,425
 
       815,324     711,372     625,074     563,665   498,624   440,400   407,350
 
       343,132     299,149     276,047     229,735   186,588   165,430   149,154
 
       575,182     498,935     463,399     401,386   342,994   308,538   288,965
 
          32.6%       29.4%       29.8%       31.5%     32.6%     29.2%     24.1%
 
        18,567      14,546      11,086      10,497    10,218     9,440     9,351
 
         6,700       6,400       6,250       5,850     5,750     5,500     5,500
 
        46.125      39.875      27.000      19.750    17.917    13.750    11.833
 
        29.500      22.125      16.375      14.583    11.833    10.667     6.500
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
 
QUARTERLY DATA
 
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               NET SALES    COST OF SALES      NET EARNINGS
 
                                                                            AMOUNT    PER SHARE
                                           In thousands of dollars except for per share amounts
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                            <C>          <C>             <C>       <C>       
1997
     FIRST QUARTER                             $  447,607         196,066    62,849         .54
     SECOND QUARTER                               521,272         225,348    76,647         .66
     THIRD QUARTER                                481,938         208,931    69,526         .60
     FOURTH QUARTER                               486,204         217,021    62,604         .54
                                               ----------       ---------   -------       -----
          TOTAL                                $1,937,021         847,366   271,626        2.34
                                               ==========       =========   =======       =====
1996
     First Quarter                             $  426,674         187,864    57,613         .50
     Second Quarter(1)                            483,625         214,217    57,043         .49
     Third Quarter                                462,425         203,782    61,207         .53
     Fourth Quarter                               463,263         208,620    54,409         .47
                                               ----------       ---------   -------        ----
          Total                                $1,835,987         814,483   230,272        1.99
                                               ==========       =========   =======        ====
</TABLE>
 
(1) Net earnings and earnings per share for the 2nd quarter 1996
    included charges of $11,200,000 and $.10 respectively from the
    closure of the Santa Cruz factory.
 
MARKET PRICES
 
Although there is no established public trading market for the
Class B Common Stock, these shares are at all times convertible
into shares of Common Stock on a one-for-one basis and are entitled
to identical dividend payments.
 
The Common Stock of the Company is listed and traded on the New
York Stock Exchange. The table below presents the high and low
sales prices for the two most recent years.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                  1997                                     1996
 
                                                        HIGH                 LOW                  HIGH               LOW
<S>                                                 <C> <C>             <C> <C>               <C> <C>            <C> <C>     
First Quarter                                       $62 1/2              54 9/16               62 7/8             52 1/4
Second Quarter                                       71 3/8              55 3/4                59 5/8             49
Third Quarter                                        77 5/16             67 1/8                61 3/8             48 3/8
Fourth Quarter                                       82 1/16             64 7/8                62                 55 1/8
                                                   
</TABLE>
 
DIVIDENDS
 
The following table indicates the quarterly breakdown of aggregate
dividends declared per share of Common Stock and Class B Common
Stock for the two most recent years.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                   1997                      1996
 
                                          REGULAR   EXTRA   TOTAL   REGULAR   EXTRA   TOTAL
<S>                                       <C>       <C>     <C>     <C>       <C>     <C>   
First Quarter                                $.19             .19       .17             .17
Second Quarter                                .19             .19       .17             .17
Third Quarter                                 .19             .19       .17             .17
Fourth Quarter                                .19     .43     .62       .17     .34     .51
                                            -----     ---   -----       ---     ---    ----
     Total                                   $.76     .43    1.19       .68     .34    1.02
                                            =====     ===   =====       ===     ===    ====
</TABLE>


