Registration No. 333-


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                             -----------------------
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      Under
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                             Kentucky Power Company
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Kentucky                                                              61-0247775
(State or other jurisdiction                                    (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)                            Identification No.)

1701 Central Avenue
Ashland, Kentucky                                                          41101
(Address of principal executive offices)                              (Zip Code)

      Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (800) 572-1141

                           ARMANDO A. PENA, Treasurer
                  AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER SERVICE CORPORATION
                                1 Riverside Plaza
                              Columbus, Ohio 43215
                                 (614) 223-2850
                (Name, address and telephone number, including
                       area code, of agent for service)

         It is respectfully  requested that the Commission send copies of
                   all notices, orders and communications to:

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett                           Dewey Ballantine LLP
425 Lexington Avenue                                 301 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10017-3909                              New York, NY 10019-6092
Attention:  James M. Cotter                          Attention: E. N. Ellis,IV
                             -------------------

      Approximate  date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  As soon
as practicable after the effective date of the Registration Statement.

                             -------------------

      If the only  securities  being  registered  on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest  reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. [ ]


      If any of the securities  being  registered on this Form are to be offered
on a delayed or continuous  basis  pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act
of 1933,  other than  securities  offered only in  connection  with  dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [x]
      If this Form is filed to register  additional  securities  for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list  the  Securities  Act  registration  statement  number  of the  earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
      If this Form is a  post-effective  amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the  Securities  Act,  check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration  statement number of the earlier effective  registration  statement
for the same offering. [ ]
      If delivery of the  prospectus  is expected to be made  pursuant to Rule
434, please check the following box.  [ ]


                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
==================-------------------------------------------==================
    Title of                         Proposed
   Each Class                        Maximum       Proposed
       of                            Offering       Maximum
   Securities          Amount         Price        Aggregate        Amount of
      to be            to be        Per Unit*      Offering     Registration Fee
   Registered        Registered                     Price*
===============================================================================
    Unsecured
      Notes         $28,000,000        100%       $28,000,000        $7,784
===============================================================================

*Estimated solely for purpose of calculating the registration fee.


      The registrant hereby amends this  registration  statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall
file a further  amendment  which  specifically  states  that  this  registration
statement shall  thereafter  become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities  Act of 1933, or until the  registration  statement  shall become
effective on such date as the Commission,  acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.

         ------------------------------------------------------------------

      The within Prospectus contains the information required by Rule 429 of the
Commission  under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to $22,000,000 of Debt
Securities of the registrant  remaining unsold under Registration  Statement No.
333-35767, and to $100,000,000 of Debt Securities of the registrant unsold under
Registration Statement No. 33-53007, for which an aggregate fee of $40,180 was 
paid.



      The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed.  We
may not sell these securities  until the  registration  statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer
to sell these  securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities
in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED APRIL 6, 1999

                                   PROSPECTUS

                             KENTUCKY POWER COMPANY
                               1701 Central Avenue
                             Ashland, Kentucky 41101
                                 (800) 572-1141

                                 $150,000,000

                                 UNSECURED NOTES

                                  TERMS OF SALE

The  following  terms  may  apply to the  notes  that we may sell at one or more
times.  A pricing  supplement  will include the final terms for each note. If we
decide to list  upon  issuance  any note or notes on a  securities  exchange,  a
pricing  supplement  will identify the exchange and state when we expect trading
could begin.

      - Mature 9 months to 42 years

      - Fixed or floating interest rate. The floating interest rate formula
        would be based on:
            Commercial paper rate            LIBOR
            Prime rate                       Treasury rate
            CD rate                          CMT rate
            Federal Funds rate               Another interest rate index

      - Remarketing features

      - Certificate or book-entry form

      - Subject to redemption

      - Not convertible, amortized or subject to a sinking fund

      - Interest paid on fixed rate notes quarterly or semi-annually

      - Interest paid on floating rate notes monthly, quarterly,
        semi-annually, or annually

      - Issued in multiples of a minimum denomination

The notes have not been approved by the SEC or any state securities  commission,
nor have these  organizations  determined  that this  prospectus  is accurate or
complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

           The date of this prospectus is _________________, 1999.





                       WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

      This prospectus is part of a registration statement we filed with the SEC.
We also file annual,  quarterly and special reports and other  information  with
the  SEC.  You may  read  and copy  any  document  we file at the  SEC's  Public
Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C. 20549. Please call
the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further  information on the Public Reference Room.
You  may  also   examine  our  SEC  filings   through  the  SEC's  web  site  at
http://www.sec.gov.

      The SEC allows us to  "incorporate  by reference" the  information we file
with them,  which means that we can  disclose  important  information  to you by
referring you to those documents.  The information  incorporated by reference is
considered to be part of this  prospectus,  and later  information  that we file
with the SEC will  automatically  update  and  supersede  this  information.  We
incorporate by reference the documents  listed below and any future filings made
with the SEC  under  Sections  13(a),  13(c),  14,  or  15(d) of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 until we sell all the notes.

     - Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.


You may request a copy of these  filings,  at no cost, by writing or telephoning
us at the following address:

       Mr. G. C. Dean
       American Electric Power Service Corporation
       1 Riverside Plaza
       Columbus, Ohio 43215
       614-223-1000

      You should  rely only on the  information  incorporated  by  reference  or
provided in this  prospectus or any  supplement.  We have not authorized  anyone
else to provide you with  different  information.  We are not making an offer of
these notes in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume
that the  information in this prospectus or any supplement is accurate as of any
date other than the date on the front of those documents.

                                   THE COMPANY

      We generate,  sell,  purchase,  transmit and distribute electric power. We
serve  approximately  170,000  customers in eastern  Kentucky.  We also sell and
transmit  power  at  wholesale  to  other  electric  utilities,  municipalities,
electric  cooperatives  and non-utility  entities engaged in the wholesale power
market.  Our  principal  executive  offices are located at 1701 Central  Avenue,
Ashland, Kentucky 41101 (telephone number 800-572-1141).  We are a subsidiary of
American Electric Power Company,  Inc., a public utility holding company, and we
are a part  of the  American  Electric  Power  integrated  utility  system.  The
executive  offices of American  Electric  Power  Company,  Inc. are located at 1
Riverside Plaza, Columbus, Ohio 43215 (telephone number 614-223-1000).

                             PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENTS

      We provide  information to you about the notes in three separate documents
that  progressively  provide more detail:  (a) this prospectus  provides general
information  some of which may not  apply to your  notes,  (b) the  accompanying
prospectus  supplement  provides more specific terms of your notes,  and (c) the
pricing  supplement  provides the final terms of your notes. It is important for
you to consider the  information  contained in this  prospectus,  the prospectus
supplement



and the pricing supplement in making your investment decision.

                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

      The Ratio of Earnings to Fixed  Charges for each of the periods  indicated
is as follows:

     Twelve Months
     Period Ended             Ratio
     December 31, 1994        2.30
     December 31, 1995        2.22
     December 31, 1996        1.88
     December 31, 1997        2.12
     December 31, 1998        2.09

For current  information on the Ratio of Earnings to Fixed  Charges,  please see
our most recent Form 10-K and 10-Q. See Where You Can Find More Information.


                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

      The net  proceeds  from the  sale of the  notes  will be used for  general
corporate  purposes  relating to our utility  business.  These purposes  include
redeeming or repurchasing  outstanding debt and other corporate purposes.  If we
do not  use  the  net  proceeds  immediately,  we  temporarily  invest  them  in
short-term,  interest-bearing  obligations.  We estimate  that our  construction
costs in 1999 will approximate  $42,500,000.  At March 24, 1999, our outstanding
short-term debt was $12,000,000.

