The following was issued by Boise Cascade Corp.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  December 15, 1998


         BOISE CASCADE ANNOUNCES COST REDUCTIONS, RESTRUCTURING

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                 Pretax Savings of $70 Million Expected


	BOISE, Idaho -- Boise Cascade Corp. (NYSE:BCC) announced today a 
companywide cost-reduction initiative and the restructuring of certain 
operations.  These efforts are expected to generate annualized pretax 
savings of approximately $70 million by the end of 1999 and will result 
in a pretax write-off of approximately $40 million, or 42 cents per 
share after tax, in the fourth quarter of 1998.  

	"In light of the ongoing global financial crisis and the weak 
business environment that I believe still lies ahead, we are taking 
steps to permanently reduce our cost of doing business," said George J. 
Harad, chairman of the board and chief executive officer.  "These steps 
also are a natural outgrowth of the several focusing and restructuring 
efforts the company has completed over the last three years."

	Specific actions include:

	--	Restructured work, streamlined processes, and consolidated 
functions will eliminate approximately 400 job positions, primarily in 
our manufacturing businesses and Boise headquarters.  Staff reductions 
will occur through early retirements, layoffs, and attrition.

	--	Our paper research and development facility in Portland, 
Oregon, with 55 employees, will be closed.  

	--	Boise Cascade Office Products (NYSE:BOP), our 81%-held 
subsidiary, announced today a pretax charge of $11 million related to a 
restructuring of certain of its European operations.

	--	Capital spending in our paper business will be about 35% 
less than depreciation in 1998 and will be maintained at comparable 
levels in 1999.  

	--	Selected portions of our timberlands associated with 
facilities slated for closure will be sold.  

	Separately, the company announced stock ownership guidelines for 
executive officers.  These guidelines encourage officers to acquire and 
hold company stock ranging from one times base salary for vice 
presidents to three times base salary for the chief executive officer.  
"Implementation of these guidelines will more closely align the 
interests of our management with those of our shareholders," Harad said.

	Boise Cascade Corp., headquartered in Boise, Idaho, is a major 
distributor of office products and building materials and an integrated 
manufacturer and distributor of paper and wood products.  The company 
also owns and manages over 2 million acres of timberland in the United 
States.

/MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew Drysdale, Boise Cascade, 208-384-7992, or home, 
208/344-2206; 
INVESTOR CONTACT: Vincent Hannity, Boise Cascade, 208-384-6390, or home, 
208/345-8141/

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