ATLANTIC RICHFIELD CO /DE
10-Q, 1997-11-12
PETROLEUM REFINING
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                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                         Washington, D.C.   20549
                             ________________
                                     
                                 FORM 10-Q
                             ________________
                                     
          QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                      SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                             _______________                                    
                                     
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1997
Commission file number 1-1196
                             ________________
                                     
                        ATLANTIC RICHFIELD COMPANY
          (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                             _________________
                                     
                 Delaware                              23-0371610
       (State or other jurisdiction of               (I.R.S. Employer
        incorporation or organization)              Identification No.)

           515 South Flower Street
           Los Angeles, California                         90071
   (Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip code)
                            __________________
                                     
                              (213) 486-3511
           (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
                            __________________
                                     
                              Not Applicable
              (Former name, former address and former fiscal
                    year, if changed since last report)

     Indicate  by  check  mark  whether  the  registrant (1) has filed  all
reports  required  to  be filed by Section 13 or 15(d)  of  the  Securities
Exchange  Act  of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter
period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2)  has
been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
                              Yes X    No
                                 ---     ---

     Number of shares of Common Stock, $2.50 par value, outstanding  as  of
September 30, 1997:  320,755,072.

<PAGE>

                      PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         ATLANTIC RICHFIELD COMPANY AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
               CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
                                     
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
                                     
                                       Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
                                          September 30,       September 30,
                                       ------------------   -----------------
(Millions except per share amounts)      1997      1996       1997      1996
                                         ----      ----       ----      ----
<S>                                     <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Revenues
  Sales and other operating revenues .  $4,553    $4,748    $14,184   $13,463
  Other revenues . . . . . . . . . . .     149       130        511       470
                                         -----     -----     ------    ------
                                         4,702     4,878     14,695    13,933
                                         -----     -----     ------    ------
Expenses
  Trade purchases. . . . . . . . . . .   1,914     2,009      6,136     5,549
  Operating expenses . . . . . . . . .   1,221       999      3,318     2,891
  Selling, general and administrative
    expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . .     279       232        801       728
  Depreciation, depletion and
    amortization . . . . . . . . . . .     433       399      1,277     1,202
  Exploration expenses (including
    undeveloped leasehold amortization)    113       101        329       308
  Taxes other than income taxes. . . .     177       187        585       598
  Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     133       160        307       500
  Unusual items. . . . . . . . . . . .     175         -        175        26
                                         -----     -----     ------    ------ 
                                         4,445     4,087     12,928    11,802
                                         -----     -----     ------    ------
Income before gain on investee stock
  transaction. . . . . . . . . . . . .     257       791      1,767     2,131
Gain on sale of Lyondell Petrochemical
  Company stock. . . . . . . . . . . .     633         -        633         -
                                         -----     -----     ------    ------
Income before income taxes, minority
  interest and extraordinary item. . .     890       791      2,400     2,131
Provision for taxes on income. . . . .     370       287        849       768
Minority interest in earnings of
  subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . .       4        25         44        80
                                         -----     -----     ------    ------
Net income before extraordinary item .     516       479      1,507     1,283

Extraordinary loss on extinguishment
  of debt (net of income taxes of
  $74 million) . . . . . . . . . . . .       -         -       (118)        -
                                         -----     -----     ------    ------
Net Income . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $  516    $  479    $ 1,389   $ 1,283
                                         =====     =====     ======    ======
Earned per Share
  Income before extraordinary item . .  $ 1.57    $ 1.47    $  4.59   $  3.93
  Extraordinary loss . . . . . . . . .       -         -       (.36)        -
                                         -----     -----     ------    ------
  Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $ 1.57    $ 1.47    $  4.23   $  3.93
                                         =====     =====     ======    ======
Cash Dividends Paid per Share of
  Common Stock . . . . . . . . . . . .  $.7125    $.6875    $2.1125   $2.0625
                                         =====     =====     ======    ======
</TABLE>

     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

                                  - 1 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        ATLANTIC RICHFIELD COMPANY
                        CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                     
                                                  September 30,   December 31,
                                                      1997            1996
                                                      ----            ---- 
                                                            (Millions)
<S>                                                  <C>            <C>
Assets
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . .    $   665        $ 1,460
  Short-term investments. . . . . . . . . . . . .        230            784
  Accounts receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      1,511          1,936
  Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      1,065            995
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets . . .        328            258
                                                      ------         ------
  Total current assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . .      3,799          5,433
                                                      ------         ------
Investments and long-term receivables:
  Investments accounted for on the equity method.      1,193          1,174
  Other investments and long-term receivables . .      1,916          1,188
                                                      ------         ------
                                                       3,109          2,362
                                                      ------         ------                                                 
Net property, plant and equipment . . . . . . . .     16,652         16,195

Deferred charges and other assets . . . . . . . .      1,663          1,725
                                                      ------         ------
Total assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $25,223        $25,715
                                                      ======         ======
</TABLE>
                                     
     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

                                  - 2 -

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        ATLANTIC RICHFIELD COMPANY
                        CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                                     
                                                September 30,    December 31,
                                                    1997             1996
                                                    ----             ----
                                                          (Millions)
<S>                                               <C>              <C>
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
  Notes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $ 1,816          $ 1,157
  Accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . .       1,054            1,443
  Long-term debt due within one year. . . . .         178            1,102
  Taxes payable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         653              438
  Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       1,216            1,163
                                                   ------           ------
  Total current liabilities . . . . . . . . .       4,917            5,303
                                                   ------           ------

Long-term debt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       4,336            5,593
Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . . . . .       2,930            2,884
Other deferred liabilities and credits. . . .       3,620            3,450
Minority interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         715              684
Stockholders' equity:
  Preference stocks . . . . . . . . . . . . .           1                1
  Common stock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         807              403
  Capital in excess of par value of stock . .         625              628
  Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . . .       6,902            6,592
  Equity adjustments. . . . . . . . . . . . .         370              177
                                                   ------           ------
  Total stockholders' equity. . . . . . . . .       8,705            7,801
                                                   ------           ------

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity. .     $25,223          $25,715
                                                   ======           ====== 
</TABLE>

     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

                                   - 3 -
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                        ATLANTIC RICHFIELD COMPANY
                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

                                                         Nine Months Ended
                                                           September 30,
                                                         -----------------
                                                          1997       1996
                                                          ----       ----
                                                             (Millions)
<S>                                                      <C>        <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $1,389     $1,283
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
 provided by operating activities:
  Depreciation, depletion and amortization . . . . .      1,277      1,202
  Gain on sale of Lyondell Petrochemical
    Company common stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (291)         -
  Dry hole expense and undeveloped leasehold
    amortization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        131        157
  Net gain on asset sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (48)       (42)
  Income from equity investments . . . . . . . . . .       (139)       (59)
  Dividends from equity investments. . . . . . . . .         78         56
  Minority interest in earnings of subsidiaries. . .         44         80
  Cash payments (greater) less than noncash
    provisions. . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        203       (182)
  Extraordinary loss on extinguishment of debt . . .        118          -
  Deferred income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (124)        37
  Changes in working capital accounts. . . . . . . .       (227)        10
  Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         37         (8)
                                                          -----      -----
    Net cash provided by operating activities. . . .      2,448      2,534
                                                          -----      -----
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Additions to fixed assets (including dry hole costs)   (1,974)    (1,617)
  Net cash provided by short-term investments. . . .        549        135
  Investment in LUKARCO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (201)         -
  Investment in LUKOIL convertible bonds . . . . . .          -        (89)
  Proceeds from asset sales. . . . . . . . . . . . .         76         49
  Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (83)       (14)
                                                          -----      -----
    Net cash used by investing activities. . . . . .     (1,633)    (1,536)
                                                          -----      -----
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Repayments of long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . .     (1,684)      (236)
  Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt . . . . .        267        111
  Net cash provided (used) by notes payable. . . . .        701       (302)
  Dividends paid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (680)      (666)
  Treasury stock purchases . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (205)       (57)
  Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          4        (10)
                                                          -----      -----
    Net cash used by financing activities. . . . . .     (1,597)    (1,160)
                                                          -----      -----   
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash. . . . . . .        (13)         -
                                                          -----      -----
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents. . . . . .       (795)      (162)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period . .      1,460      1,537
                                                          -----      -----
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period . . . . .     $  665     $1,375
                                                          =====      =====
</TABLE>
                                     
     The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

                                 - 4 -
<PAGE>
 

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED

NOTE A.  Accounting Policies.

