SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported) January 28, 1998

E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

Delaware 1-815 51-0014090
(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission (I.R.S Employer
of Incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)

1007 Market Street
Wilmington, Delaware 19898
(Address of principal executive offices)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (302) 774-1000

Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
---------------------------------

In connection with Debt and/or Equity Securities that may be offered
on a delayed or continuous basis under Registration Statements on Form S-3
(No. 33-53327, No. 33-61339 and No. 33-60069), we hereby file the following
press release.

Exhibit
Number Description of Exhibit
------- -------------------------------------------------

99 Copy of the Registrant's Earnings Press Release,
dated January 28, 1998.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
(Registrant)

/s/D. B. Smith
------------------------------------
D. B. Smith
Assistant Controller

January 28, 1998

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number Description of Exhibits
- ------- ------------------------------------------------------------

99 Copy of the Registrant's Earnings Press Release, dated
January 28, 1998.

EXHIBIT 99

Contact: Susan Gaffney
(302) 774-2698

DUPONT REPORTS FULL YEAR AND FOURTH QUARTER 1997 EARNINGS

Wilmington, Del., Jan. 28 -- DuPont reported fourth
quarter and full year 1997 basic earnings per share, before
nonrecurring charges, of $.84 and $3.61, respectively, marking
the fifteenth consecutive quarter and fourth consecutive year of
record results for comparable periods. On this basis, earnings
per share versus 1996 are up 11 percent for the quarter and
9 percent for the year.

1997 Highlights Include:

o Fourth year of record earnings before nonrecurring charges
overcoming 7 percent penalty from currency.

o Sales volumes in Chemicals and Specialties were up
7 percent -- 5 percent in the United States, 7 percent in
Asia and 11 percent in Europe.

o Conoco achieved record earnings while increasing reserves
about 38 percent, a fourfold increase versus production.

o $7 billion in acquisitions were announced to strengthen
position in chemicals and energy markets, while opening
tremendous new potential in life sciences.

EARNINGS PER SHARE COMPARISONS

12 Mos. % Change 3 Mos. Ended % Change
1997 From '96 12/31/97 From Q4'96
Reported
(Basic EPS) $2.12 (34) $.23 (70)
(Diluted EPS) $2.08 (35) $.23 (69)

Underlying
(Basic EPS) $3.61 9 $.84 11
(Diluted EPS) $3.55 9 $.83 11

=================================================================

Including net nonrecurring charges totaling $.61 for the
quarter, and $1.49 for the year, principally due to the write-off
of in-process research and development related to acquisitions,
basic earnings per share for the fourth quarter and full year
were $.23 and $2.12, respectively. Earnings per share on a
diluted basis were $.23 for the quarter and $2.08 for the year.
"DuPont's 1997 earnings per share grew 9 percent over
1996, even in the face of a 7 percent negative impact from
worldwide currency fluctuation," commented DuPont chairman and
CEO, John A. Krol. "1997 is our fourth consecutive year of
record earnings on an underlying basis. In addition, we began a
major transition to a 21st century DuPont, with a number of
strategic acquisitions and alliances that strengthen our global
materials and life sciences businesses."
Net income for the year before nonrecurring items
totaled $4.1 billion, up 9 percent from the $3.7 billion in
1996. Sales were $45.1 billion, up 3 percent. Total year-end
debt, net of cash and cash equivalents, was $11.1 billion, an
increase of $3.1 billion from December 1996, reflecting
$5.5 billion for strategic investments, partly offset by
internally generated cash flow.

Chemicals and Specialties
The after-tax income, before nonrecurring charges, from
Chemicals and Specialties businesses was a record $3.4 billion,
up 5 percent, while finishing the year with a strong fourth
quarter, up 16 percent. In addition:
o Sales for the year totaled $24.1 billion, up 4 percent
on a continuing business basis, reflecting 7 percent
higher volume offset by 3 percent lower selling prices.

o Sales volumes were up 5 percent in the United States,
7 percent in Asia and 11 percent in Europe.

o Prices in the United States were flat, while prices
outside the United States averaged 7 percent lower,
almost entirely attributable to a stronger U.S. dollar.

o Key acquisitions/ventures include:

- A 20 percent interest in Pioneer Hi-Bred Inter-
national combined with a research alliance and a
new joint venture.

