FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                      97-104
                                                   Press Contact:
                                    John J. Nester (202) 942-7083
                                                                 
                                                                 
           FREE LUNCHTIME INVESTMENT SEMINARS OFFERED
                                
 SEC Chairman Arthur Levitt, Iowa officials hold Investors' Town
                  Meeting Friday in Des Moines
                                
     Washington, D.C.,  November 18, 1997 -- Investors who can't
get Friday morning off from work to attend the entire Des Moines
Investors' Town Meeting can still learn about investing during
their lunch hour by attending one of eight free investment
seminars offered by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
and industry experts.

     There will be four different seminars to choose from at
noon, followed by another four at
1:00 p.m.  The 45-minute seminars will cover a broad range of
investment topics including mutual funds, financial planning,
choosing a broker and tips for successful investing.

     Earlier Friday, SEC Chairman Arthur Levitt will conduct a
two-hour open forum to offer tips on how to make informed
investment decisions and avoid costly mistakes.  Levitt will also
point out the questions people should ask before they invest.
"The most important investment lesson I can convey to you,"
Levitt often tells investors, "comes down to two simple words:
Ask Questions."

     The Des Moines Investor's Town Meeting is the 21st of a
national series to promote public understanding of the securities
markets.  The Des Moines forum, the first in Iowa, will also
feature U.S. Congressman Greg Ganske and the Superintendent of
the Iowa Securities Bureau, Craig Goettsch.

     The Investors' Town Meeting will start at 9:30 a.m.,
followed by the investment seminars.  All sessions are free and
open to the public, and will take place at the Embassy Suites
Hotel at 101 E. Locust Street.  Registration will begin at 8:30
a.m.  For more information, or to make reservations to attend the
free educational event, call 1-800 418-3055.

                                
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