FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                       97-70



 Staff Releases Questions and Answers About the New Market Risk
                        Disclosure Rules

     Washington, D.C., August 15, 1997 -- A staff publication
containing frequently asked questions and answers about the
Commission's new market risk disclosure rules was made available to
the public today.  The rules, adopted by the Commission on January
28, 1997 (Securities Act Release No. 7386) require disclosures
about the policies used to account for derivatives, and certain
quantitative and qualitative information about market risk
exposures.  The publication was prepared by the staffs of the
Office of the Chief Accountant and the Division of Corporation
Finance to assist companies that must provide the quantitative and
qualitative disclosures.  Under the phase-in provisions of the
rules, some companies will provide the required disclosures in
filings that contain audited financial statements for fiscal years
ended after June 15, 1997.  This publication and subsequent
revisions and additions, will be posted at the Commissions's
internet site: www.sec.gov.



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