Basis of Presentation.

     The foregoing financial information is unaudited and has been prepared
from  the  books  and records of the Company.  Certain previously  reported
amounts  have been restated to conform to classifications adopted in  1997.
In  the  opinion  of  the Company, the financial information  reflects  all
adjustments,  consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary  for  a
fair  presentation of the financial position and results of  operations  in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

Environmental Remediation.

     Effective  January 1, 1997, the Company adopted Statement of  Position
("SOP")  96-1,  "Environmental  Remediation  Liabilities,"  issued  by  the
Accounting  Standards  Executive Committee of  the  American  Institute  of
Certified  Public Accountants.  The provisions include standards  affecting
the  measurement,  recognition and disclosure of environmental  remediation
liabilities.   The effect of adopting the provisions of  SOP  96-1  in  the
first  quarter of 1997 was a decrease in the Company's net income  for  the
first nine months of 1997 of $30 million, or $.09 per share.

Derivative Instruments.

     The  Company  uses a variety of derivative instruments, both financial
and  commodity based, to minimize the effects of commodity price,  interest
rate and foreign currency fluctuations.  The Company does not hold or issue
derivative instruments for trading purposes and is not a party to leveraged
instruments.  All derivative instruments are off-balance sheet instruments;
however,   net  receivable  or  payable  positions  related  to  derivative
instruments  are  carried  on  the  balance  sheet.   The  nature  of   the
transaction underlying a risk management strategy, primarily whether or not
the instrument qualifies as a hedge, determines which accounting method  is
used.

     The  conditions to be met for a derivative instrument to qualify as  a
hedge are the following:  (1) the item to be hedged exposes the Company  to
price  or  interest rate risk; (2) the derivative reduces the risk exposure
and is designated as a hedge at the time the derivative contract is entered
into; and (3) at the inception of the hedge and throughout the hedge period
there  is  a  high correlation between changes in the market value  of  the
derivative  instrument  and the fair value of the  underlying  items  being
hedged.

     Deferral  accounting  is used for the following types of  transactions
(providing  the  instrument qualifies as a hedge):  future  crude  oil  and
natural gas production, fixed-price crude oil and natural gas purchase  and
sale   commitments,  U.S.  dollar-denominated  debt  issued  by  a  foreign
subsidiary,  debt denominated in a foreign currency or anticipated  foreign
currency  commitments.  Under the deferral method of accounting, gains  and
losses  are  deferred  and included in other assets or accrued  liabilities
until  the  designated underlying item is recognized in income.  Recognized
gains  and losses under the deferral method are recorded in sales and other
operating  revenues,  other revenues or trade purchases  depending  on  the
underlying  item  associated with the derivative  instrument.   Instruments
typically used in these transactions are crude oil and natural gas swap and
price  collar contracts and some foreign currency swap, forward and  option
contracts.

                                 - 5 -
<PAGE>

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED

NOTE A.  Accounting Policies (continued).

Derivative Instruments (continued).

     The  accrual  method  of  accounting is used for  interest  rate  swap
agreements entered into by the Company which convert the interest  rate  on
variable  rate  debt to a fixed rate.  Under the accrual method,  each  net
payment  or  receipt  due  or  owed  under  the  derivative  instrument  is
recognized  in  income during the period to which the  payment  or  receipt
relates.   Amounts  to  be  paid or received  under  these  agreements  are
recognized  as  an  adjustment to interest expense.   The  related  amounts
payable  to, or receivable from, the counter-parties are included in  other
accrued liabilities.

     The  fair  value  method  of  accounting is used  for  any  derivative
instrument  that  does not qualify as a hedge.  The fair  value  method  of
accounting, whereby gains and losses associated with changes in fair  value
of   a  derivative  instrument  are  recognized  currently  in  income   or
stockholders'  equity,  is used for the following  derivative  instruments:
foreign  currency forward and option contracts associated with  anticipated
future  cash  flows  from  overseas operations and  foreign  currency  swap
contracts  associated  with  foreign-denominated  intercompany  debt   with
maturities  exceeding one year.  Presently, changes in fair  value  of  all
transactions  accounted for under this method are recognized  currently  in
income and reported as other revenues.

     Under  each  method of accounting used by the Company the  cash  flows
related  to  any  recognized  gains or losses  associated  with  derivative
instruments are reported as cash flows from operations.

     If  a  derivative instrument designated as a hedge is terminated prior
to  expected maturity, gains or losses are deferred and included in  income
when the underlying hedged item is recognized in income.

     When  the  designated  item  associated with a  derivative  instrument
matures,  is  sold,  extinguished  or  terminated,  gains  or  losses   are
recognized  as  part  of  the gain or loss on sale  or  settlement  of  the
underlying  item.   When  a derivative instrument  is  associated  with  an
anticipated  transaction that is no longer expected to occur, the  gain  or
loss on the derivative is recognized immediately in income.


NOTE B.  Investments.

     At September 30, 1997 and 1996, investments were primarily composed of
U.S.   Treasury  securities  and  corporate  debt  instruments   and   were
principally  included  in  short-term  investments.   Maturities  generally
ranged  from  one day to 20 months. At September 30, 1997, all  investments
were   classified  as  available-for-sale);  there  were   no   investments
considered held-to-maturity.  Investments were reported at fair value, with
unrealized  holding gains and losses, net of tax, reported  in  a  separate
component of stockholders' equity.

                                  - 6 -
<PAGE>

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED

NOTE B.  Investments (continued).

     The following summarizes investments in securities, at September 30:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            Millions                                      1997     1996
                                                          ----     ----
          <S>                                            <C>      <C>
          Aggregate fair value . . . . . . . . . . .     $2,017   $2,515
          Gross unrealized holding losses. . . . . .          1       14
          Gross unrealized holding gains . . . . . .     (1,104)    (195)
                                                          -----    -----
          Amortized cost . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $  914   $2,334
                                                          =====    =====
</TABLE>
     Investment  activity for the nine-month periods ended September 30 was
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            Millions                                      1997      1996
                                                          ----      ----
          <S>                                            <C>       <C> 
          Gross purchases. . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $5,175    $3,635
          Gross sales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      1,637     1,405
          Gross maturities . . . . . . . . . . . . .      4,494     2,680
</TABLE>
     For  the  three-and  nine-month periods ended September 30,  1997  and
1996,  gross  realized  gains  and  losses  were  insignificant  and   were
determined by the specific identification method.


NOTE C.  Inventories.

     Inventories at September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996 comprised the
following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  September 30,   December 31,
                                                      1997           1996
                                                      ----           ---- 
                                                            (Millions)
   <S>                                               <C>           <C>
   Crude oil and petroleum products . . . . . . . .  $   255       $   204
   Chemical products. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      481           488
   Other products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       51            48
   Materials and supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . .      278           255
                                                      ------        ------
     Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $ 1,065       $   995
                                                      ======        ====== 
</TABLE>

                                 - 7 -
<PAGE>

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED

NOTE D.  Long-term Debt.

     During the second quarter of 1997, ARCO retired debt with a face value
of  $756  million prior to maturity.  The debt repurchases resulted  in  an
extraordinary  charge  of  $118 million, or $.36  per  share,  against  net
income, after tax of $74 million.