- Protein Technologies International, a leading
global supplier of soy proteins.

- ICI's global polyester intermediates and resins
businesses. (The acquisition of ICI's films and
white pigments businesses are expected to close
early in 1998.)

Petroleum
Conoco, DuPont's energy subsidiary, reached record earn-
ings of $1.1 billion, up 19 percent, before nonrecurring
charges.
o Upstream operations earned $775 million, up 10 percent.
Higher international gas volumes, up 5 percent, and
improved average U.S. gas prices, up 15 percent, more
than offset an 8 percent lower net realized average oil
price of $18.58 per barrel.

o Downstream operations earned $299 million, up 53 percent
due to a 5 percent increase in refined product sales and
higher margins.

o Conoco achieved the largest net increase in reserves
during a single year in its history. Worldwide proved
reserves were up about 38 percent at the end of 1997
versus 1996, as reserves added increased fourfold versus
production. This reflects reserves acquired in the
South Texas Lobo gas trend and Conoco's equity share of
the Petrozuata heavy oil joint venture in Venezuela.

"1998 will be a challenging year, particularly in the
first half, given the economic situation in Asia and weaker oil
prices," said Charles O. Holliday, DuPont President and
CEO-Designate. " In spite of those challenges, we see enough
opportunities to deliver another record year. We anticipate
volume growth in Chemicals and Specialties, favorable raw
materials pricing and less impact from currency. In addition,
we recently announced plans to streamline administrative work as
part of our plan to significantly improve productivity
throughout the company."
Segment Results
The following commentary compares results for the full
year 1997 with the year 1996 for each industry segment, after
excluding the earnings impact of nonrecurring items and adjust-
ing sales for changes in business composition.
Chemicals segment earnings were $600 million compared to
$584 million earned last year, up 3 percent, as higher earnings
from specialty chemicals were partly offset by lower earnings
from white pigments. However, white pigments prices improved

throughout the year. Segment sales of $4.3 billion were
3 percent higher, reflecting 7 percent higher sales volume and
4 percent lower prices.
Fibers segment earnings of $980 million were 18 percent
above the $834 million earned in 1996. This is attributable to
improved results across all business units, with the largest
earnings growth from "Lycra" spandex and nylon. Sales of
$7.7 billion were up 7 percent as selling prices averaged
2 percent lower and sales volumes were 9 percent higher.
Earnings for the polymers segment were $924 million, up
8 percent from $854 million in 1996. Increased earnings were
principally from packaging and industrial polymers, and automo-
tive products. Segment sales of $6.8 billion were 5 percent
above 1996, reflecting 7 percent higher volume and 2 percent
lower selling prices.
Petroleum segment earnings were a record $1,074 million,
up $173 million or 19 percent. Worldwide crude oil production
of 337 thousand barrels per day and natural gas deliveries of
1.2 billion cubic feet per day were essentially flat. U.S.
upstream earnings totaled $404 million, up 40 percent due to
higher gas prices and asset sales, partly offset by lower oil
and gas volumes and lower crude oil prices. Outside the United
States, upstream earnings were $371 million, down 11 percent due
to lower crude oil prices, partly offset by increased oil and
gas volumes. Worldwide refined product sales were 1 million

barrels per day, up 5 percent. U.S. downstream earnings of
$170 million improved 59 percent reflecting higher refined
product margins and volumes. Downstream earnings outside the
United States of $129 million were up 47 percent reflecting
higher European margins and increased refinery production.
Life Sciences segment earnings were $607 million, down
23 percent from $789 million in 1996. This principally reflects
the absence of the favorable allocation of $186 million operat-
ing income to DuPont from the DuPont Merck Pharmaceuticals joint
venture last year. After adjusting for this, segment earnings
were essentially flat. Agricultural products earnings were
lower due to the stronger U.S. dollar, seasonal operating losses
from our 20 percent ownership in Pioneer, and shutdown expenses
associated with triazenes. Segment sales were $2.5 billion, up
2 percent and reflect 6 percent higher volume, partly offset by
4 percent lower prices.
Diversified Businesses earnings were $275 million, up
75 percent. This principally reflects lower operating losses
from printing and publishing businesses expected to be sold
early in the year, and medical products businesses now divested.
Higher earnings were realized from photopolymers and electronic
materials and coal. Segment sales were $2.7 billion, down
2 percent, reflecting 8 percent lower selling prices, partly
offset by 6 percent higher sales volume.

