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: August 16, 1999


                 CHASE MANHATTAN BANK USA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
           ----------------------------------------------------------
                  (Originator of the Trust referred to herein)
           (Exact name of the registrant as specified in its charter)


                     CHASE MANHATTAN AUTO OWNER TRUST 1997-A
                     ---------------------------------------
                                    (Issuer)


         Delaware                       333-7575                13-2633612
- ----------------------------    ------------------------    -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction    (Commission File Number)    (IRS Employer
of incorporation)                                           Identification No.)


         802 Delaware Avenue, Wilmington, Delaware      19801
         -----------------------------------------   ----------
         (Address of principal executive offices)    (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (302) 575-5033



Item 5. Other Events:

     Chase Manhattan Auto Owner Trust 1997-A is the issuer of 5 classes of Asset
Backed Notes and a single class of Asset Backed Certificates. The notes and
certificates are serviced in accordance with the Sale and Servicing Agreement,
dated as of February 28, 1997, as amended. The parties to the Sale and Servicing
Agreement are: Chase Manhattan Bank USA, National Association, as seller and as
servicer, and Chase Manhattan Owner Trust, as issuer.

     On August 16, 1999, Chase USA, as servicer, distributed monthly interest to
the holders of the notes and certificates. Chase USA furnished a copy of the
monthly statement to certificateholders for the series as required by the Sale
and Servicing Agreement. A copy of the monthly statement to certificateholders
is being filed as Exhibit 20.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.


Item 7(c).        Exhibits

                  Exhibits          Description
                  --------          -----------

                  20.1              Monthly Statement to
                                    Certificateholders with respect to
                                    the August 16, 1999 distribution.



                                   SIGNATURES

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


Dated:  August 27, 1999

                                    By: THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, USA,
                                    NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                                    as Servicer


                                    By: /s/ Patricia Garvey
                                    -----------------------
                                    Name: Patricia Garvey
                                    Title: Vice President





                           INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                           -----------------

Exhibit No.                Description
- -----------                -----------
20.1                       Statement  to  Certificateholders   dated  8/16/1999
                           delivered  pursuant  to Section  5.8 of the Sale and
                           Servicing Agreement dated as of February 28, 1997.