                            DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
General

      We will issue the notes under the  Indenture  dated  September 1, 1997 (as
previously  supplemented  and amended)  entered into between us and the Trustee,
Bankers Trust Company.  This prospectus  briefly outlines some provisions of the
Indenture.  If you would like more information on these  provisions,  review the
Indenture and any  supplemental  indentures or company  orders that we file with
the SEC.  See  Where  You Can  Find  More  Information  on how to  locate  these
documents.  You may also review these documents at the Trustee's offices at Four
Albany Street, New York, New York.

      The Indenture  does not limit the amount of notes that may be issued.  The
Indenture  permits us to issue notes in one or more series or tranches  upon the
approval  of our board of  directors  and as  described  in one or more  company
orders or supplemental  indentures.  Each series of notes may differ as to their
terms.

       The notes are  unsecured  and will rank  equally  with all our  unsecured
unsubordinated  debt.  Substantially  all of our fixed properties and franchises
are subject to the lien of our first  mortgage bonds issued under and secured by
a  Mortgage  and  Deed  of  Trust,  dated  as of  May  1,  1949,  as  previously
supplemented and amended,  between us and Bankers Trust Company, as trustee. For
current  information on our debt  outstanding  see our most recent Form 10-K and
10-Q. See Where You Can Find More Information.

      The notes will be denominated in U.S. dollars and we will pay principal
and interest in U.S. dollars. Unless an applicable pricing or prospectus
supplement states otherwise, the notes will not be subject to any conversion,
amortization, or sinking fund. We expect that



the  notes  will  be  "book-entry,"  represented  by  a  permanent  global  note
registered  in the name of The  Depository  Trust  Company,  or its nominee.  We
reserve the right, however, to issue note certificates registered in the name of
the noteholders.

      In the discussion that follows, whenever we talk about paying principal on
the notes,  we mean at maturity or redemption.  Also, in discussing the time for
notices and how the different  interest rates are calculated,  all times are New
York City time and all references to New York mean the City of New York,  unless
otherwise noted.

      The following  terms may apply to each note as specified in the applicable
pricing or prospectus supplement and the note.

Redemptions

      If we issue  redeemable  notes,  we may  redeem  such  notes at our option
unless an applicable  pricing or prospectus  supplement  states  otherwise.  The
pricing or  prospectus  supplement  will state the terms of  redemption.  We may
redeem notes in whole or in part by delivering written notice to the noteholders
no more than 60, and not less than 30,  days prior to  redemption.  If we do not
redeem all the notes of a series at one time,  the Trustee  selects the notes to
be redeemed in a manner it determines to be fair.

Remarketed Notes

      If we issue notes with  remarketing  features,  an  applicable  pricing or
prospectus supplement will describe the terms for the notes including:  interest
rate, remarketing  provisions,  our right to redeem notes, the holders' right to
tender notes, and any other provisions.

Book-Entry Notes - Registration, Transfer, and Payment of Interest and Principal

      Book-entry  notes of a series  will be issued in the form of a global note
that the Trustee will deposit with The Depository  Trust Company,  New York, New
York  ("DTC").  This  means  that we will not issue  note  certificates  to each
holder.  One or  more  global  notes  will be  issued  to DTC  who  will  keep a
computerized record of its participants (for example, your broker) whose clients
have purchased the notes. The participant will then keep a record of its clients
who purchased  the notes.  Unless it is exchanged in whole or in part for a note
certificate,  a  global  note  may not be  transferred;  except  that  DTC,  its
nominees,  and their  successors  may  transfer a global  note as a whole to one
another.

      Beneficial  interests in global  notes will be shown on, and  transfers of
global  notes  will be made  only  through,  records  maintained  by DTC and its
participants.

      DTC has provided us the following  information:  DTC is a  limited-purpose
trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a "banking organization"
within the meaning of the New York  Banking  Law, a member of the United  States
Federal Reserve System, a "clearing  corporation"  within the meaning of the New
York  Uniform  Commercial  Code and a  "clearing  agency"  registered  under the
provisions  of Section 17A of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934.  DTC holds
securities that its participants ("Direct  Participants")  deposit with DTC. DTC
also  records  the   settlement   among  Direct   Participants   of   securities
transactions,  such as transfers and pledges,  in deposited  securities  through
computerized records for Direct Participant's accounts. This eliminates the need
to exchange note certificates.  Direct  Participants  include securities brokers
and dealers,  banks,  trust companies,  clearing  corporations and certain other
organizations.


      Other  organizations  such as  securities  brokers and dealers,  banks and
trust companies that work through a Direct Participant also use DTC's book-entry
system.  The rules that apply to DTC and its  participants  are on file with the
SEC.

      A number of its Direct Participants and the New York Stock Exchange,
Inc., The American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. own DTC.

      We will wire principal and interest payments to DTC's nominee.  We and the
Trustee  will  treat  DTC's  nominee  as the owner of the  global  notes for all
purposes.  Accordingly, we, the Trustee and any paying agent will have no direct
responsibility  or liability to pay amounts due on the global notes to owners of
beneficial interests in the global notes.

      It is DTC's current practice,  upon receipt of any payment of principal or
interest, to credit Direct Participants'  accounts on the payment date according
to their  respective  holdings of  beneficial  interests  in the global notes as
shown on DTC's records. In addition,  it is DTC's current practice to assign any
consenting or voting rights to Direct  Participants  whose accounts are credited
with notes on a record date. The customary  practices  between the  participants
and owners of  beneficial  interests  will govern  payments by  participants  to
owners of beneficial  interests in the global notes and voting by  participants,
as is the case with  notes  held for the  account  of  customers  registered  in
"street name." However,  payments will be the responsibility of the participants
and not of DTC, the Trustee or us.

      DTC management is aware that some computer applications,  systems, and the
like for processing  data  ("Systems")  that are dependent upon calendar  dates,
including  dates before,  on and after January 1, 2000, may encounter "Year 2000
problems." DTC has informed its  Participants and other members of the financial
community (the  "Industry")  that it has developed and is implementing a program
so that its Systems,  as the same relate to the timely payment of  distributions
(including  principal  and  income  payments)  to  securityholders,   book-entry
deliveries,  and settlement of trades within DTC ("DTC  Services"),  continue to
function  appropriately.  This  program  includes a technical  assessment  and a
remediation plan, each of which is complete. Additionally, DTC's plan includes a
testing phase, which is expected to be completed within appropriate time frames.

      However,  DTC's ability to perform properly its services is also dependent
upon other  parties,  including but not limited to issuers and their agents,  as
well as third party vendors from whom DTC licenses  software and  hardware,  and
third  party  vendors on whom DTC relies for  information  or the  provision  of
services,  including telecommunication and electrical utility service providers,
among  others.  DTC has informed the Industry  that it is  contacting  (and will
continue to contact) third party vendors from whom DTC acquires services to: (i)
impress upon them the importance of such services being Year 2000 compliant; and
(ii)  determine the extent of their efforts for Year 2000  remediation  (and, as
appropriate,  testing) of their services. In addition,  DTC is in the process of
developing such contingency plans as it deems appropriate.

      According to DTC, the foregoing  information  with respect to DTC has been
provided to the Industry for informational  purposes only and is not intended to
serve as a representation, warranty, or contract modification of any kind.


      Notes  represented  by  a  global  note  will  be  exchangeable  for  note
certificates with the same terms in authorized denominations only if:

     - DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as  depositary
     or if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency  registered  under  applicable law
     and a successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days; or

     - we  determine  not  to  require  all  of  the  notes  of a  series  to be
     represented by a global note and notify the Trustee of our decision.

