EXHIBIT 99.1

                        DAMES & MOORE GROUP DECLARES DIVIDEND
                   DISTRIBUTION OF PREFERRED SHARE PURCHASE RIGHTS



          Los Angeles, California, March 14, 1997 -- The Board of Directors of
Dames & Moore Group today declared a dividend distribution of one Preferred
Share Purchase Right on each outstanding share of Dames & Moore Group common
stock.  Each Right will entitle stockholders to buy one two-hundredth of a share
of newly created Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of the company at
an exercise price of $65.  The rights will be exercisable if a person or group
acquires 15% or more of the company's common stock or announces a tender offer
for 15% or more of the common stock.  The Dames & Moore Group Board will be
entitled to redeem the rights at $0.01 per right at any time before the tenth
day after a person has acquired 15% or more of the outstanding common stock.

          The rights are not being distributed in response to any specific
effort to acquire control of the company.  The rights are designed to assure
that all Dames & Moore Group stockholders receive fair and equal treatment in
the event of any proposed takeover of the company and to guard against partial
tender offers, open market accumulations and other abusive tactics to gain
control of Dames & Moore Group without paying all stockholders a control
premium.

          If a person acquires 15% or more of the outstanding common stock of
Dames & Moore Group, each right will entitle its holder to purchase, at the
right's then-current exercise price, a number of common shares of Dames &
Moore Group having a market value at that time of twice the right's exercise 
price.  Rights held by the 15% holder will become void and will not be
exercisable to purchase shares at the bargain purchase price.  If Dames & Moore
Group is




acquired in a merger or other business combination transaction which has not
been approved by the Board of Directors, each right will entitle its holder to
purchase, at the right's then-current exercise price, a number of the acquiring
company's common shares having a market value at that time of twice the right's
exercise price.

          "The rights are intended to enable all Dames & Moore Group
stockholders to realize the long-term value of their investment in the company.
They do not prevent a takeover, but should encourage anyone seeking to acquire
the company to negotiate with the Board of Directors prior to attempting a
takeover.  Over 1,500 other public companies have adopted rights plans in recent
years," said Arthur C. Darrow, President and Chief Executive Officer of Dames &
Moore Group.

          The dividend distribution will be payable to stockholders of record on
March 28, 1997.  The rights will expire in 10 years.  The rights distribution is
not taxable to stockholders.


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