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: July 27, 1995

       Date of Earliest Event Reported: July 27, 1995

                  Equitable of Iowa Companies
     (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


     Iowa                          0-8590               42-1083593
(State or other               (Commission File         (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of                    Number)           Identification No.)
incorporation)


           604 Locust Street, Des Moines, Iowa       50306
        (Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (515) 245-6911





















Item 5.  Other Events.

     See attached press release dated July 27, 1995 which by this 
reference is incorporated herein.


Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(c)  The following exhibits are filed as part of this report in
     accordance with the provisions of Item 601 of Regulation S-K.


     99       July 27, 1995  Press Release





                           SIGNATURES


     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.


Date:  July 27, 1995                    EQUITABLE OF IOWA COMPANIES



                                   By   /s/ Paul E. Larson
                                      _____________________________  
                                        Paul E. Larson
                                        Executive Vice President and
                                        Chief Financial Officer
                                        (Principal Financial Officer)
























                       INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                   CURRENT REPORT ON FORM 8-K
                         July 27, 1995

                  EQUITABLE OF IOWA COMPANIES



99   Additional Exhibits

     July 27, 1995 Press Release