SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 8-K


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


        Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported) January 16, 1997




                            HOST MARRIOTT CORPORATION
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)



                                    Delaware
                 (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

                                     1-5664
                            (Commission File Number)
          
                                   53-0085950
                     (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)


                  10400 Fernwood Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20817
               (Address of Principle Executive Offices) (Zip Code)



        Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code (301) 380-9000
         (Former Name or Former Address, if changed since last report.)


 





Item 5.  Other Events

On January 16, 1997, the Registrant  announced that it has named  Christopher G.
Townsend as General Counsel replacing  Stephen J. McKenna,  who will remain with
the Company in an of counsel  position.  A copy of the press release is included
as an exhibit.

Item 7.  Financial Statements and Exhibits

         (c)  99.1 News Release dated January 16, 1997.


                                   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.

                                     Host Marriott Corporation

                                     By:    /s/ Donald D. Olinger
                                        -------------------------
                                      Donald D. Olinger
                                      Senior Vice President and
                                      Corporate Controller

January 16, 1997



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