<PAGE>
 
ELECTED OFFICERS -- 1997
 
William Wrigley
President & Chief Executive Officer
 
Douglas S. Barrie
Group Vice President
 
Ronald O. Cox
Group Vice President
 
John F. Bard
Senior Vice President
 
Martin J. Geraghty
Senior Vice President -- Manufacturing
 
William Wrigley, Jr.
Vice President
 
Donald E. Balster
Vice President -- Production
 
Gary R. Bebee
Vice President -- Customer Marketing
 
David E. Boxell
Vice President -- Personnel
 
J. E. Dy-Liacco
Vice President -- International
(retired December 31, 1997)
 
Susan S. Fox
Vice President -- Consumer Marketing
 
Philip G. Hamilton
Vice President -- International
 
Shaun Kim
Vice President -- Engineering
 
Dennis R. Mally
Vice President -- Information Services
 
Jon Orving
Vice President -- International
 
Dushan Petrovich
Vice President -- Controller
 
Stefan Pfander
Vice President -- International and
Managing Director -- Europe
 
Wm. M. Piet
Vice President -- Corporate Affairs,
Secretary and Assistant to the President
 
John A. Schafer
Vice President -- Purchasing
 
Philip G. Schnell
Vice President -- Research & Development
 
Christafor E. Sundstrom
Vice President -- Corporate Development
 
Philip C. Johnson
Senior Director -- Benefits and Compensation
 
Alan J. Schneider
Treasurer
 
John H. Sutton
General Manager -- Converting Division

<PAGE>
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS -- 1997
 
LOGO
-------------------------------------------------
WILLIAM WRIGLEY
Director of the Company since 1960
Joined the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company in 1956
President & Chief Executive Officer since 1961
Director, Texaco, Inc., since 1974
Director, American Home Products Corp., since 1981
Director, Grocery Manufacturers of America, since 1983
 
COMMITTEES OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS


AUDIT
 
CHARLES F. ALLISON III chairman
 
THOMAS A. KNOWLTON
 
PENNY PRITZKER
 
STEVEN B. SAMPLE
 
RICHARD K. SMUCKER
 

COMPENSATION
 
ROBERT P. BILLINGSLEY chairman
 
CHARLES F. ALLISON III
 
LEE PHILLIP BELL
 
THOMAS A. KNOWLTON
 

NOMINATING
 
RICHARD K. SMUCKER chairman
 
LEE PHILLIP BELL
 
ROBERT P. BILLINGSLEY
 
PENNY PRITZKER
 
LOGO

CHARLES F. ALLISON III
Director of the Company since 1980
Joined Booz-Allen & Hamilton in 1958
Partner of Counsel since 1996
Senior Vice President (1977-96)
 
LOGO
 

DOUGLAS S. BARRIE
Director of the Company since 1996
Joined the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company in 1983
Group Vice President since 1984
 
LOGO
 

LEE PHILLIP BELL
Director of the Company since 1981
Director, Bell Phillip TV Productions, since 1980
Co-Creator, The Bold and the Beautiful and
  The Young and the Restless
 

<PAGE>
 
LOGO

ROBERT P. BILLINGSLEY
Director of the Company since 1977
Executive Vice President, WLD Enterprises (1987-94)
Vice President, Northern Trust Bank of Florida (1981-86)
Vice President, Northern Trust Company (1966-81)
(retiring March 3, 1998)
 
LOGO

THOMAS A. KNOWLTON
Director of the Company since 1996
Joined the Kellogg Company in 1980
Executive Vice President since 1992
President, Kellogg North America, since 1994
President, Kellogg Europe (1992-94)
 
LOGO

PENNY PRITZKER
Director of the Company since 1994
President, Classic Residence by Hyatt, since 1987
Partner, Pritzker & Pritzker, since 1985
President, Penguin Group L.P., since 1989
Director, Coast-to-Coast Financial Corporation, since 1990
 
LOGO

STEVEN B. SAMPLE
Director of the Company since 1997
President, University of Southern California, since 1991
President, State University of New York, Buffalo (1982-91)
Director, Presley Companies, since 1991
Director, Unova, Inc., since 1997
 