Note Certificates-Registration, Transfer, and Payment of Interest and Principal

      If we issue note certificates,  they will be registered in the name of the
noteholder.   The  notes  may  be   transferred   or   exchanged,   pursuant  to
administrative  procedures in the indenture,  without the payment of any service
charge  (other  than any tax or other  governmental  charge) by  contacting  the
paying agent. Payments on note certificates will be made by check.

Interest Rate

      General

      We have  provided a Glossary at the end of this  prospectus  to define the
capitalized terms used in discussing the interest rates payable on the notes.

      The  interest  rate on the notes  will  either be fixed or  floating.  The
interest  paid will  include  interest  accrued to, but  excluding,  the date of
maturity or  redemption.  Interest is  generally  payable to the person in whose
name the note is  registered  at the close of business on the record date before
each interest payment date. Interest payable at maturity or redemption, however,
will be payable to the person to whom principal is payable.

      If we  issue a note  after a record  date  but on or prior to the  related
interest  payment date, we will pay the first  interest  payment on the interest
payment date after the next record date. We will pay interest  payments by check
or wire transfer, at our option.

      Fixed Rate Notes

      Each pricing or  prospectus  supplement  will  designate the record dates,
payment  dates and the fixed rate of  interest  payable  on a note.  We will pay
interest quarterly or semi-annually,  and upon maturity or redemption. Unless an
applicable  pricing or prospectus  supplement states  otherwise,  if any payment
date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, we will pay interest on the next
Business Day and no additional  interest will be paid. Interest payments will be
the amount of interest  accrued to, but excluding,  each payment date.  Interest
will be computed using a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

      Floating Rate Notes:  General

      Each floating  rate note will have an interest  rate formula.  The formula
may be based on:

          - the  commercial  paper rate;
          - the prime rate;
          - the CD rate;
          - the federal funds  effective  rate;
          - the LIBOR;
          - the Treasury rate;
          - the CMT rate; or
          - another interest rate index.


      The  applicable  pricing  supplement  will also indicate the Spread and/or
Spread  Multiplier,  if any.  In  addition,  any  floating  rate note may have a
maximum or minimum interest rate limitation.

      Upon request, the Calculation Agent will provide the current interest rate
and, if  different,  the interest  rate which will become  effective on the next
Interest Reset Date.

      Floating Rate Notes: Date of Interest Rate Change

      The interest rate on each  floating rate note may be reset daily,  weekly,
monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. The Interest Reset Date will be:

     - for notes which reset daily, each Business Day;

     - for notes (other than Treasury rate notes) which reset weekly, the
     Wednesday of each week;

     - for Treasury rate notes which reset weekly, the Tuesday of each week; for
     notes which reset monthly, on the third Wednesday of each month;

     - for notes which reset quarterly, the third Wednesday of March, June,
     September and December;

     - for notes  which  reset  semi-annually,  the third  Wednesday  of the two
     months of each year indicated in the applicable pricing supplement; and

     - for notes which reset annually,  the third Wednesday of the month of each
     year indicated in the applicable pricing supplement.

      The applicable  pricing supplement will state the initial interest rate or
interest  rate formula on each note  effective  until the first  Interest  Reset
Date.  After that,  the interest  rate will be the rate  determined  on the next
Interest  Determination  Date, as explained below. Each time a new interest rate
is determined,  it will become effective on the subsequent  Interest Reset Date.
If any Interest  Reset Date is not a Business Day, then the Interest  Reset Date
will be  postponed to the next  Business  Day.  However,  in the case of a LIBOR
note, if the next Business Day is in the next calendar month, the Interest Reset
Date will be the immediately preceding Business Day.

      Floating Rate Notes: When Interest Rate Is Determined

      The Interest Determination Date for all notes (except Treasury rate notes)
is the second  Business  Day  before the  Interest  Reset  Date  (second  London
Business Day before the Interest Reset Date for LIBOR notes).

      The Interest Determination Date for Treasury rate notes will be the day of
the week in which the Interest  Reset Date falls on which  Treasury  bills would
normally be auctioned.  Treasury  bills are usually sold at auction on Monday of
each week,  unless  that day is a legal  holiday,  in which case the  auction is
usually  held on Tuesday.  However,  the  auction  may be held on the  preceding
Friday.  If an auction  is held on the  preceding  Friday,  that day will be the
Interest  Determination  Date pertaining to the Interest Reset Date occurring in
the next week.  If an auction  date  falls on any  Interest  Reset Date then the
Interest Reset Date will instead be the first Business Day immediately following
the auction date.

      Floating Rate Notes:  When Interest Is Paid

      Interest is paid as follows:

      - for notes which reset daily, weekly or monthly, on the third Wednesday
      of

     each month or on the third Wednesday of March, June, September and
      December (as indicated in the applicable pricing supplement);

      - for notes which reset quarterly, on the third Wednesday of March, June,
      September, and December;

      - for notes which reset semi-annually, on the third Wednesday of the two
      months specified in the applicable pricing supplement;

      - for notes which reset annually, on the third Wednesday of the month
      specified in the applicable pricing supplement; and

      - at maturity or redemption .

      If interest is payable on a day which is not a Business Day,  payment will
be postponed to the next Business Day and no additional  interest  shall be due.
However,  for LIBOR  notes,  if the next  Business  Day is in the next  calendar
month, interest will be paid on the preceding Business Day.

      Unless an applicable pricing supplement states otherwise,  the record date
will be 15 calendar days prior to each day interest is paid, whether or not such
day is a Business Day.

      The  interest  payable  will be the  amount of  interest  accrued  to, but
excluding,  the interest payment date. However,  for notes on which the interest
resets daily or weekly,  the interest  payable will include  interest accrued to
and  including  the  record  date prior to the  interest  payment  date.  If the
interest  payment date is also a day that principal is due, the interest payable
will  include  interest  accrued  to, but  excluding,  the date of  maturity  or
redemption.

      The accrued  interest  for any period is  calculated  by  multiplying  the
principal amount of a note by an accrued  interest factor.  The accrued interest
factor is computed by adding the interest factor  calculated for each day in the
period to the date for which accrued interest is being calculated.  The interest
factor  (expressed  as a decimal  rounded  upwards if  necessary) is computed by
dividing the interest rate (expressed as a decimal rounded upwards if necessary)
applicable to such date by 360, unless the applicable  pricing supplement states
otherwise, or the notes are Treasury rate notes or CMT rate notes, in which case
it will be divided by the actual number of days in the year.

      All percentages resulting from any calculation of floating rate notes will
be rounded, if necessary,  to the nearest one-hundred thousandth of a percentage
point,  with five  one-millionths  of a percentage  point rounded upwards (e.g.,
9.876545% (or  .09876545)  being rounded to 9.87655% (or .0987655) and 9.876544%
(or .09876544) being rounded to 9.87654% (or .0987654)),  and all dollar amounts
used in or resulting from such  calculation  will be rounded to the nearest cent
(with one-half cent being rounded upwards).

      Floating Rate Notes:  Interest Rate Formulas

      Commercial  Paper Rate Notes.  Each  commercial  paper rate note will bear
interest at the rate (calculated with reference to the Commercial Paper Rate and
the Spread and/or Spread  Multiplier,  if any) specified on the commercial paper
rate note and in the applicable pricing supplement.

      "Commercial  Paper Rate" means,  with respect to any Commercial Paper Rate
Interest  Determination  Date,  the Money Market Yield  (calculated as described
below) of the rate on such date for commercial paper having the


Index Maturity  specified in the applicable  pricing  supplement as published in
Federal Reserve Statistical Release H.15(519) under the heading "Commercial
Paper--Nonfinancial."

