SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
  
  
                                  FORM 6-K
  
  
                      REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
                    PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
                    THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
  
                      For the month of December, 1998
  
                            ____________________
  
                         THE DIALOG CORPORATION PLC
           (exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                            ____________________
  
                        THE COMMUNICATIONS BUILDING
                            48 LEICESTER SQUARE
                          LONDON WC2H 7DB, ENGLAND
                  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)
                           _____________________
  
  
      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file
 annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:   

                               FORM 20-F (X)            FORM 40-F( ) 
  
      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
 information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the
 information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the
 Securities Exchange Act of 1934: 

                                YES  ( )      NO  (X) 
  

      On December 21, 1998, The Dialog Corporation plc (the "Registrant")
 announced that Allen Thomas, a non executive director, has been appointed
 Deputy Chairman of the Registrant's board of directors, effective
 immediately. 
  

  
                             EXHIBIT INDEX 
  
 Exhibit No.                     Description                  Page No. 
 -----------                     -----------                  --------
    99.1         Press Release, "The Dialog Corporation          2
                 Appoints Allen Thomas, Deputy Chairman,"
                 dated as of December 21, 1998.