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                                  EXHIBIT 99.3

                       MARION MERRELL DOW INC. ANNOUNCES
                   PURCHASE OF MAJORITY OWNERSHIP BY HOECHST

KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 28, 1995 - Marion Merrell Dow Inc. (NYSE: MKC) today
announced that a wholly owned subsidiary of Hoechst AG has purchased
approximately 197 million shares, or 71 percent, of Marion Merrell Dow's
outstanding common stock from The Dow Chemical Company.  The price was
$25.75 per share, or about $5.1 billion.

The remaining 29 percent, or approximately 80 million shares, will be
acquired by Hoechst through a merger.  A special meeting of shareholders is
scheduled for July 18 to vote on the transaction, although approval is
assured because Hoechst has committed to vote its 71 percent of the shares
in favor.  An information statement is being sent to Marion Merrell Dow
shareholders today.  Following the special meeting, the merger will become
effective and minority shareholders will receive letters of transmittal
explaining how to obtain payment of $25.75 per share in cash, plus an
additional amount based upon a pro rata  portion of the regular quarterly
dividend depending on the timing of the closing of the merger.