      The following procedures will occur if the rate cannot be set as described
above:

           (a) If that rate is not published in H.15 (519) prior to 3:00 P.M. on
     the  Calculation  Date,  then the  Commercial  Paper Rate will be the Money
     Market  Yield  of  the  rate  on  the   Commercial   Paper  Rate   Interest
     Determination Date for commercial paper having the Index Maturity specified
     in the applicable pricing  supplement as published in Composite  Quotations
     under the heading "Commercial Paper."

           (b) If the rate is not published in either H.15 (519) or in Composite
     Quotations by 3:00 P.M. on the Calculation  Date, the Commercial Paper Rate
     for that  Commercial  Paper Rate Interest  Determination  Date will then be
     calculated by the Calculation Agent in the following manner.

           The  Commercial  Paper Rate will be  calculated  as the Money  Market
     Yield of the average for the offered rates,  as of 11:00 A.M. on that date,
     of three  leading  dealers of  commercial  paper in New York  selected  for
     commercial  paper  having  the  applicable  Index  Maturity  placed  for an
     industrial  issuer  whose bond  rating is "Aa," or the  equivalent,  from a
     nationally recognized rating agency.

           (c) Finally,  if fewer than three  dealers are quoting as  mentioned,
     the rate of interest in effect for the  applicable  period will be the same
     as the rate of interest in effect for the prior interest reset period.

      Prime Rate  Notes.  Each prime  rate note will bear  interest  at the rate
(calculated  with  reference  to the Prime  Rate and the  Spread  and/or  Spread
Multiplier,  if any)  specified  on the prime  rate  note and in the  applicable
pricing supplement.

      "Prime Rate" means, with respect to any Prime Rate Interest  Determination
Date, the rate set forth on such date in H.15(519) under the heading "Bank Prime
Loan."

      The following procedures will occur if the rate cannot be set as described
above:

           (a) If that rate is not published in H.15(519)  prior to 3:00 P.M. on
     the Calculation  Date, then the Prime Rate will be the average of the rates
     of  interest  publicly  announced  by each bank that  appear on the Reuters
     Screen  USPRIME1  Page as its prime rate or base  lending rate as in effect
     for that Prime Rate Interest Determination Date.

           (b) If fewer than four rates  appear on the Reuters  Screen  USPRIME1
     Page, the Prime Rate will be the average of the prime rates or base lending
     rates quoted on the basis of the actual  number of days in the year divided
     by a 360-day  year as of the close of business  on the Prime Rate  Interest
     Determination Date by four major money center banks in New York selected by
     the Calculation Agent.

           (c) If fewer than four banks are quoting as mentioned, the Prime Rate
     shall be determined on the basis of the rates  furnished in New York by the
     major money center banks, if any, that have provided such  quotations,  and
     by an appropriate number of substitute



     banks or trust companies organized and doing business under the laws of the
     United  States,  or any State  thereof,  having total equity  capital of at
     least $500 million and being subject to  supervision  or  examination  by a
     Federal or State authority, as selected by the Calculation Agent.

         (d) Finally,  if the banks are not quoting as mentioned above, the rate
     of  interest  in effect for the  applicable  period will be the same as the
     rate of interest in effect for the prior interest reset period.

      CD  Rate  Notes.  Each  CD  rate  note  will  bear  interest  at the  rate
(calculated  with  reference  to  the CD  Rate  and  the  Spread  and/or  Spread
Multiplier,  if any) specified on the CD rate note and in the applicable pricing
supplement.

      "CD Rate" means, with respect to any CD Rate Interest  Determination Date,
the rate on that date for negotiable U.S. dollar  certificates of deposit having
the Index Maturity  specified in the applicable  pricing supplement as published
in H.15(519) under the heading "CDs (Secondary Market)."

      The following procedures will occur if the rate cannot be set as described
above:

           (a) If that rate is not published in H.15(519)  prior to 3:00 P.M. on
     the  Calculation  Date,  then the CD Rate  will be the rate on that CD Rate
     Interest  Determination  Date for negotiable  U.S.  Dollar  certificates of
     deposit  having the  applicable  Index  Maturity as  published in Composite
     Quotations under the heading "Certificates of Deposit."

           (b) If  that  rate  is not  published  in  either  H.15  (519)  or in
     Composite Quotations by 3:00 P.M. on that Calculation Date, the CD Rate for
     that CD  Rate  Interest  Determination  Date  shall  be  calculated  by the
     Calculation Agent as follows:

           The CD Rate will be calculated as the average of the secondary market
     offered  rates,  as of 10:00  A.M.,  of three  leading  nonbank  dealers of
     negotiable U.S. dollar  certificates of deposit in New York selected by the
     Calculation  Agent for negotiable  U.S.  dollar  certificates of deposit of
     major United States money market banks with a remaining maturity closest to
     the Index  Maturity  specified in the  applicable  pricing  supplement in a
     representative amount.

           (c) Finally,  if fewer than three  dealers are quoting as  mentioned,
     the rate of interest in effect for the  applicable  period will be the same
     as the rate of interest in effect for the prior interest reset period.

      Federal Funds Rate Notes.  Each federal funds rate note will bear interest
at the rate  (calculated with reference to the Federal Funds Rate and the Spread
and/or Spread  Multiplier,  if any) specified on the federal funds rate note and
in the applicable pricing supplement.

      "Federal  Funds  Rate"  means,  with  respect  to any  Federal  Funds Rate
Interest Determination Date, the rate on such date for U.S. dollar federal funds
as published in H.15(519) under the heading "Federal Funds (Effective)."

      The following procedures will occur if the rate cannot be set as described
above:

           (a) If that rate is not published in H.15(519)  prior to 3:00 P.M. on
     the Calculation Date, then the Federal Funds Rate will be the rate on that


     Federal Funds Rate Interest Determination Date as published in Composite
     Quotations under the heading "Federal Funds/Effective Rate."

           (b) If  that  rate  is not  published  in  either  H.15  (519)  or in
     Composite  Quotations  by 3:00 P.M. on the  Calculation  Date,  the Federal
     Funds Rate for that Federal Funds Rate Interest  Determination Date will be
     calculated by the Calculation Agent as follows:

           The Federal  Funds Rate will be the average of the rates,  as of 9:00
     A.M. on that date,  for the last  transaction  in overnight  federal  funds
     arranged by three leading brokers of federal funds transactions in New York
     selected by the Calculation Agent.

           (c)  Finally,  if fewer than three  brokers are quoting as  mentioned
     above, the rate of interest in effect for the applicable period will be the
     same as the rate of interest in effect for the prior interest reset period.

      LIBOR Notes.  Each LIBOR note will bear  interest at the rate  (calculated
with  reference  to LIBOR  and the  Spread  and/or  Spread  Multiplier,  if any)
specified on the LIBOR note and in the applicable pricing supplement.

      "LIBOR" means the London interbank offered rate for deposits in U.S.
dollars and  will be determined by the Calculation Agent as follows:

           (a) With respect to any LIBOR Interest Determination Date, LIBOR will
     be determined by either:

               (1) the average of the offered rates for deposits in U.S. dollars
        having  the  Index  Maturity   specified  in  the   applicable   pricing
        supplement,  beginning on the second Business Day immediately after that
        date,  that  appear on the  Reuters  Screen  LIBO Page as of 11:00 A.M.,
        London time,  on that date,  if at least two offered rates appear on the
        Reuters Screen LIBO Page; or

              (2) the  rate  for  deposits  in U.S.  dollars  having  the  Index
        Maturity designated in the applicable pricing  supplement,  beginning on
        the second London Business Day immediately after such date, that appears
        on the Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 A.M., London time, on that date.

           If  neither  Reuters  Screen  LIBO  Page nor  Telerate  Page  3750 is
     specified in the applicable pricing supplement, LIBOR will be determined as
     if Telerate Page 3750 had been specified.

