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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: January 27, 1998


                      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 January 27, 1998, Old Kent Financial Corporation issued the
press releases attached as Exhibit 99 to this Form 8-K.


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

     (c)  Exhibits:

          99   Press Releases dated January 27, 1998.






































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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: January 28,1998             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 Releases dated January 27, 1998.