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 27 day of March 1998


                                                /s/   F. Quinn Stepan
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                F. Quinn Stepan

                                                /s/   Thomas F. Grojean
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                Thomas F. Grojean

                                                /s/   James A. Hartlage
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                James A. Hartlage

                                                /s/   Walter J. Klein
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                Walter J. Klein

                                                /s/   Paul H. Stepan
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                Paul H. Stepan

                                                /s/   Robert D. Cadieux
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                Robert D. Cadieux

                                                /s/   Robert G. Potter
                                               ---------------------------------
                                                Robert G. Potter