           In the case where (1) above applies,  if fewer than two offered rates
     appear on the  Reuters  Screen  LIBO Page,  or, in the case where (2) above
     applies,  if no rate appears on the Telerate Page 3750, LIBOR for that date
     will be determined as follows:

            (b) LIBOR  will be  determined  based on the rates at  approximately
     11:00 A.M., London time, on that LIBOR Interest Determination Date at which
     deposits in U.S.  dollars having the applicable  Index Maturity are offered
     to prime  banks in the London  interbank  market by four major banks in the
     London  interbank  market  selected  by the  Calculation  Agent that in the
     Calculation  Agent's judgment is representative for a single transaction in
     such market at such time (a "Representative Amount"). The offered


     rates must begin on the second  Business Day  immediately  after that LIBOR
     Interest Determination Date.

           The  Calculation  Agent will request the  principal  London office of
     each such bank to  provide a  quotation  of its rate.  If at least two such
     quotations  are  provided,  LIBOR for such date will be the average of such
     quotations.

           (c) If fewer than two  quotations  are provided,  LIBOR for that date
     will be the average of the rates quoted at approximately 11:00 A.M. on such
     date by three major banks in New York,  selected by the Calculation  Agent.
     The rates  will be for loans in U.S.  dollars  to  leading  European  banks
     having the specified  Index Maturity  beginning on the second  Business Day
     after that date and in a Representative Amount.

           (d) Finally, if fewer than three banks are quoting as mentioned,  the
     rate of  interest in effect for the  applicable  period will be the same as
     the rate of interest in effect for the prior interest reset period.

      Treasury  Rate Notes.  Each  Treasury  rate note will bear interest at the
rate  (calculated  with  reference  to the Treasury  Rate and the Spread  and/or
Spread  Multiplier,  if any)  specified  on the  Treasury  rate  note and in the
applicable pricing supplement.

      "Treasury  Rate"  means,  with  respect  to  any  Treasury  Rate  Interest
Determination  Date, the rate for the most recent auction of direct  obligations
of the United States ("Treasury  Bills") having the Index Maturity  specified in
the applicable  pricing  supplement as published in H.15(519)  under the heading
"U.S. Government Securities/Treasury Bills/Auction Average (Investment)."

      The following procedures will occur if the rate cannot be set as described
above:

           (a) If that rate is not  published  in  H.15(519) by 3:00 P.M. on the
     applicable  Calculation  Date,  the rate will be the auction  average  rate
     (expressed as a bond equivalent, on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days,
     as applicable,  and applied on a daily basis) for such auction as otherwise
     announced by the United States Department of the Treasury.

           (b) If the  results  of the  auction  of  Treasury  Bills  having the
     applicable  Index  Maturity are not published in H.15(519) by 3:00 P.M., or
     otherwise  published  or  reported  as  provided  above by 3:00 P.M. on the
     Calculation  Date, or if no auction is held in a particular  week, then the
     Treasury Rate shall be calculated by the Calculation Agent as follows:

           The rate will be  calculated  as a yield to maturity  (expressed as a
     bond equivalent,  on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable,
     and applied on a daily  basis) of the average of the  secondary  market bid
     rates  as  of  approximately  3:30  P.M.  on  the  Treasury  Rate  Interest
     Determination  Date, of three  leading  primary  United  States  government
     securities  dealers in New York selected by the  Calculation  Agent for the
     issue of Treasury Bills with a remaining  maturity closest to the specified
     Index Maturity.

           (c) Finally,  if fewer than three  dealers are quoting as  mentioned,
     the rate of  interest in effect for the period will be the same as the rate
     of interest in effect for the prior interest reset period.


      CMT  Rate  Notes.  Each CMT  rate  note  will  bear  interest  at the rate
(calculated with reference to the CMT Rate and the Spread or Spread  Multiplier,
if  any)  specified  on  such  CMT  rate  note  and  in the  applicable  pricing
supplement.

      "CMT Rate"  means,  with  respect to any CMT Rate  Interest  Determination
Date,  the rate  displayed on the Designated CMT Telerate Page under the caption
"...  Treasury  Constant  Maturities..  Federal  Reserve Board  Release  H.15...
Mondays  Approximately  3:45 P.M.,"  under the column for the  applicable  Index
Maturity designated in the applicable pricing supplement for:

      (1) if the  Designated  CMT  Telerate  Page  is  7055,  the  rate  for the
applicable CMT Rate Interest Determination Date; or

      (2) if the  Designated  CMT Telerate Page is 7052, the week, or the month,
as  applicable,  ended  immediately  preceding  the week in  which  the CMT Rate
Interest Determination Date occurs.

      The following procedures will occur if the rate cannot be set as described
above:

           (a) If no page is specified in the applicable  pricing supplement and
     on the face of such CMT Rate note,  the  Designated CMT Telerate Page shall
     be 7052 for the most recent  week.  If such rate is no longer  displayed on
     the relevant  page,  or if it is not  displayed by 3:00 P.M. on the related
     Calculation  Date, then the CMT Rate will be the Treasury constant maturity
     rate for the  applicable  Index  Maturity as published in the relevant H.15
     (519).

           (b) If that  rate is no  longer  published  in  H.15(519),  or is not
     published by 3:00 P.M. on the related  Calculation  Date, then the CMT Rate
     for such CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will be the Treasury constant
     maturity  rate for the  applicable  Index  Maturity (or other United States
     Treasury  rate  for  such  Index   Maturity  for  that  CMT  Rate  Interest
     Determination Date with respect to such Interest Reset Date) as may then be
     published  by  either  the  Federal  Reserve  Board  or the  United  States
     Department  of the Treasury  that the  Calculation  Agent  determines to be
     comparable to the rate formerly  displayed on the  Designated  CMT Telerate
     Page and published in the relevant H.15(519).

           (c) If that  information  is not provided by 3:00 P.M. on the related
     Calculation   Date,   then  the  CMT  Rate  for  that  CMT  Rate   Interest
     Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent as follows:

           The rate  will be  calculated  as a yield to  maturity,  based on the
     average  of  the  secondary   market   closing  offer  side  prices  as  of
     approximately  3:30  P.M.  on that CMT  Rate  Interest  Determination  Date
     reported,  according to their written  records,  by three  leading  primary
     United States government securities dealers (each, a "Reference Dealer") in
     New York selected by the Calculation  Agent. These dealers will be selected
     from five such Reference Dealers.

           The  Calculation  Agent will eliminate the highest  quotation (or, in
     the event of equality, one of the highest) and the lowest quotation (or, in
     the event of equality,  one of the lowest),  for the most  recently  issued
     direct noncallable fixed rate obligations of the

     United States ("Treasury Notes") with an original maturity of approximately
     the applicable  Index Maturity and a remaining term to maturity of not less
     than such Index Maturity minus one year.

           If two Treasury  Notes with an original  maturity as described in the
     preceding  sentence have remaining  terms to maturity  equally close to the
     applicable  Index  Maturity,  the  quotes  for the  Treasury  Note with the
     shorter remaining term to maturity will be used.

           (d) If the  Calculation  Agent cannot obtain three such Treasury Note
     quotations, the CMT Rate for that CMT Rate Interest Determination Date will
     be calculated by the Calculation Agent as follows:

           The  rate  will be  calculated  as a yield to  maturity  based on the
     average of the secondary market offer side prices as of approximately  3:30
     P.M.  on that  CMT Rate  Interest  Determination  Date of  three  Reference
     Dealers in New York selected by the Calculation Agent using the same method
     described above, for Treasury Notes with an original maturity of the number
     of years that is the next highest to the  applicable  Index Maturity with a
     remaining term to maturity  closest to such Index Maturity and in an amount
     of at least $100 million.