     During  the  third quarter of 1997, ARCO retired its 10.25%  Eurobonds
which had a face value of $250 million and were due in 2000.

     In  September  1997, ARCO's  9% Exchangeable Notes due  September  15,
1997,  with  an outstanding principal amount of $988 million were  redeemed
through  exchange  of  Lyondell Petrochemical Company  ("Lyondell")  common
stock owned by ARCO.


NOTE E.  Capital Stock.

     Detail of the Company's capital stock was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  September 30,  December 31,
                                                      1997           1996
                                                      ----           ----
                                                           (Thousands)
   <S>                                              <C>            <C>
   $3.00 Cumulative convertible preference
     stock, par $1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $     57       $     61
   $2.80 Cumulative convertible preference
     stock, par $1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         629            674
   Common stock, par $2.50 . . . . . . . . . . .     806,616        402,715
                                                     -------        -------    
     Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $807,302       $403,450
                                                     =======        =======
</TABLE>
     The  Company's Board  of  Directors  authorized  a  two-for-one  stock
split effective June 13, 1997, in the form of a 100 percent stock dividend.
The par value of the additional shares of common stock issued in connection
with  the stock  split  was  credited  to common stock and charged  against
retained  earnings.  All  per  share data have been adjusted to reflect the
stock split.


NOTE F.  Stockholders' Equity Adjustments.

     Adjustments to stockholders' equity at September 30, 1997 and December
31, 1996 were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 September 30,   December 31,
                                                     1997            1996
                                                     ----            ----
                                                          (Millions)
     <S>                                            <C>             <C>
     Minimum pension liability. . . . . . . . . .   $ (28)          $ (28)
     Treasury stock, at cost. . . . . . . . . . .    (131)             (1)
     Net unrealized gain on investments . . . . .     679             225
     Foreign currency translation . . . . . . . .    (150)            (19)
                                                     ----            ----
       Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 370           $ 177
                                                     ====            ====
</TABLE>

                                    - 8 -
<PAGE>

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED


NOTE G.  Capitalization of Interest.

     Interest  expense excluded capitalized interest of $13 million and  $9
million, respectively, for the three-month periods ended September 30, 1997
and 1996, and $31 million and $21 million, respectively, for the nine-month
periods ended September 30, 1997 and 1996.


NOTE H.  Unusual Items.

     The  unusual  item  in  the third quarter of 1997 was  the  before-tax
charge  of  $175  million  for a restructuring  program  at  ARCO  Chemical
Company.   Activities related to the restructuring program are expected  to
continue  through the end of 1998.  The restructuring charge  included  $75
million  of  personnel-related costs, $23 million of  exit  costs  and  $77
million  related  to the review of certain assets, including $52 million of
valuation adjustments.

     Personnel  costs  included severance, pension enhancements  and  other
ancillary  costs  for  the  reduction of  approximately  630  employees  in
manufacturing,  commercial, research and administrative  activities.   Exit
costs included costs of canceling long-term contracts and leases related to
certain  production, sales and administrative facilities.  As of  September
30,  1997,  the number of terminations and the amount of payments  was  not
significant.


NOTE I.  Income Taxes.

     Provision for taxes on income:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
                                          September 30,       September 30,
                                       ------------------   -----------------
                                        1997       1996      1997       1996
                                        ----       ----      ----       ----
                                                      (Millions)
<S>                                     <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>
Federal:
  Current . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $395       $189      $725       $526
  Deferred. . . . . . . . . . . . .      (84)        19       (70)        29
                                         ---        ---       ---        ---
                                         311        208       655        555
                                         ---        ---       ---        ---
Foreign:
  Current . . . . . . . . . . . . .       24         41        91        106
  Deferred. . . . . . . . . . . . .      (29)         1       (34)         8
                                         ---        ---       ---        ---
                                          (5)        42        57        114
                                         ---        ---       ---        --- 
State:
  Current . . . . . . . . . . . . .       84         37       157         99
  Deferred. . . . . . . . . . . . .      (20)         -       (20)         -
                                         ---        ---       ---        ---
                                          64         37       137         99
                                         ---        ---       ---        ---
      Total . . . . . . . . . . . .     $370       $287      $849       $768
                                         ===        ===       ===        ===
</TABLE>

                                      - 9 -
<PAGE>


          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED

Note I.  Income Taxes (continued).


     Reconciliation  of provision for taxes on income with tax  at  federal
statutory rate:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Three Months Ended
                                                   September 30,
                                      ---------------------------------------
                                             1997                1996
                                      ------------------   ------------------
                                                 Percent             Percent
                                                   of                 of
                                                 Pretax              Pretax
                                       Amount    Income    Amount    Income
                                       ------    -------   ------    -------
                                                    (Millions)
<S>                                    <C>        <C>      <C>        <C>
Income before income taxes, minority
  interest and extraordinary item . .  $  890     100.0    $  791     100.0
                                        =====     =====     =====     =====

Tax at federal statutory rate . . . .  $  311      35.0    $  277      35.0
Increase (reduction) in taxes
 resulting from:
  Dividend exclusion. . . . . . . . .     (12)     (1.3)       (5)     (0.6)
  Subsidiary/investee stock
   transactions . . . . . . . . . . .      79       8.9         -         -
  Taxes on foreign income in excess
   of statutory rate. . . . . . . . .     (19)     (2.1)       22       2.8
  State income taxes (net of federal
   effect). . . . . . . . . . . . . .      42       4.7        24       3.0
  Tax credits . . . . . . . . . . . .     (26)     (2.9)      (23)     (2.9)
  Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      (5)     (0.7)       (8)     (1.0)
                                        -----     -----     -----     -----
Provision for taxes on income . . . .  $  370      41.6    $  287      36.3
                                        =====     =====     =====     ===== 
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Nine Months Ended
                                                    September 30,
                                      ---------------------------------------
                                             1997                 1996
                                      ------------------    -----------------
                                                 Percent              Percent
                                                   of                   of
                                                 Pretax               Pretax
                                       Amount    Income     Amount    Income
                                       ------    -------    ------    -------
                                                     (Millions)
<S>                                    <C>        <C>       <C>        <C>
Income before income taxes, minority
  interest and extraordinary item . .  $2,400     100.0     $2,131     100.0
                                        =====     =====      =====     =====

Tax at federal statutory rate . . . .  $  840      35.0     $  746      35.0
Increase (reduction) in taxes
 resulting from:
  Dividend exclusion. . . . . . . . .    (33)     (1.4)        (10)     (0.5)
  Subsidiary/investee stock
   transactions . . . . . . . . . . .     35       1.5           -         -
  Taxes on foreign income in excess
   of statutory rate. . . . . . . . .      9       0.4          45       2.1
  State income taxes (net of federal
   effect). . . . . . . . . . . . . .     89       3.7          64       3.0
  Tax credits . . . . . . . . . . . .    (77)     (3.2)        (69)     (3.2)
  Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    (14)     (0.6)         (8)     (0.4)
                                       -----     -----       -----     -----
Provision for taxes on income . . . . $  849      35.4      $  768      36.0
                                       =====     =====       =====     =====
</TABLE>
                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED

NOTE J.  Earned Per Share.

     Earned  per  share  is based on the average number  of  common  shares
outstanding  during  each period, including common stock  equivalents  that
consist  of  certain  outstanding options and all  outstanding  convertible
securities.

     The  information necessary for the calculation of earned per share  is
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Three Months Ended
                                                            September 30,
                                                         ------------------
                                                          1997       1996*
                                                          ----       ----
                                                         (Millions of Shares)
   <S>                                                    <C>        <C>
   Average number of common shares outstanding . . . . .  320.7      321.6
   Common stock equivalents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    7.4        5.0
                                                          -----      -----
      Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  328.1      326.6
                                                          =====      =====
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Nine Months Ended
                                                            September 30,
                                                          -----------------
                                                           1997      1996*
                                                           ----      ----
                                                         (Millions of Shares)
   <S>                                                     <C>       <C>
   Average number of common shares outstanding . . . . .   321.3     321.6
   Common stock equivalents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     6.7       5.0
                                                           -----     -----
      Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   328.0     326.6
                                                           =====     =====
   * Restated to give affect to stock split (Note E).
</TABLE>
                                    - 11 -
<PAGE>

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED

NOTE J.  Earned Per Share (continued).

