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                                                                EXHIBIT 99.8



                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                                      TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1998

                                                                       CONTACTS:
                                          SCOTT DAHNKE - CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                                   Phone: (402) 593-4511  o  Fax: (402) 339-0265
                                                            E-Mail: ceo@abii.com

                                         STEVE PURCELL - CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                                   Phone: (402) 593-4632  o  Fax: (402) 537-6197
                                                            E-Mail: cfo@abii.com



                AMERICAN BUSINESS INFORMATION, INC.(R) ANNOUNCES
                        ACQUISITION OF WALTER KARL, INC.

(OMAHA, NE) - American Business Information, Inc.(R) (NASDAQ: ABIIA/ABIIB)
today announced the execution of a definitive agreement for the acquisition of
Walter Karl, Inc., a leading national direct marketing service firm that
provides list management, list brokerage, database marketing and direct
marketing services to a wide array of customers. The company was founded in
1957 by Mr. Walter Karl and is headquartered in Greenwich, CT.

"Walter Karl is an old-line blue chip company which provides direct marketing
and data processing services to businesses.  The Company also provides valuable
database marketing, statistical analysis, list brokerage, data enhancements,
and management services - all of which complement the services provided by
Database America, which ABI acquired in early 1997. Additionally, the
acquisition of Walter Karl provides additional capabilities in the list
brokerage and list management arenas of the direct mail industry," announced
Mr. Vinod Gupta, Chairman of American Business Information.

"ABI's distribution strength will provide Walter Karl with great growth
potential. Additionally, the breadth of Database America's and ABI's business
and consumer databases and direct marketing services will enable us to better
serve Walter Karl's existing customers," added Scott Dahnke, Chief Executive
Officer of American Business Information.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 27A of the
Securities Act of 1933, which are subject to the "safe harbor" created by those
sections. Investors are cautioned that such statements are only predictions and
speak only as of the date of this release.  Actual results may differ
materially due to risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the
successful integration of recent and future acquisitions, fluctuation of
operating results, failure to achieve anticipated growth, risk of product
returns, changes in technology, continued acceptance of the Company's products
and services in the marketplace, and competitive factors.

American Business Information, Inc.(R) is a leading provider of business and
consumer marketing information products and data processing services in the
United States and Canada. Over 1.6 million businesses and consumers use ABI
products and services for sales leads, direct mail, market research, credit
reference, and general household applications. Founded in 1972, the Company is
headquartered at 5711 South 86th Circle, P.O. Box 27347, Omaha, NE  68127-0347.
American Business Information(R) can be contacted at (402) 593-4500 or on the
World Wide Web at www.SalesLeadsUSA.com.

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