           If three or four (and not five) of the Reference  Dealers are quoting
     as described  above,  then the CMT Rate will be based on the average of the
     offer prices obtained and neither the highest nor the lowest of such quotes
     will be eliminated.

           (e)  Finally,  if fewer than three  Reference  Dealers are quoting as
     mentioned, the rate of interest in effect for the applicable period will be
     the same as the rate of  interest  in effect for the prior  interest  reset
     period.

Events of Default

      "Event of Default" means any of the following:

          - failure to pay for three Business Days the principal of (or premium,
            if any, on) any note of a series when due and payable;

          - failure to pay for 30 days any interest on any note of any series
            when due and payable;

          - failure to perform any other  requirements  in such notes, or in the
            Indenture in regard to such notes, for 90 days after notice;

          - certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency; or

          - any other event of default specified in a series of notes.

      An Event of Default for a particular  series of notes does not necessarily
mean that an Event of Default has  occurred for any other series of notes issued
under the Indenture. If an Event of Default occurs and continues, the Trustee or
the holders of at least 33% of the  principal  amount of the notes of the series
affected  may  require  us to repay the  entire  principal  of the notes of such
series immediately ("Repayment Acceleration"). In most instances, the holders of
at least a majority in aggregate  principal  amount of the notes of the affected
series may rescind a previously triggered Repayment Acceleration. However, if we
cause an Event of Default because we have failed to pay (unaccelerated)


 principal,  premium,  if  any,  or  interest,  Repayment  Acceleration  may  be
rescinded only if we have first cured our default by depositing with the Trustee
enough money to pay all (unaccelerated) past due amounts and penalties, if any.

      The Trustee must within 90 days after a default occurs, notify the holders
of the notes of the  series of default  unless  such  default  has been cured or
waived. We are required to file an annual  certificate with the Trustee,  signed
by an  officer,  concerning  any  default  by us  under  any  provisions  of the
Indenture.

      Subject to the provisions of the Indenture  relating to its duties in case
of default,  the Trustee  shall be under no  obligation  to exercise  any of its
rights or powers under the  Indenture at the request,  order or direction of any
holders unless such holders offer the Trustee reasonable  indemnity.  Subject to
the  provisions  for  indemnification,  the holders of a majority  in  principal
amount of the notes of any  series  may  direct  the time,  method  and place of
conducting any proceedings for any remedy  available to, or exercising any trust
or power conferred on, the Trustee with respect to such notes.

Modification of Indenture

      Under the  Indenture,  our  rights and  obligations  and the rights of the
holders  of any notes may be  changed.  Any change  affecting  the rights of the
holders of any series of notes  requires  the consent of the holders of not less
than a majority in aggregate  principal  amount of the outstanding  notes of all
series affected by the change,  voting as one class.  However,  we cannot change
the terms of payment of principal or interest,  or a reduction in the percentage
required for changes or a waiver of default,  unless the holder consents. We may
issue additional  series of notes and take other action that does not affect the
rights of holders of any series by executing supplemental indentures without the
consent of any noteholders.

Consolidation, Merger or Sale

      We may merge or consolidate with any corporation or sell substantially all
of our assets as an entirety as long as the  successor  or  purchaser  expressly
assumes the payment of  principal,  and  premium,  if any,  and  interest on the
notes.

Legal Defeasance

      We will be discharged  from our  obligations on the notes of any series at
any time if:

      - we deposit with the Trustee sufficient cash or government  securities to
      pay the  principal,  interest,  any  premium and any other sums due to the
      stated maturity date or a redemption date of the note of the series, and

      - we deliver to the Trustee an opinion of counsel stating that the federal
      income tax  obligations of noteholders of that series will not change as a
      result of our performing the action described above.

      If this happens, the noteholders of the series will not be entitled to the
benefits of the Indenture  except for  registration  of transfer and exchange of
notes and replacement of lost, stolen or mutilated notes.

Covenant Defeasance

      We will be discharged from our obligations under any restrictive  covenant
applicable  to the notes of a  particular  series  if we  perform  both  actions
described above.


See Legal Defeasance. If this happens, any later breach of
that particular restrictive covenant will not result in Repayment  Acceleration.
If we cause an Event of Default apart from breaching that restrictive  covenant,
there may not be sufficient money or government  obligations on deposit with the
Trustee to pay all amounts due on the notes of that series. In that instance, we
would remain liable for such amounts.

Governing Law

      The  Indenture and notes of all series will be governed by the laws of the
State of New York.

Concerning the Trustee

      We and our affiliates use or will use some of the banking  services of the
Trustee in the normal course of business.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

      We may sell the notes (a)  through  agents;  (b) through  underwriters  or
dealers; or (c) directly to one or more purchasers.

By Agents

      Notes may be sold on a continuing  basis through agents  designated by us.
The agents will agree to use their reasonable  efforts to solicit  purchases for
the period of their appointment.

      Unless the pricing supplement states otherwise,  the notes will be sold to
the public at 100% of their principal  amount.  Agents will receive  commissions
from .125% to .750% of the principal  amount per note  depending on the maturity
of the note they sell.

      The Agents will not be obligated to make a market in the notes.  We cannot
predict the amount of trading or liquidity of the notes.

By Underwriters

      If underwriters  are used in the sale, the  underwriters  will acquire the
notes for their own  account.  The  underwriters  may resell the notes in one or
more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering
price or at varying prices  determined at the time of sale.  The  obligations of
the  underwriters  to purchase the notes will be subject to certain  conditions.
The  underwriters  will be  obligated  to  purchase  all the notes of the series
offered if any of the notes are purchased. Any initial public offering price and
any  discounts or  concessions  allowed or  re-allowed or paid to dealers may be
changed from time to time.

Direct Sales

      We may also sell notes  directly.  In this case, no underwriters or agents
would be involved.

General Information

      Underwriters,  dealers, and agents that participate in the distribution of
the notes may be  underwriters  as  defined in the  Securities  Act of 1933 (the
"Act"), and any discounts or commissions received by them from us and any profit
on the resale of the notes by them may be treated as underwriting  discounts and
commissions under the Act.

      We may have  agreements  with the  underwriters,  dealers  and  agents  to
indemnify them against certain civil  liabilities,  including  liabilities under
the Act.

      Underwriters,  dealers  and  agents may engage in  transactions  with,  or
perform  services  for, us or our  affiliates  in the  ordinary  course of their
businesses.


                                 LEGAL OPINIONS

      Our  counsel,  Simpson  Thacher & Bartlett,  New York,  NY, and one of our
lawyers will each issue an opinion about the legality of the notes for us. Dewey
Ballantine  LLP,  New  York,  NY  will  issue  an  opinion  for  the  agents  or
underwriters.  From time to time,  Dewey  Ballantine  LLP acts as counsel to our
affiliates for some matters.

                                     EXPERTS

      The financial  statements  and the related  financial  statement  schedule
incorporated in this prospectus by reference from the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent  auditors,  as
stated in their reports,  which are incorporated  herein by reference,  and have
been so  incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.


                                    GLOSSARY

      Set  forth  below  are  definitions  of  some  of the  terms  used in this
Prospectus.

      "Business  Day" means any day other than a Saturday  or Sunday that (a) is
not a day on which banking institutions in New York, New York, are authorized or
obligated by law or executive order to be closed,  and (b) with respect to LIBOR
Notes  only,  is a day on  which  dealings  in  deposits  in  U.S.  dollars  are
transacted in the London interbank market.

      "Calculation  Agent"  means the  entity we choose to  perform  the  duties
related to interest rate  calculation  and resets for floating  rate notes.  The
applicable pricing supplement will identify the Calculation Agent.

