1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 -------------------------------------------- FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED): OCTOBER 21, 1997 TENNECO INC. (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER) DELAWARE 1-12387 76-0515284 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (COMMISSION FILE NUMBER) (IRS EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.) INCORPORATION) 1275 KING STREET 06831 GREENWICH, CONNECTICUT (ZIP CODE) (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (203) 863-1000 2 ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS ON OCTOBER 21, 1997, TENNECO INC. (THE "COMPANY") ANNOUNCED ITS EARNINGS IN THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND OTHER MATTERS. A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S NEWS RELEASE IS ATTACHED AS AN EXHIBIT TO THIS REPORT. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS. (C) EXHIBITS. EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION 99 NEWS RELEASE ISSUED OCTOBER 21, 1997 BY TENNECO INC. REGARDING EARNINGS OF TENNECO INC. IN THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997 AND OTHER MATTERS. -2- 3 SIGNATURES 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 hereunto duly authorized. TENNECO INC. Date: October 23, 1997 By: /s/ Karl A. Stewart ------------------------------------ Karl A. Stewart Vice President and Secretary -3- 4 EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION 99 NEWS RELEASE ISSUED OCTOBER 21, 1997 BY TENNECO INC. REGARDING EARNINGS OF TENNECO INC. IN THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 AND OTHER MATTERS. -4-