     In  February  1997, the  Financial Accounting Standards  Board  issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 128 "Earnings  Per
Share."  SFAS No. 128 requires companies to adopt its provisions for fiscal
years  ending after December 15, 1997 and requires restatement of all prior
period  earnings per share ("EPS") data presented. Earlier  application  is
not  permitted.  A company is permitted to disclose pro forma  EPS  amounts
computed  using  SFAS  No.  128  in periods  prior  to  required  adoption.
Accordingly,  the  pro forma EPS data for the three-and-nine-month  periods
ended September 30, 1997 and 1996 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Three Months Ended
                                                       September 30,
                                             --------------------------------
                                                 1997               1996*
                                             --------------    --------------
       Millions, except per share amounts    Shares     EPS    Shares     EPS
                                             ------     ---    ------     ---
     <S>                                      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
     Basic EPS. . . . . . . . . . . . . .     322.2    $1.60    321.6    $1.49
     Diluted EPS. . . . . . . . . . . . .     327.2    $1.58    327.4    $1.47
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Nine Months Ended
                                                       September 30,
                                             --------------------------------
                                                 1997               1996*
                                             --------------    --------------
       Millions, except per share amounts    Shares     EPS    Shares     EPS
                                             ------     ---    ------     ---
     <S>                                      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
     Basic EPS. . . . . . . . . . . . . .     321.9    $4.31    321.6    $3.99
     Diluted EPS. . . . . . . . . . . . .     327.2    $4.24    325.9    $3.94
 
     * Restated to give affect to stock split (Note E).
</TABLE>

NOTE K.  Supplemental Income Statement Information.

     Taxes other than income taxes comprised the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     Three Months Ended    Nine Months Ended
                                         September 30,       September 30,
                                     ------------------    -----------------
                                      1997        1996      1997       1996
                                      ----        ----      ----       ----
                                                    (Millions)
<S>                                   <C>         <C>       <C>        <C>
Production/severance . . . . . . .    $ 92        $108      $297       $316
Property . . . . . . . . . . . . .      47          38       140        131
Other. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      38          41       148        151
                                       ---         ---       ---        ---
   Total . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $177        $187      $585       $598
                                       ===         ===       ===        ===
</TABLE>
                                    - 12 -
<PAGE>

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED

NOTE L.  Supplemental Cash Flow Information.

     Following  is  supplemental cash flow information for the nine  months
ended September 30, 1997 and 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Nine Months Ended
                                                       September 30,
                                                     -----------------
                                                      1997       1996
                                                      ----       ----
                                                         (Millions)
   <S>                                               <C>        <C>
   Gross sales and maturities of short-term
     investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 1,696    $ 2,289
   Gross purchases of short-term investments . . . .  (1,147)    (2,154)
                                                      ------     ------
   Net cash provided by short-term investments . . . $   549    $   135
                                                      ======     ======

   Gross proceeds from issuance of notes payable . . $ 7,307    $ 4,603
   Gross repayments of notes payable . . . . . . . .  (6,606)    (4,905)
                                                      ------     ------ 
   Net cash provided (used) by notes payable . . . . $   701    $  (302)
                                                      ======     ======

   Gross noncash provisions charged to income. . . . $   592    $   231
   Reserve reversal from partial tax audit
     settlements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    (145)         -
   Cash payments of previously accrued items . . . .    (244)      (413)
                                                      ------     ------
   Cash payments (greater) less than noncash
     provisions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $   203    $  (182)
                                                      ======     ======
Changes in working capital - Increase (decrease)
  to cash:
   Accounts receivable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $   400    $    73
   Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     (77)       (27)
   Accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    (388)        26
   Other working capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    (162)       (62)
                                                      ------     ------
     Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $  (227)   $    10
                                                      ======     ======
</TABLE>
     Interest  paid during the nine-month periods ended September 30, 1997
and 1996 was $509 million and $542 million, respectively.

     Income  taxes  paid during the nine-month periods ended September 30,
1997 and 1996 were $709 million and $648 million, respectively.

                                   - 13 -
<PAGE>

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED

NOTE M.  Gain on Sale of Lyondell Stock.

     On  September 15, 1997,  ARCO used shares of Lyondell common stock  to
redeem  its 9% Exchangeable Notes with an outstanding principal  amount  of
$988  million.   On September 25, 1997, ARCO agreed to sell  its  remaining
383,000   shares  of  Lyondell  common  stock  in  a  privately  negotiated
transaction.   ARCO realized an aggregate pre-tax gain of $633  million  or
approximately $291 million after-tax on the two transactions.


NOTE N.  Other Commitments and Contingencies.

     ARCO  has  commitments, including  those related to  the  acquisition,
construction  and development of facilities, all made in the normal  course
of business.

     Following  the  March  1989 EXXON VALDEZ oil spill, numerous  lawsuits
seeking compensatory and punitive damages and injunctions were filed by the
state  of  Alaska, the United States and private plaintiffs against  Exxon,
Alyeska  Pipeline Service Company ("Alyeska") and Alyeska's owner companies
(including  ARCO,  which owns approximately 22%).  Alyeska  and  its  owner
companies  have  settled  the  civil damage claims  by  federal  and  state
governments  and  the  lawsuits  by  private  plaintiffs.   Certain  issues
relating to the liability for the spill remain unresolved between the Exxon
companies, on the one hand, and Alyeska and its owner companies.

     ARCO  and  former  producers  of  lead pigments  have  been  named  as
defendants  in cases filed by a municipal housing authority, two  purported
classes and several individuals seeking damages and injunctive relief as  a
consequence  of the presence of lead-based paint in certain housing  units.
ARCO  is  also  the  subject of or party to a number of  other  pending  or
threatened legal actions.

     The  State  of  Montana is seeking recovery from ARCO of $764  million
based on alleged injuries to natural resources resulting from ARCO's mining
and  mineral  processing businesses formerly operated by  Anaconda,  ARCO's
predecessor in Montana.  ARCO is contesting this demand.

     ARCO is subject to other loss contingencies pursuant to federal, state
and  local  environmental  laws and regulations.   These  include  possible
obligations  to  remove or mitigate the effects on the environment  of  the
disposal  or release of certain chemical, mineral and petroleum  substances
at various sites, including the restoration of natural resources located at
these  sites  and  damages  for loss of use and non-use  values.   ARCO  is
currently  participating in environmental assessments  and  cleanups  under
these  laws at federal Superfund and state-managed sites, as well as  other
clean-up  sites.   ARCO  may  in  the  future  be  involved  in  additional
environmental  assessments and cleanups.  The amount of such  future  costs
will  depend  on  such  factors  as  the  unknown  nature  and  extent   of
contamination,  the  unknown  timing, extent and  method  of  the  remedial
actions which may be required and the determination of ARCO's liability  in
proportion  to other responsible parties.  In addition, environmental  loss
contingencies  include  claims for personal injuries  allegedly  caused  by
exposure to toxic materials manufactured or used by ARCO.

                                  - 14 -
<PAGE>

          NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED

NOTE N.  Other Commitments and Contingencies (continued).