      "Calculation   Date"  means  the  date  on  which  the  Calculation  Agent
calculates an interest  rate for a floating rate note,  which will be one of the
following:

    "Prime Rate" - tenth day after the related Prime Rate Interest Determination
    Date or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next Business Day.

    "CD Rate" - tenth day after the related CD Rate Interest  Determination Date
    or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next Business Day.

    "CMT Rate" - tenth day after the  related  CMT Rate  Interest  Determination
    Date or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next Business Day.

    "Commercial Paper Rate" - tenth day after the related  Commercial Paper Rate
    Interest  Determination Date or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next
    Business Day.

     "LIBOR" - the LIBOR Interest Determination Date.

     "Treasury  Rate" - tenth day  after  the  related  Treasury  Rate  Interest
     Determination Date or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next Day.

     "Federal  Funds  Rate" - tenth day after the  related  Federal  Funds  Rate
     Interest Determination Date or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next
     Business Day.

      "Composite  Quotations"  means  the  successor  publication  to the  daily
statistical release entitled "Composite 3:30 P.M. Quotations for U.S.
Government Securities,"

published by The Federal Reserve Bank of New York.

      "Designated CMT Telerate Page" means the display on the Dow Jones Telerate
Service on the page designated in the applicable  pricing  supplement and on the
face of such CMT Rate note (or any other page as may  replace  such page on that
service) for the purpose of displaying  Treasury Constant Maturities as reported
in H.15(519).

      "H.15 (519)" means the weekly  statistical  release entitled  "Statistical
Release H.15 (519),  Selected  Interest  Rates," or any  successor  publication,
published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

      "Index Maturity"  means,  with respect to a floating rate note, the period
to  maturity  of the note on which  the  interest  rate  formula  is  based,  as
indicated in the applicable pricing supplement.

      "Interest Determination Date" means the date as of which the interest rate
for a  floating  rate  note  is to be  calculated,  to be  effective  as of  the
following  Interest  Reset Date and calculated on the related  Calculation  Date
(except in the case of LIBOR which is calculated  on the related LIBOR  Interest
Determination  Date). The Interest  Determination Dates will be indicated in the
applicable pricing supplement and in the note.

      "Interest  Reset Date"  means the date on which a floating  rate note will
begin to bear interest at the variable  interest rate determined on any Interest
Determination Date. The Interest Reset Dates will be indicated in the applicable
pricing supplement and in the note.

      "Money  Market  Yield" is the yield  (expressed  as a  percentage  rounded
upwards, if necessary, to the next higher one-hundred thousandth of a percentage
point) calculated in accordance with the following formula:

                   Money Market Yield =    D X 360        X 100
                                        360 - (D X M)

where "D" refers to the per annum  rate for  commercial  paper  quoted on a bank
discount  basis and expressed as a decimal;  and "M" refers to the actual number
of days in the period for which interest is being calculated.

      "Reuters Screen LIBO Page" means the display  designated as page "LIBO" on
the Reuters  Monitor  Money Rates Service (or such other page as may replace the
LIBO page on that service for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered
rates of major banks).

      "Reuters  Screen  USPRIME1  Page"  means the  display  designated  as page
USPRIME1 on the Reuters  Monitor  Money Rates Service (or such other page as may
replace the USPRIME1  page on that service for the purpose of  displaying  prime
rates or base lending rates of major U.S. banks).

      "Spread"  means the number of basis  points  specified  in the  applicable
pricing  supplement as being applicable to the interest rate for a floating rate
note.

      "Spread  Multiplier"  means the  percentage  specified  in the  applicable
pricing  supplement as being applicable to the interest rate for a floating rate
note.

      "Telerate  Page 3750" means the display  designated  as page "3750" on the
Dow Jones  Telerate  Service (or such other page as may replace the 3750 page on
that  service  or such other  service or  services  as may be  nominated  by the
British  Bankers  Association  for the purpose of  displaying  London  interbank
offered rates of major banks for U.S. dollar deposits). 

               Table of Contents

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE
    INFORMATION ................... 2
THE COMPANY........................ 2
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENTS............. 2
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO
   FIXED CHARGES................... 3
USE OF PROCEEDS ................... 3
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES .......... 3
   General  ....................... 3
   Redemptions .................... 4
      Remarketed Notes............. 4
   Book-Entry Notes - Registration,
        Transfer, and  Payment of
        Interest and  Principal ... 4        $150,000,000  UNSECURED NOTES
   Note Certificates- Registration,
        Transfer, and  Payment of
        Interest and Principal .... 6
   Interest Rate .................. 6
      General ..................... 6
      Fixed Rate Notes ............ 6                PROSPECTUS
      Floating Rate Notes: General. 6
      Floating Rate Notes: Date
         of Interest Rate Change... 7
      Floating Rate Notes: When                   The date of this
         Interest Rate Is                  prospectus is ___________, 1999
         Determined................ 7
      Floating Rate Notes: When
         Interest Is Paid.......... 7
         Floating Rate Notes:
         Interest Rate Formulas.... 8
     Events of Default.............14
     Modification of Indenture.....15
     Consolidation, Merger or Sale.15
     Legal Defeasance..............15
     Covenant Defeasance...........15
     Governing Law.................16
     Concerning the Trustee........16
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION...............16
     By Agents.....................16
     By Underwriters...............16
     Direct Sales..................16
     General Information...........16
LEGAL OPINIONS.....................17
EXPERTS............................17
GLOSSARY...........................17




                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS


Item 14.    Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.*

Securities and Exchange Commission Filing Fees...................     $   7,784
Printing Registration Statement, Prospectus, etc.................     $  30,000
Independent Auditors' Fees........................................... $  30,000
Charges of Trustee (including counsel fees)......................     $  10,000
Legal Fees of Counsel.................................................$.100,000
Rating Agency Fees....................................................$..95,250
Miscellaneous Expenses................................................$..25,000
                                                                     ----------

            Total................................................     $ 298,034
                                                                     ==========

*Estimated, except for filing fees.


Item 15.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

      Section  271B.8-510  of the  Kentucky  Revised  Statutes  provides  that a
Kentucky  corporation  may indemnify an individual  made a party to a proceeding
because the individual is or was a director if (i) the individual's  conduct was
in good faith,  (ii) the  individual  reasonably  believed  that, in the case of
conduct in the individual's  official capacity with the corporation,  his or her
conduct was in the best  interests of the  corporation  and, in all other cases,
his or her  conduct  was at  least  not  opposed  to the best  interests  of the
corporation and (iii) in the case of a criminal proceeding,  that the individual
had no  reasonable  cause  to  believe  that  such  conduct  was  unlawful.  The
termination of a proceeding by judgment, order, settlement,  conviction, or upon
a plea of nolo  contendere or its  equivalent  is not, of itself,  determinative
that a  director  did  not  meet  the  required  standard  of  conduct.  Section
271B.8-520   requires  a   corporation,   unless  limited  by  its  articles  of
incorporation,  to  indemnify a director who has been wholly  successful  in the
defense of a proceeding against reasonable  expenses (including counsel fees) so
incurred.  Section  271B.8-530  authorizes a corporation to pay for or reimburse
the  reasonable  expenses  (including  counsel  fees)  incurred by a director in
advance of final disposition of a proceeding upon a determination  that in light
of the facts then known indemnification is permissible, a written affirmation by
the  director  of his or her good faith  belief  that the  required  standard of
conduct  has been  met and an  undertaking  by the  director  to repay  any such
advance  if it is  ultimately  determined  that  the  director  did not meet the
required  standard of conduct.  Unless  limited by a  corporation's  articles of
incorporation,  a  director  may,  pursuant  to  Section  271B.8-540,  apply for
indemnification to a court of competent jurisdiction.  An officer is entitled to
mandatory   indemnification   under   Section   271B.8-520   and  to  apply  for
court-ordered  indemnification  under Section 271B.8-540 to the same extent as a
director.  A  corporation  may  indemnify  and  advance  expenses to an officer,
employee  or  agent to the same  extent  as to a  director.  A  corporation  may
purchase and maintain  insurance on behalf of an  individual  who is a director,
officer,  employee or agent,  whether or not the corporation would have power by
statute  to  indemnify  the  individual  against  the  same  liability.  Section
271B.8-580 provides


that the  statutory  provisions  do not  exclude  any other
rights to indemnification  and advances for expenses that a person may otherwise
have. The by-laws of the Company  provide for the  indemnification  of directors
and officers of the Company to the full extent permitted by law.