1/28/98

E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

Three Months Ended Year Ended
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT December 31 December 31
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in millions, except per share) 1997 1996 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SALES .................................................... $11,330 $11,407 $45,079 $43,810
Other Income ............................................. 512<Fa> 268 1,574<Fa><Fb> 1,340
------- ------- ------- -------
Total ................................................ 11,842 11,675 46,653 45,150
------- ------- ------- -------
Cost of Goods Sold and Other Expenses .................... 8,735 8,541 33,793 32,575
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses ............. 716 750 2,711 2,856
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization ................. 600 735 2,385 2,621
Exploration Expenses, Including Dry Hole Costs
and Impairment of Unproved Properties .................. 136 169 457 404
Interest and Debt Expense ................................ 183 166 642 713
Purchased In-Process Research and Development<Fc> ........ 628 - 1,478 -
Write-down of Assets and Related Costs<Fd> ............... 167 - 507 -
------- ------- ------- -------
Total ................................................ 11,165 10,361 41,973 39,169
------- ------- ------- -------
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES ............................. 677 1,314 4,680 5,981
Provision for Income Taxes ............................... 415<Fc> 456 2,275<Fc> 2,345
------- ------- ------- -------
NET INCOME ............................................... $ 262 $ 858 $ 2,405 $ 3,636
======= ======= ======= =======

EARNINGS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK<Fe>:
Basic .................................................. $ .23 $ .76 $ 2.12 $ 3.23<Ff>
Diluted ................................................ $ .23 $ .75 $ 2.08<Ff> $ 3.18<Ff>
======= ======= ======= =======
DIVIDENDS PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK ...................... $ .315 $ .285 $ 1.23 $ 1.115
======= ======= ======= =======

<FN>
<Fa> Includes $239 from the gain on the sale of certain North Sea petroleum
producing and exploration properties.

<Fb> Includes a benefit of $115 from the Company's equity interest in the gain
on the sale by The DuPont Merck Pharmaceutical Co. of its generic and
multisource product lines.

<Fc> Represents charges of $53 for revision of the purchase price allocation
in connection with the purchase of a 20% interest in Pioneer Hi-Bred
International, $500 for purchase of Protein Technologies International
and $75 for purchase of Imperial Chemical Industries PLC's global
polyester intermediates and resins businesses for the quarter, and $903
for Pioneer, $500 for PTI and $75 for ICI for the year, related to the
value assigned to research and development in progress at the time of
purchase for which technological feasibility has not yet been established
and no alternative future use is anticipated. The charges associated
with Pioneer and PTI were not tax effected because these transactions
were stock acquisitions rather than asset purchases. Both the PTI and
ICI charges are based on preliminary allocations of purchase price that
are subject to revision following completion of purchase accounting
and/or independent valuations by an outside appraisal firm.

[FN]
<Fd> Represents charges of $112 for impairment of nonrevenue producing
petroleum properties and $55 for a writedown of an office building held
for sale for the quarter and year and, also for the year, charges of $340
associated with the pending sale of the Company's global graphic arts
films and offset printing plates businesses.

<Fe> Earnings per share are calculated on the basis of the following average
number of common shares:

Three Months Ended Year Ended
December 31 December 31
------------------ -------------

Basic: 1997 1,131,053,603 1,130,755,483
1996 1,126,085,074 1,121,350,592

Diluted: 1997 1,148,485,338 1,149,803,450
1996 1,142,825,271 1,139,822,755

(f) Earnings per share does not equal the sum of quarterly earnings per share
due to changes in average share calculations.