     ARCO  continues  to estimate the amount of these costs in periodically
establishing  reserves based on progress made in determining the  magnitude
of remediation costs, experience gained from sites on which remediation has
been  completed, the timing and extent of remedial actions required by  the
applicable  governmental authorities and an evaluation  of  the  amount  of
ARCO's  liability  considered  in  light of  the  liability  and  financial
wherewithal of the other responsible parties.  At September 30,  1997,  the
environmental remediation and environmental loss contingencies accrual  was
$787  million.  As  the  scope  of ARCO's obligations  becomes more clearly
defined, there  may  be  changes  in  these estimated  costs,  which  might
result in future  charges  against  ARCO's earnings.

     ARCO's  environmental remediation accrual covers federal Superfund and
state-managed  sites  as  well  as  other clean-up sites, including service
stations, refineries, terminals, chemical facilities, third-party landfills,
former  nuclear processing facilities, sites associated  with  discontinued
operations  and  sites  formerly  owned  by  ARCO.  ARCO  has  been named a
potentially responsible party ("PRP") for 117  sites.  The  number  of  PRP
sites  in and of itself is not a relevant measure of liability, because the
nature and extent of environmental concerns varies by site and ARCO's share
of  responsibility  varies  from   sole   responsibility  to   very  little
responsibility.  ARCO  reviews all of the PRP sites, along with other sites
as  to  which no claims have been asserted, in estimating the amount of the
accrual.  ARCO's  future costs for remediation at these  sites could exceed
the amount accrued by as much as $600 million.

     Approximately  55%  of  the reserve related to sites  associated  with
ARCO's  discontinued operations, primarily mining activities in the  states
of  Montana, Utah and New Mexico.  Another significant component related to
currently and formerly owned chemical, nuclear processing, and refining and
marketing  facilities,  and other sites which received  wastes  from  these
facilities.   The  remainder related to other sites with  reserves  ranging
from  $1 million to $10 million per site.  No one site represents more than
10%  of  the total reserve.  Substantially all amounts accrued are expected
to be paid out over the next five to six years.

     Claims  for recovery of remediation costs already incurred and  to  be
incurred  in the future have been filed against various insurance companies
and other third parties.  Many of these claims have been resolved. ARCO has
neither  recorded  any asset nor reduced any liability in  connection  with
unresolved claims.

     Although  any  ultimate  liability arising from  any  of  the  matters
described herein could result in significant expenses or judgments that, if
aggregated  and  assumed to occur within a single fiscal period,  would  be
material to ARCO's results of operations, the likelihood of such occurrence
is  considered remote.  On the basis of management's best assessment of the
ultimate amount and timing of these events, such expenses or judgments  are
not  expected  to  have  a material adverse effect on  ARCO's  consolidated
financial statements.

     The operations and consolidated financial position of ARCO continue to
be  affected  from time to time in varying degrees by domestic and  foreign
political  developments as well as legislation, regulations and  litigation
pertaining  to  restrictions  on  production,  imports  and  exports,   tax
increases,  environmental regulations, cancellation of contract rights  and
expropriation  of  property.  Both the likelihood of such  occurrences  and
their overall effect on ARCO vary greatly and are not predictable.

     These  uncertainties are part of a number of items that ARCO has taken
and  will  continue  to  take  into account  in  periodically  establishing
reserves.

                                  - 15 -
<PAGE>

                  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
               FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                                     
Third Quarter 1997 vs. Third Quarter 1996

Consolidated Earnings

     Excluding  a  net after-tax benefit of $85 million for special  items,
net  income declined $48 million in the third quarter of 1997, compared  to
net  income of $479 million in the third quarter 1996. The earnings decline
primarily reflected lower crude oil prices, foreign exchange-related  costs
associated  with  ARCO  Chemical Company ("ARCO Chemical")  operations  and
lower  coal sales volumes and prices.  Partially offsetting these  declines
were  higher earnings from ARCO's equity interest in Lyondell Petrochemical
Company ("Lyondell") and lower interest expense.

     The  special  item benefits in the third quarter of 1997  included  an
after-tax  gain  of approximately $290 million from the  settlement  of  9%
Notes  due  September 15, 1997, with Lyondell common stock, in addition  to
tax-related adjustments.  The benefits were partially offset by charges for
restructuring  and other actions at ARCO Chemical of  $95  million, net  of
tax and minority interest, and charges of approximately $140 million  after
tax for future environmental remediation and reclamation  related  to  both
current operations and to natural resource damage liabilities in  the state
of Montana associated with previously discontinued mining operations.


Upstream Earnings
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Millions  (after tax)                            1997     1996
          <S>                                              <C>      <C>
          Exploration and Production . . . . . . . . . .   $288     $302
          Coal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $  6     $ 22
</TABLE>

Exploration and Production operations

     Excluding  net  after-tax  benefits of $22 million for  special  items
related  to  a  United Kingdom tax rate change and a gain  on  asset  sale,
partially  offset by a leasehold writedown, ARCO's earnings from  worldwide
oil  and  gas exploration and production operations declined by $36 million
in  1997.   The earnings decline resulted from lower crude oil  prices  and
higher depreciation expense associated with increased production, partially
offset by growth in international natural gas volumes.


Average Oil and Gas Prices
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             1997     1996
                                                             ----     ----
          <S>                                               <C>      <C>
          U.S.
            Petroleum liquids - per barrel (bbl)
              Alaska . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $13.26   $15.03
              Lower 48, including Vastar . . . . . . . . .  $15.77   $17.20
              Composite average price. . . . . . . . . . .  $14.10   $15.73
            Natural gas - per thousand cubic feet (mcf). .  $ 1.87   $ 1.71

          International
            Petroleum liquids - per bbl. . . . . . . . . .  $17.30   $18.32
            Natural gas - per mcf. . . . . . . . . . . . .  $ 2.51   $ 2.52
</TABLE>
                                      - 16 -
<PAGE>

Petroleum Liquids and Natural Gas Production
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Net Production                                   1997       1996
                                                         ----       ---- 
        <S>                                           <C>        <C>
        U.S.
          Petroleum liquids - bbl/day. . . . . . . .    539,600    553,200
          Natural gas - mcf/day. . . . . . . . . . .  1,066,700  1,032,900
          Barrels of oil equivalent (BOE)/day* . . .    717,400    725,300

        International
          Petroleum liquids - bbl/day. . . . . . . .     78,500     72,700
          Natural gas - mcf/day. . . . . . . . . . .    760,200    637,100
          BOE/day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    205,200    178,900

          Total net production BOE/day . . . . . . .    922,600    904,200
          __________
          * Natural gas converted at the ratio of 6 mcf to 1 barrel of liquid.
</TABLE>

     The  reduction in U.S. petroleum liquids production primarily resulted
from  natural field decline in the Prudhoe Bay field in Alaska.   Increased
international  petroleum liquids production reflected new  production  from
interests  in  the  Ashtart (Tunisia), Tengiz (Kazakhstan)  and  Al  Rayyan
(Qatar)  fields  along with increased contributions  from  the  Rhourde  El
Baguel  field in Algeria, partially offset by a decline in volumes received
under Indonesian production sharing contracts.

     International  natural  gas volumes increased 19% in  the  1997  third
quarter,  compared  to  the  same  period  in  1996,  reflecting  increased
production  from Yacheng 13, ARCO's South China Sea natural gas  field  and
from  the  United  Kingdom  North  Sea.  The  Yacheng  13  field  increased
production  by  approximately 95 million cubic feet per  day  and  the  net
increase  in North Sea production was approximately 20 million  cubic  feet
per day.


Coal Operations

     The  earnings  decline  in  1997  primarily   reflected  decreases  in
Australian  and U.S. volumes and lower average U.S. and Australian  prices,
partially offset by lower operating and depreciation expense resulting from
the reduced production volumes.  In the U.S., the lower volumes were due to
Union  Pacific shipping delays that will carry over into the fourth quarter
and  some  difficult  geological conditions  at  our  West  Elk  mine.   In
Australia, the lower volumes were due to labor disputes at two of our mines
that will carry over into the fourth quarter.