      Reference  is  made  to the  Selling  Agency  Agreement  and  Underwriting
Agreement,   filed  as  Exhibits  1(a)  and  1(b)  hereto,   which  provide  for
indemnification,  under certain  circumstances,  of the Company,  certain of its
directors and officers, and persons who control the Company.

      The Company  maintains  insurance  policies  insuring  its  directors  and
officers against certain obligations that may be incurred by them.


Item 16.  Exhibits.

      Reference is made to the information  contained in the Exhibit Index filed
as a part of this Registration Statement.

Item 17.  Undertakings.

      The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

      (1) To file,  during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

            (i) To include any  prospectus required  by section  10(a)(3) of the
      Securities Act of 1933;

            (ii) To reflect in the  prospectus any facts or events arising after
      the  effective  date of the  registration  statement  (or the most  recent
      post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
      represent  a  fundamental  change  in the  information  set  forth  in the
      registration  statement.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  any increase or
      decrease in volume of Notes (if the total  dollar value of Notes would not
      exceed that which was  registered)  and any deviation from the low or high
      end of the estimated  maximum  offering range may be reflected in the form
      of  prospectus  filed with the  Commission  pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the
      Securities  Act of 1933 if, in the  aggregate,  the  changes in volume and
      price  represent  no  more  than a 20%  change  in the  maximum  aggregate
      offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in
      the effective registration statement;

            (iii) To include any material  information  with respect to the plan
      of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration  statement or
      any material change to such information in the registration statement;

      Provided,  however,  that  (i) and (ii) do not  apply if the  registration
statement  is on  Form  S-3 or Form  S-8,  and the  information  required  to be
included in a  post-effective  amendment  by those  paragraphs  is  contained in
periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant


pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934
that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

      (2)  That,  for  the  purpose  of  determining  any  liability  under  the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such  securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

      (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.

      (4) That, for purposes of determining  any liability  under the Securities
Act of 1933, each filing of the  registrant's  annual report pursuant to section
13(a)  or  section  15(d)  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934  that  is
incorporated by reference in the registration  statement shall be deemed to be a
new  registration  statement  relating to the Notes, and the offering thereof at
that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

      (5)  Insofar  as  indemnification   for  liabilities   arising  under  the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors,  officers and  controlling
persons of the registrant  pursuant to the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky,
the registrant's  By-laws or otherwise,  the registrant has been advised that in
the  opinion  of the SEC  such  indemnification  is  against  public  policy  as
expressed  in said Act and is,  therefore,  unenforceable.  In the event  that a
claim for  indemnification  against such liabilities  (other than the payment by
the  registrant  of  expenses  incurred  or  paid  by  a  director,  officer  or
controlling  person of the registrant in the  successful  defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director,  officer or controlling person
in connection with the notes, the registrant will,  unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,  submit to a court
of appropriate  jurisdiction the question whether such  indemnification by it is
against public policy as expressed in said Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.

      (6) For purposes of determining  any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, the information  omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
registration  statement  in reliance  upon Rule 430A and  contained in a form of
prospectus  filed by the registrant  pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h)
under  the  Securities  Act  shall  be  deemed  to be part of this  registration
statement as of the time it was declared effective.

      (7) For purposes of determining  any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each post-effective  amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be
deemed to be a new  registration  statement  relating to the securities  offered
therein,  and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 

                                   SIGNATURES

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies  that it has  reasonable  cause to  believe  that it meets  all of the
requirements  for  filing  on Form S-3 and has  duly  caused  this  registration
statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized,  in the City of Columbus and State of Ohio, on the 6th day of April,
1999.

                                    KENTUCKY POWER COMPANY

                                    E. Linn Draper, Jr.*
                                    Chairman of the Board and
                                    Chief Executive Officer

      Pursuant  to  the  requirements  of  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
registration  statement  has been signed below by the  following  persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.

              Signature                   Title                   Date

(i)     Principal Executive
          Officer                    Chairman of the
                                     Board and Chief
        E. Linn Draper, Jr.*        Executive Officer        April 6, 1999

(ii)    Principal Financial
          Officer:                   Vice President,
                                   Treasurer and Chief
          /s/  A. A. Pena           Financial Officer        April 6, 1999
        --------------------
        A.  A. Pena

(iii)   Principal Accounting
          Officer:
                                  Controller and Chief
         /s/  L. V. Assante       Accounting Officer         April 6, 1999
        --------------------
        L. V. Assante

(iv)      A Majority of the Directors:

        E. Linn Draper, Jr.*
        Henry W. Fayne*
        Wm. J. Lhota*
        James J. Markowsky*
        Armando A. Pena                                      April 6, 1999
        J. H. Vipperman*


*By /s/ Armando A. Pena
(Armando A. Pena, Attorney-in-Fact)





                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

   Certain of the following exhibits, designated with an asterisk (*), are filed
herewith.  The exhibits not so designated  have  heretofore  been filed with the
Commission and,  pursuant to 17 C.F.R.  Section 201.24 and Section 230.411,  are
incorporated  herein by  reference  to the  documents  indicated  following  the
descriptions of such exhibits.

Exhibit No.           Description
* 1(a)                Proposed Selling Agency Agreement for the unsecured notes.
* 1(b)                Proposed form of Underwriting  Agreement for the unsecured
                      notes.
* 4(a)                Indenture  between the  Company  and  Bankers  Trust
                      Company, as Trustee, dated as of September 1, 1997 for the
                      notes.
* 4(b)                Company  Order  and  Officers'  Certificate,   dated
                      September   24,  1997,   establishing   certain  terms  of
                      Unsecured Medium Term Notes, Series A.
* 4(c)                Instructions,  dated  September  26, 1997,  from the
                      Company to Bankers  Trust  Company,  establishing  certain
                      terms of the 6.91% Unsecured Medium Term Notes,  Series A,
                      due 2007.
* 4(d)                Instructions,  dated  November  4,  1998,  from  the
                      Company to Bankers  Trust  Company,  establishing  certain
                      terms of the 6.45% Unsecured Medium Term Notes,  Series A,
                      due 2008.
* 4(e)                Proposed form of Company  Order and Officers'  Certificate
                      establishing certain terms of the notes.
* 5                   Opinion of Simpson  Thacher & Bartlett as to the  legality
                      of the notes
 12                   Statement  re:  Computation  of Ratios  [Annual  Report on
                      Form 10-K of the  Company  for the period  ended  December
                      31, 1998, File No. 1-3570, Exhibit 12].
*23(a)                Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
 23(b)                Consent  of  Simpson  Thacher  &  Bartlett   (included  in
                      Exhibit 5).
*24                   Powers  of  Attorney  and  resolutions  of  the  Board  of
                      Directors of the Company.
*25                   Form T-1 re: Eligibility of Bankers Trust Company.