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                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, DC 20549


                                 FORM 8-K


                              CURRENT REPORT

                  Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                      Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                      Date of Report: April 30, 1997


                      OLD KENT FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                       (Exact name of registrant as
                         specified in its charter)


                 MICHIGAN            0-12216           38-1986608
              (State or other      (Commission        (IRS Employer
              jurisdiction of       File Number)   Identification no.)
              incorporation)

           ONE VANDENBERG CENTER
          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN                          49503
 (Address of principal executive offices)                             (Zip Code)

                      Registrant's telephone number,
                   including area code:  (616) 771-5000











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Item 5.   OTHER EVENTS.

          On April 30, 1997, Old Kent Financial Corporation issued the
press release attached as Exhibit 99 to this Form 8-K.


Item 7.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION, AND

EXHIBITS.

     (c)  Exhibits:

          99   Press Release dated April 30, 1997.





































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                                 SIGNATURE


          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 thereunto duly authorized.


Dated: May 1, 1997                 OLD KENT FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                                   (Registrant)


                                   By: /S/ ALBERT T. POTAS
                                         Albert T. Potas
                                         Senior Vice President
                                         and Controller


































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                               EXHIBIT INDEX


EXHIBIT NUMBER           DOCUMENT

     99        Press Release dated April 30, 1997.