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: September 15, 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


             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 September 15, 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 September 15, 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:  September 30, 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 9/15/1999 delivered pursuant
                                        to Section 5.8 of the Sale and
                                        Servicing Agreement dated as of
                                        February 28, 1997.