Exhibit (24)

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               -----------------

  The undersigned hereby appoints F. Quinn Stepan, Walter J. Klein and Jeffrey 
W. Bartlett, and each of them individually, the true and lawful attorney or 
attorneys of the undersigned, with substitution and resubstitution, to execute 
in his name, place and stead in his capacity as an officer or director or both 
of Stepan Company, a Delaware Corporation, the Annual Report of Form 10-K under 
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and any amendments or supplements thereto, 
and all instruments necessary or incidental in connection therewith, and to file
or cause to be filed such Annual Report and related documents with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission. Each of said attorneys shall have full power
and authority to do and perform, in the name and on behalf of the undersigned, 
every act whatsoever necessary or desirable to be done in the premises, as fully
as all intents and purposes of the undersigned could do in person. The 
undersigned hereby ratifies and approves the actions of said attorneys and each 
of them.

  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Power of Attorney on 
this ____ day of March, 1994.


                                             --------------------------------
                                             F. Quinn Stepan
                                             James J. Gavin, Jr.
                                             Thomas F. Grojean
                                             James A. Hartlage
                                             Walter J. Klein
                                             Paul H. Stepan
                                             Robert D. Cadieux