     In  April  1997,  ARCO announced it is evaluating a likely  withdrawal
from  its  worldwide coal business through the disposition of  coal  mining
operations  in the United States and Australia because they are  no  longer
considered  part of the Company's core business.  The method of disposition
is currently under study.


Downstream Earnings
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Millions (after tax)                             1997     1996
          <S>                                              <C>      <C>
          Refining and marketing. . . . . . . . . . . . .  $134     $138
          Chemicals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $(23)    $ 87
</TABLE>
                                   - 17 -

<PAGE>

Refining and Marketing Operations

     The  1997  earnings  were essentially flat compared to the near-record
earnings  in  the  third  quarter of 1996.   Lower  margins  in  1997  were
substantially  offset by increased sales volumes. The  integration  of  the
newly-leased  Thrifty Oil Co. gas stations contributed to  an  increase  in
gasoline  sales volumes of 10%.  The 1997 volume decrease in other products
reflected  increased  1996 sales of intermediate product  as  a  result  of
turnarounds in that year.  The 1997 volume decrease in jet fuel reflected a
decision by ARCO to reduce jet fuel sales in the San Francisco area,  while
increasing sales in the Pacific northwest.


West Coast Petroleum Products Sales
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           Volumes (Barrels/day)                            1997      1996
                                                            ----      ----
           <S>                                            <C>       <C>
           Gasoline. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  298,800   271,900
           Jet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  118,400   131,000
           Distillate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   76,100    69,900
           Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   79,300    97,500
                                                          -------   -------
           Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  572,600   570,300
                                                          =======   =======  
</TABLE>
Chemicals

     ARCO's  82.4% interest in ARCO Chemical Company reflected an after-tax
loss  of  $23 million, including a $95 million after tax charge  for  costs
related  to  a  restructuring program and other  ARCO  Chemical  management
actions.   Excluding  the special items charges, ARCO's  interest  in  ARCO
Chemical  contributed earnings of $72 million in the  1997  third  quarter,
compared  to  $87  million after tax in the 1996 third quarter.   The  1997
earnings  decline  primarily  represented  foreign  exchange-related  costs
associated with changes in ARCO Chemical's foreign exchange hedging program
during  1997 and unrealized foreign exchange losses as a result  of  weaker
Asian currencies.


Equity Affiliate

     ARCO  earned  $43 million from its 49.9% equity interest  in  Lyondell
that  it  held  until  September  15, 1997.   Following  the  September  15
settlement of ARCO's 9% Exchangeable Notes with Lyondell common  stock  and
the  private  sale of ARCO's remaining Lyondell shares in  late  September,
ARCO  no  longer holds any interest in Lyondell.  In the third  quarter  of
1996  ARCO  earned $18 million from its equity interest in  Lyondell.   The
increased  earnings in 1997 resulted primarily from stronger petrochemicals
margins  and  improved  results for LYONDELL-CITGO  Refining  Company  Ltd.
("LCR").  LCR's improved  performance resulted from  the  completion  of  a
refinery  upgrade project in February 1997 which provided higher processing
capability for very heavy crude oil.


Consolidated Revenues
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Millions                                            1997     1996
                                                             ----     ----
         <S>                                                <C>      <C>
         Sales and other operating revenues
           Upstream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $2,279   $2,433
           Downstream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    2,834    2,951
           Intersegment eliminations. . . . . . . . . . .     (560)    (636)
                                                             -----    -----
             Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $4,553   $4,748
                                                             =====    =====
</TABLE>
                                    - 18 -
<PAGE>

     In  1997,  upstream  sales  and  other  operating  revenues  reflected
decreased  natural gas marketing activity and lower coal sales volumes  and
prices,  partially  offset by increased natural gas volumes.   Natural  gas
marketing sales volumes decreased to 2.6 billion cubic feet per day in  the
1997  third quarter, from 3.2 billion cubic feet per day in the 1996  third
quarter.   Effective September 1, 1997, Vastar contributed certain  of  its
natural gas marketing operations to Southern Company Energy Marketing  L.P.
("SCEM").   As  a result of the transfer of those operations to  SCEM,  the
natural  gas  marketing sales and purchases volumes for the  third  quarter
1997  were  lower compared to the same period in 1996.  It  is  anticipated
that  the  natural gas marketing activity from this point forward  will  be
reduced relative to periods prior to the transfer.

     Downstream  sales  and  other operating revenues  primarily  decreased
because  of  lower refined and chemical products prices and the  expiration
near  the end of 1996 of a crude-oil-for-refined-product exchange agreement
with Tosco, partially offset by higher refined products volumes.

     The  increase  in  1997  other revenues primarily  reflected  the  $25
million earnings increase from ARCO's equity interest in Lyondell and gains
on sales of fixed assets, partially offset by decreased interest income.

Consolidated Expenses

     Trade  purchases were lower primarily as a result of decreased natural
gas  marketing activity.  Natural gas marketing purchase volumes  decreased
to  1.8  billion  cubic feet per day in the 1997 third  quarter,  from  2.4
billion cubic feet per day in the 1996 third quarter.

     Operating  expenses  were  higher in 1997 primarily  as  a  result  of
charges for environmental remediation and reclamation.

     Selling, general  and administrative expenses were higher in 1997 as a
result  of rental and other expenses associated with the operation  of  the
new Thrifty gasoline stations, improvements made at other retailing outlets
not capitalized and increased insurance.

     The  lower  interest expense reflected the reduced level of  long-term
debt in the third quarter of 1997, compared to the same period in 1996.

     The  unusual item in the third quarter of 1997 represented the before-
tax   charges  for  the  ARCO  Chemical  restructuring  program,  including
personnel-related costs and costs related to exit activities,  as  well  as
charges  for asset valuation write downs and liabilities related to certain
assets.   The  restructuring  efforts at  ARCO  Chemical  are  expected  to
continue through the end of 1998, with the cost reductions substantially in
place by the end of 1998.


Gain on Sale of Lyondell Stock

     In  September  1997, all of ARCO's 9% Exchangeable Notes due September
15,  1997 with an outstanding principal amount of $988 million were settled
with  Lyondell  common stock owned by ARCO.  ARCO then sold  its  remaining
Lyondell  shares  in a privately negotiated transaction in late  September.
ARCO  realized  an aggregate pre-tax gain of $633 million, or approximately
$291 million after tax, on the two transactions.

                                - 19 -
<PAGE>

Income Taxes

     The  Company's effective tax rate was 41.6% in the 1997 third quarter,
compared to 36.3% in the 1996 third quarter.  The higher effective tax rate
in  1997  primarily reflected taxes associated with the gain recognized  on
the  settlement  of the 9% exchangeable Notes with Lyondell  common  stock,
partially  offset by the elimination of deferred taxes which were  provided
in  a  prior  year for a capital stock transaction and an increase  in  the
dividends  received tax deduction.  Elimination of the  deferred  taxes  is
expected  to continue in future periods.  The remaining amount of  deferred
taxes  that  may  be  eliminated in future periods  is  approximately  $126
million.



Nine-Month Period Ended September 30, 1997 vs. Same Nine-Month Period 1996


Consolidated Earnings

     The  earnings  increase  in the first nine months  of  1997  primarily
reflected higher crude oil and natural gas prices and natural gas  volumes,
higher  refined products volumes and increased earnings from ARCO's  equity
interest  in Lyondell.  These combined improvements more than offset  lower
refining and marketing and ARCO Chemical margins.

     The  first  nine months of 1997 included an extraordinary loss of $118
million after tax related to early retirement of debt.  The impact  of  the
extraordinary  loss was offset by the reversal of reserves  for  taxes  and
related  interest which resulted primarily from the partial  resolution  of
certain  federal and state income tax audits.  In addition, the first  nine
months  of 1997 included a net special benefit of $85 million in  the  1997
third quarter.