LOGO

ALEX SHUMATE
Director of the Company since 1998
Joined law firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey in 1988
Managing Partner of the Columbus Office since 1991
Chief Counsel and Deputy Chief of Staff
  to Governor of Ohio (1985-88)
Director, Banc One Corporation, since 1993
Director, Intimate Brands, Inc., since 1996
(elected January 28, 1998)
 
LOGO

RICHARD K. SMUCKER
Director of the Company since 1988
Joined The J. M. Smucker Company in 1972
President since 1987 and Director since 1975
Director, Sherwin-Williams Company, since 1991
Director, International Multifoods, Inc., since 1997
 
LOGO

WILLIAM WRIGLEY, JR.
Director of the Company since 1988
Joined the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company in 1985
Vice President since 1991
Assistant to the President (1985-92)
Director, The J. M. Smucker Company, since 1991


<PAGE>
 
STOCKHOLDER INFORMATION
 

STOCKHOLDER INQUIRIES
 
Any inquiries about your Wrigley stockholdings should be directed
to:
  Stockholder Relations
  Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
  410 North Michigan Avenue
  Chicago, Illinois 60611
  1-800-824-9681
 
For additional information about the Company, please visit our
Internet home
page at: http://www.wrigley.com
 
--------------------------------------------------------
CAPITAL STOCK
 
Common Stock of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company is traded on the New
York Stock Exchange. The Company's symbol is WWY.
 
Class B Common Stock, issued to stockholders of record on April 4,
1986, has restricted transferability and is not traded on the New
York Stock Exchange. It is at all times convertible, on a
share-for-share basis, into Common Stock and once converted is
freely transferable and publicly traded. Class B Common Stock also
has the same rights as Common Stock with respect to cash dividends
and treatment upon liquidation.


DIVIDENDS

Regular quarterly dividends are paid in advance on the first
business day of February, May, August, and November with the record
date for each payment falling on or about the 15th of the prior
month. The Company also has a long history of paying "extra"
dividends. In recent years, a single "extra" dividend has been paid
in December.


DIRECT DIVIDEND DEPOSIT SERVICE

The Direct Dividend Deposit Service allows stockholders to receive
cash dividends through electronic deposits into their checking or
savings account.


DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

The Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRP) is open to all stockholders of
record. The Plan is administered by FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY OF
NEW YORK and uses cash dividends on both Common Stock and Class B
Common Stock, along with voluntary cash contributions, to purchase
additional shares of Common Stock. Cash contributions can be made
monthly for a minimum of $50 and a maximum of $5,000.

All shares purchased through the Plan are retained in a DRP
account, so there are no certificates that could be lost,
misplaced, or stolen. Additionally, once a DRP account is
established, a participant can deposit any Wrigley stock
certificates held outside the Plan into the account for
safekeeping. The Company pays all brokerage and administrative
costs associated with the DRP.

Nearly 27,000 or 73% of the Company's stockholders of record
currently participate in the DRP. A brochure fully describing the
Plan and its enrollment procedure is available upon request.


STOCK CERTIFICATES

For security and tax purposes, stockholders should keep a record of
all of their stock certificates. The record should be kept in a
separate place from the certificates themselves and should contain
the following information for each certificate: exact registration,
number of shares, certificate number, date of certificate, and the
original cost of the shares.

If a stock certificate is lost or stolen, notification should be
sent to the Company immediately. The transfer agent has two
requirements to be met before a new certificate will be issued --
a completed affidavit and payment for an indemnity bond based on
the current market value of the lost or stolen stock.  The
replacement of a certificate will take about a week to ten days.
Even if a certificate is lost or stolen, the stockholder will
continue to receive dividends on those shares while the new
certificate is being issued.


<PAGE>

A transfer of stock is required when the shares are sold or when
there is any change in name or ownership of the stock. To be
accepted for transfer, the stockholder's signature on the
certificate or stock power must receive a Medallion Signature
Guarantee by a qualified financial institution that participates in
the Medallion Guarantee program. A verification by a notary public
is not sufficient. Anytime a certificate is mailed, it should be
sent registered mail, return receipt requested.