E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

Three Months Ended Year Ended
CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION December 31 December 31
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in millions) 1997 1996 1997 1996
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SALES
- -----
Chemicals ...................................... $ 1,084 $ 1,041 $ 4,267 $ 4,141
Fibers ......................................... 1,932 1,903 7,680 7,204
Polymers ....................................... 1,724 1,628 6,830 6,699
Petroleum ...................................... 5,427 5,617 20,990 20,166
Life Sciences .................................. 461 472 2,518 2,472
Diversified Businesses ......................... 702 746 2,794 3,128
------- ------- ------- -------
Total ...................................... $11,330 $11,407 $45,079 $43,810
======= ======= ======= =======
AFTER-TAX OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
- ---------------------------------
Chemicals ...................................... $ 166 $ 138 $ 600 $ 563<Fa>
Fibers ......................................... 264 241 980 802<Fa>
Polymers ....................................... 229 199 924 909<Fb>
Petroleum ...................................... 209 <Fc> 213 1,068 <Fc> 860<Fd>
Life Sciences .................................. (515)<Fe><Ff> 139 (786)<Fe><Ff> 679<Ff>
Diversified Businesses ......................... 20 <Fe> 6 (8)<Fe><Fg> 205<Fh>
------- ------- ------- -------
Total ...................................... 373 936 2,778 4,018

Interest and Other Corporate
Expenses Net of Tax .......................... (111) (78) (373) (382)
------- ------- ------- -------
NET INCOME ..................................... $ 262 $ 858 $ 2,405 $ 3,636
- ---------- ======= ======= ======= =======

<FN>
<Fa> The Chemicals and Fibers segments include a charge of $21 and $32,
respectively, principally for employee separation costs in the United
States.

<Fb> Includes a gain of $55 associated with the formation of the DuPont Dow
Elastomers joint venture.

<Fc> Includes charges of $112 for impairment of nonrevenue producing
properties and $55 for a write-down of an office building held for sale,
substantially offset by a $161 gain on the sale of certain North Sea
producing and exploration properties.

<Fd> Includes charges of $63 for write-down of investment in a European
natural gas marketing joint venture, and $22, principally, for employee
separation costs in the United States, partly offset by a net benefit of
$44 related to environmental insurance recoveries.

[FN]
<Fe> The Life Sciences and Diversified Businesses segments include a charge of
$553 ($53 for revision of the purchase price allocation in connection
with the acquisition of a 20% interest in Pioneer Hi-Bred International
and $500 for purchase of Protein Technologies International) and $63
(purchase of Imperial Chemical Industries PLC's global polyester
intermediates and resins businesses), respectively, for the quarter, and
$1,403 ($903 for Pioneer and $500 for PTI) and $63 (ICI), respectively,
for the year, related to the value assigned to research and development
in progress at the time of purchase for which technological feasibility
has not yet been established and no alternative future use is
anticipated.

<Ff> Includes a charge of $62 for the fourth quarter 1997 and $62 and $110 for
the year ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, associated with
"Benlate" 50 DF fungicide recall. Also the year ended December 31, 1997
includes a benefit of $72 from the company's equity interest in the gain
on the sale by DuPont Merck of its generic and multisource product lines.

<Fg> Includes a charge of $220 for the write-down of assets held for sale and
other related costs associated with the pending sale of the company's
global graphic arts films and offset printing plates businesses.

<Fh> Includes gains of $41 from the sale of certain medical products
businesses and $33 related to sale of stock received in connection with
the previously sold connector systems business, and a charge of $26,
principally employee separation costs outside the United States,
associated with the printing and publishing business.

E. I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES

After-Tax Operating Income
------------------------------------------------------
CONSOLIDATED INDUSTRY SEGMENT INFORMATION Three Months Ended Year Ended
EXCLUDING IMPACT OF NONRECURRING ITEMS December 31 December 31
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in millions) 1997 1996 1997 1996
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Chemicals ...................................... $ 166 $ 138 $ 600 $ 584
Fibers ......................................... 264 241 980 834
Polymers ....................................... 229 199 924 854
Petroleum ...................................... 215 213 1,074 901
Life Sciences .................................. 100 139 607 789
Diversified Businesses ......................... 83 6 275 157
------ ------ ------ ------
Total ...................................... $1,057 $ 936 $4,460 $4,119

Less: Interest and Other Corporate Expenses
Net of Tax ................................... (111) (78) (373) (382)
------ ------ ------ ------

Total ...................................... $ 946 $ 858 $4,087 $3,737
====== ====== ====== ======