Consolidated Revenues
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Millions                                            1997     1996
                                                              ----     ----
          <S>                                               <C>      <C>
          Sales and other operating revenues
            Upstream. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 7,887  $ 7,035
            Downstream. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     8,243    8,346
            Intersegment eliminations . . . . . . . . . .    (1,946)  (1,918)
                                                             ------   ------
             Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $14,184  $13,463
                                                             ======   ======
</TABLE>
     For  the  first nine months of 1997 upstream sales and other operating
revenues reflected increased natural gas marketing activity, higher natural
gas  and  crude oil prices and natural gas volumes.  Natural gas  marketing
sales volumes increased to 3.0 billion cubic feet per day in the first nine
months  of 1997, up from 2.7 billion cubic feet per day in the same  period
in 1996.

     For the first nine months of 1997 downstream sales and other operating
revenues decreased as higher refined products volumes were offset by  lower
refined products prices.

                                    - 20 -
<PAGE>

Consolidated Expenses

     Trade  purchases  for the nine months ended September  30,  1997  were
higher  primarily  as a result of increased natural gas marketing  activity
and  higher  crude  oil  and  natural gas prices.   Natural  gas  marketing
purchase  volumes increased to 2.2 billion cubic feet per day in the  first
nine  months of 1997, up from 1.9 billion cubic feet per day in  the  first
nine months of 1996.

     Operating  expenses for the first nine months of 1997 reflected  third
quarter  1997  charges of approximately $140 million after tax  for  future
environmental   remediation  and  reclamation  related  to   both   current
operations  and  to natural resource damage liabilities  in  the  state  of
Montana  associated  with previously discontinued  mining  operations.   In
addition,  higher operating costs included charges for future environmental
remediation  related to the adoption of a new accounting  standard  in  the
first  quarter  1997,  and  higher lease operating  costs  associated  with
increased  production from the Rhourde El Baguel in Algeria and  other  new
field  production  and scheduled plant turnaround maintenance  expenses  at
ARCO Chemical.

     For the first nine months ended September 30, 1997, the lower interest
expense  reflected the reversal of reserves for tax-related interest  which
resulted  from the partial resolution of certain federal and  state  income
tax audits.

     The  unusual  item  for the first nine months of 1997 represented  the
before-tax  charges for the ARCO Chemical restructuring program  and  other
ARCO  Chemical  management actions.  The unusual item for  the  first  nine
months  of  1996 related to final charges for previously reported personnel
reductions.


Income Taxes

     The  Company's  effective tax rate was 35.4% for the first nine months
of 1997, compared to 36.0% for the same period in 1996. The lower effective
tax  rate  in  1997 primarily reflected the elimination of  deferred  taxes
which  were  provided  in  a prior year associated  with  a  capital  stock
transaction  but  which  are no longer required  and  an  increase  in  the
dividends  received tax deduction. Partially offsetting those  lower  taxes
were taxes associated with the gain recognized on the settlement of the  9%
exchangeable Notes with Lyondell common stock.


Average Oil and Gas Prices
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Nine Months Ended
                                                           September 30,
                                                         -----------------
                                                          1997       1996
                                                          ----       ----
          <S>                                            <C>        <C>
          U.S.
            Petroleum liquids - per bbl
              Alaska  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  $15.36     $14.67
              Lower 48, including Vastar. . . . . . . .  $17.03     $17.09
              Composite average price . . . . . . . . .  $15.90     $15.41
            Natural gas - per mcf . . . . . . . . . . .  $ 1.97     $ 1.65

          International
            Petroleum liquids - per bbl . . . . . . . .  $18.36     $17.79
            Natural gas - per mcf . . . . . . . . . . .  $ 2.64     $ 2.53
</TABLE>
                                       - 21 -
<PAGE>

Petroleum Liquids and Natural Gas Production
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
        Net Production                                   1997       1996
                                                         ----       ----
        <S>                                           <C>        <C>
        U.S.
          Petroleum liquids - bbl/day. . . . . . . .    556,000    563,900
          Natural gas - mcf/day. . . . . . . . . . .  1,058,700  1,043,900
          Barrels of oil equivalent (BOE)/day* . . .    732,400    737,900

        International
          Petroleum liquids - bbl/day. . . . . . . .     74,500     66,200
          Natural gas - mcf/day. . . . . . . . . . .    830,800    693,300
          BOE/day. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    213,000    181,700

          Total net production BOE/day . . . . . . .    945,400    919,600
          __________
          * Natural gas converted at the ratio of 6 mcf to 1 barrel of liquid.
</TABLE>

Liquidity and Capital Resources
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          Millions                                                 1997
                                                                   ----
          <S>                                                    <C>
          Cash flow provided (used) by:
          Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $ 2,448
          Investing activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $(1,633)
          Financing activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $(1,597)
</TABLE>

     The net cash used by investing activities in the first nine months of
1997  primarily  included expenditures for additions  to  fixed  assets  of
$1,974 million, partially offset by a reduction in short-term investments.

     The  net cash used in financing activities in the first nine months of
1997  primarily  included repayments of long-term debt of  $1,684  million,
dividend  payments  of $680 million, and treasury stock purchases  of  $205
million.  These uses were partially offset by proceeds of $267 million from
the  issuance  of  long-term debt and an increase of $701  million  in  the
Company's short-term debt position.

     The  Company  used approximately $800 million in cash in July 1997  to
settle early retirements of debt contracted in the second quarter of  1997.
Also  in  July  the  Company used approximately $250 million  in  cash  for
redemption of its 10.25% Eurobonds which were due in 2000.

     Cash  and  cash  equivalents  and short-term investments  totaled  $.9
billion,  short-term borrowings were $1.8 billion and  long-term  debt  due
within one year was $.2 billion at the end of the third quarter of 1997.

     Primarily  as a result of the long-term debt redemptions in  July  and
the  increased  use of short-term borrowing, the Company is  in  a  working
capital  deficit position of approximately $1.1 billion at the end  of  the
third  quarter  of 1997.  It is expected that future cash requirements  for
working  capital, capital expenditures, dividends and debt repayments  will
come from cash generated from operating activities, existing cash balances,
and future financings.

     In  September  1997, ARCO surrendered substantially all  of  its  39.9
million shares of Lyondell common stock in full payment of the $988 million
principal amount of 9% Exchangeable Notes due September 15, 1997.

                                   - 22 -
<PAGE>

     Effective  June  13, 1997  ARCO had a 2-for-1 stock  split  and  a  4%
increase in the quarterly dividend.


Statements of Financial Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

     In  February  1997, the  Financial Accounting Standards  Board  issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards("SFAS") No. 128, "Earnings  Per
Share."  SFAS No. 128 requires companies to adopt its provisions for fiscal
years  ending after December 15, 1997 and requires restatement of all prior
period  earnings per share ("EPS") data presented.  Earlier application  is
not  permitted.   SFAS No. 128 specifies the computation, presentation  and
disclosure requirements for EPS. The implementation of SFAS No. 128 is  not
expected  to  have  a  material effect on the EPS  data  presented  by  the
Company.  See Note J of notes to the consolidated financial statements.

                      _______________________________


     Management  cautions  against projecting any future results  based  on
present  earnings levels because of economic uncertainties, the extent  and
form  of  existing  or future governmental regulations and  other  possible
actions by governments.

                                   - 23 -

<PAGE>

                        PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.

     1.  Reference  is  made to the disclosure on page 14 of the  Company's
Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  for  the  year  ended  December  31,   1996
(hereinafter,  the  "1996 Form 10-K Report") regarding  Atlantic  Richfield
Company  v. AETNA Casualty and Surety Company of America, et al. (Case  No.
BC  015575).   ARCO  expects that a trial against the remaining  defendants
will begin in early 1998.