CONSOLIDATION OF MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS

To avoid receiving duplicate mailings, stockholders with more than
one Wrigley account may want to consolidate their shares. For more
information, please contact the Company.


COMPANY PUBLICATIONS

The Company's 1997 annual report to the Securities and Exchange
Commission on Form 10-K is expected to be available on or about
April 3, 1998.

Other publications that are currently available include:

  The Wrigley Way: Continuing our Legacy of
     Social Responsibility
  The Story of Chewing Gum and the
     Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company
  A Historical Look at the Wrigley Building
 
Requests for these publications should be addressed to Corporate
Communications at the main office of the Company. They are also
available for review at our Internet home page
(http://www.wrigley.com).


TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

The First Chicago Trust Company of New York
P. O. Box 2500
Jersey City, New Jersey 07303-2500
1-800-446-2617


<PAGE>

CORPORATE FACILITIES AND PRINCIPAL ASSOCIATED COMPANIES -- 1997

CORPORATE FACILITIES         PRINCIPAL ASSOCIATED COMPANIES
HEADQUARTERS
Wrigley Building
410 North Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
PRODUCTION FACILITIES
Chicago, Illinois
Gainesville, Georgia
                             DOMESTIC
 
Amurol Confections Company*
Yorkville, Illinois 60560
 
Four-Ten Corporation
Chicago, Illinois 60611
 
L. A. Dreyfus Company*
Edison, New Jersey 08820
 
Northwestern Flavors, Inc.*
West Chicago, Illinois 60185
 
                             INTERNATIONAL
 
The Wrigley Company Pty. Limited*
Sydney, Australia
 
Wrigley Austria Ges.m.b.H.*
Salzburg, Austria
 
Wrigley Bulgaria EooD
Sofia, Bulgaria
 
Wrigley Canada Inc.*
Don Mills, Ontario, Canada
 
Wrigley Chewing Gum Company Ltd.*
Guangzhou, Guangdong,
People's Republic of China
 
Wrigley s.r.o.
Prague, Czech Republic
 
The Wrigley Company Limited*
Plymouth, England, U.K.
 
Oy Wrigley Scandinavia Ab
Turku, Finland
 
Wrigley France S.N.C.*
Biesheim, France
 
Wrigley G.m.b.H.
Munich, Germany
 
Wrigley N.V.
Amsterdam, Holland
 
The Wrigley Company (H.K.) Limited
Hong Kong
 
Wrigley Hungaria, Kft.
Budapest, Hungary
 
Wrigley India Private Limited*
Bangalore, Karnataka, India
 
Wrigley Israel Ltd.
Herzeliya-Pituach, Israel
 
Wrigley & Company, Ltd., Japan
Tokyo, Japan
 
The Wrigley Company (East Africa)
Limited*
Nairobi, Kenya
 
The Wrigley Company (Malaysia)
Sdn. Bhd.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
 
The Wrigley Company (N.Z.) Limited
Auckland, New Zealand
 
Wrigley Scandinavia AS
Oslo, Norway
 
The Wrigley Company (P.N.G.)
Pty. Ltd.
Port Moresby, Papua, New Guinea
 
Wrigley Philippines, Inc.*
Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines
 
Wrigley Poland Sp zo.o.*
Poznan, Poland
 
Wrigley Romania Produse
Zaharoase SRL
Bucharest, Romania
 
Wrigley T.O.O.
Moscow, Russia
St. Petersburg, Russia (branch)**
 
Wrigley Slovakia, s.r.o.
Banska Bystrica, Slovakia
 
Wrigley d.o.o.
Ljubljana, Slovenia
 
Wrigley Co., S.A.
Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Canary Islands, Spain
 
Wrigley Scandinavia AB
Stockholm, Sweden
 
Wrigley Taiwan, Limited*
Taipei, Taiwan, R.O.C.
 * Denotes production facility.
 
** Under construction.