     2.  Reference is made to the disclosure on pages 15 and 16 of the 1996
Form  10-K  Report, page 19 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form  10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 1997 (the "First Quarter Form 10-Q Report")
and  page 24 of the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended  June 30, 1997 (the "Second Quarter Form 10-Q Report") regarding  the
case  of  Aguilar, et al. v. Atlantic Richfield, et al. (Case No.  700810).
On  October  17,  1997, the court granted defendants'  motion  for  summary
judgment.

     3.  Reference is made to the disclosure on page 16 of the 1996 Form 10-
K  Report  and page 19 of the First Quarter Form 10-Q Report regarding  the
site  of  the  Beaver  Valley plant formerly owned by  ARCO  Chemical.   In
October  17,  1997,  ARCO  Chemical  and  the  Pennsylvania  Department  of
Environmental  Protection ("PADEP") entered into a second consent agreement
that acknowledged the completion of remedial investigations pursuant to the
1994  work plan and conditionally approved the proposed remediation methods
at  the  Beaver Valley site.  Final approval of the remediation methods  is
subject  to PADEP's approval of risk assessment studies to be submitted  by
ARCO  Chemical.  Under the second consent agreement, the monetary penalties
contained  in  the  1994 consent agreement will be  imposed  only  if  ARCO
Chemical  fails  to meet the deadlines for submitting the  risk  assessment
studies  to  PADEP.   Following the 1996 sale of the  Beaver  Valley  plant
assets to NOVA Chemicals Inc. ("NOVA"), NOVA agreed to assume ownership  of
the leased portions of the Beaver Valley land after ARCO Chemical finalized
the second consent agreement.  The process of transferring the land to NOVA
has begun.  ARCO Chemical will retain responsibility for the remediation of
the land as required by the second consent agreement.

     4.  Reference is made to the disclosure on pages 16 and 17 of the 1996
Form  10-K  Report  regarding  Vastar's  submission  to  the  Environmental
Protection  Agency  ("EPA") under the EPA's "Voluntary Environmental  Self-
Policing  and Self-Disclosure Interim Policy Statement."  On September  17,
1997,  in  connection with a settlement which Vastar reached with the  EPA,
Vastar  received  an Order from the United States District  Court  for  the
District  of  Colorado terminating the Consent Decree with respect  to  the
matters  and  dismissing with prejudice the claims  by  the  United  States
against  Vastar.   Under the terms of the settlement,  Vastar  has  paid  a
$137,949 civil penalty  This amount represents Vastar's economic benefit of
noncompliance, as the settlement reflected Vastar's avoidance  of  punitive
penalties  under the Interim Policy Statement.  This represents  the  final
resolution of the matter.

     5.  Reference  is  made  to the disclosure on page 24  of  the  Second
Quarter  Form  10-Q Report regarding Siemens Solar Industries  v.  Atlantic
Richfield Company (Case No. 94-109092).  The court vacated the September 3,
1997 trial date and no new trial date has been set.

     6.  Reference  is  made  to the disclosure on page 24  of  the  Second
Quarter  Form 10-Q Report regarding a crude oil spill on July 29, 1996.   A
settlement  has  been reached.  The criminal complaint was  dismissed.   An
order  for  civil  compromise was entered by the  court.   ARCO  Pipe  Line
Company  paid  $57,000 to the California Department of  Fish  and  Game  as
reimbursement  for  response  costs; and $183,000  to  the  Long  Beach/Los
Angeles  County Natural Resources Trust of which a minimum  of  $60,000  of
this sum is to be used for mitigation.

                                    - 24 -

<PAGE>

     7.  On  April 13, 1995, a  lawsuit was filed in United States District
Court  for the Central District of California titled ARCO, et al. v. UNOCAL
(Case  No.  95-2379-KMW-JRx).   ARCO  and  five  other  refiners  sought  a
declaration that UNOCAL's U.S. Patent No. 5,288,393 ("the `393 patent")  is
invalid and unenforceable.  The `393 patent purports to cover a substantial
portion of the reformulated gasoline compositions that were required by the
State  of  California when the Phase II regulations of the  California  Air
Resources  Board  ("CARB") went into effect in March  1996.   In  the  same
lawsuit,  UNOCAL filed a claim for infringement of the `393 patent  against
ARCO  and  the five other refiners.  On July 15, 1997, the first  phase  of
trial  commenced and on October 14, 1997, the jury found in UNOCAL's  favor
on the issues of whether ARCO and the other refiners had infringed the `393
patent and whether that patent is valid.  The jury also found that ARCO had
produced  approximately 149 million gallons of infringing  gasoline  during
the  first five months of production.  On November 3, 1997, the jury  found
that  each  refiner  owed UNOCAL $.0575 for each gallon of  gasoline  which
infringed  on  UNOCAL's patent.  The court has instructed  the  parties  to
establish a method for updating, through the date of judgment, the  volumes
of  infringing  gallons.   The remaining phase of the  trial,  "inequitable
conduct,"  will  be  heard without a jury beginning on  December  2,  1997.
Final judgment is expected to be entered in 1998.

     8.   In  1993,  natural gas royalty owners filed an action  in  Zapata
County, Texas titled Stanley Marshall, et al. v. ARCO (Case No. 3217).  The
plaintiffs  claimed  breach of lease, breach of Texas  Railroad  Commission
rules and regulations, conversion, and fraud.  On September 8, 1997, a jury
found  in  favor  of  the plaintiffs, awarding $67.3  million  in  damages,
comprised  of  $3.8  million in actual damages, $50  million  in  exemplary
damages, and $13.5 million in attorneys' fees.  The court has not entered a
judgment.   ARCO intends to challenge the jury verdict through  motions  in
the trial court and, if a judgment is entered on that verdict, on appeal.

     9.   Reference  is  made to the Company's 1996 Form  10-K  Report  for
information on other legal proceedings matters reported herein.


Item 5.  Other Information.

     Stockholder  proposals for the 1998 Annual Meeting must be received by
November  17,  1997, to be considered for inclusion in the  Company's  1998
proxy  statement.   Such  proposals should be addressed  to  the  Corporate
Secretary.  Under the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, notice of any
stockholder  nomination for director must be given by mail or  by  personal
delivery  to the Corporate Secretary no later than 120 days in  advance  of
the  annual meeting, or by January 5, 1998 assuming the annual meeting  for
1998  will  be  held May 4, 1998; stockholders wishing to make  nominations
should  contact  the Corporate Secretary as to information required  to  be
supplied in such notice.


Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

     (a) Exhibits.

         27  Financial Data Schedule.

     (b) Reports on Form 8-K

         The  following Current Reports on Form 8-K were filed  during  the
     quarter ended September 30, 1997 and through the date hereof.

          Date of Report          Item No.          Financial Statements
          --------------          --------          -------------------- 
         September 15, 1997           5                     None

                                    - 25 -
<PAGE>

                                 SIGNATURE

     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 thereunto duly authorized.

                                               ATLANTIC RICHFIELD COMPANY
                                                       (Registrant)

                                                  /s/ ALLAN L. COMSTOCK
Dated:  November 10, 1997                      _____________________________
                                                        (signature)
                                                    Allan L. Comstock
                                               Vice President and Controller
                                               (Duly Authorized Officer and
                                               Principal Accounting Officer)

                                     - 26 -


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>      5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Consolidated Statement of Income and the Consolidated Balance Sheet and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>   1,000,000
       
<S>                             <C>        <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                         $   665
<SECURITIES>                                       230
<RECEIVABLES>                                    1,511
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      1,065
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 3,799
<PP&E>                                          36,120
<DEPRECIATION>                                  19,468
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  25,223
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            4,917
<BONDS>                                          4,336
                                0
                                          1
<COMMON>                                           807
<OTHER-SE>                                       7,897
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    25,223
<SALES>                                         14,184
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                14,695
<CGS>                                           11,316
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                   11,645
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                   175
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                 307
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  2,400
<INCOME-TAX>                                       849
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              1,507
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                    118
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     1,389
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    $4.23
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    $4.23
        

</TABLE>


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