Registration No. 333-     
                                                                           

                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                       FORM S-3
                                REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                        UNDER
                              THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

                              Appalachian Power Company
                (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

          Virginia                                               54-0124790
          (State or other jurisdiction                     (I.R.S. Employer
          of incorporation or organization)             Identification No.)

          40 Franklin Road, S.W.
          Roanoke, Virginia                                           24011
          (Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip Code)

           Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 540-985-2300

                              ARMANDO A. PENA, Treasurer
                     AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER SERVICE CORPORATION
                                  1 Riverside Plaza
                                 Columbus, Ohio 43215
                                     614-223-2850
              (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

             It is respectfully requested that the Commission send copies
                    of all notices, orders and communications to:

          Simpson Thacher & Bartlett         Dewey Ballantine LLP
          425 Lexington Avenue               1301 Avenue of the Americas
          New York, NY 10017-3909            New York, NY 10019-6092
          Attention: James M. Cotter         Attention: E. N. Ellis, IV


          Approximate date of  commencement of proposed sale to the public:
          At such time or  times after the effective date of  the Registra-
          tion Statement as the registrant shall determine.


               If  the only  securities being  registered on this  Form are
          being  offered  pursuant  to  dividend  or  interest reinvestment
          plans, please check the following box.  [ ]
               If any  of the securities being registered  on this Form are
          to be offered  on a delayed or continuous basis  pursuant to Rule
          415  under  the Securities  Act  of 1933,  other  than securities
          offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment
          plans, please check the following box.  [ ]
               If this Form is filed to  register additional securities for
          an offering  pursuant to Rule  462(b) under  the Securities  Act,
          please  check  the following  box  and  list  the Securities  Act
          registration   statement  number   of   the   earlier   effective
          registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]
               If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to
          Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and
          list  the Securities  Act  registration statement  number of  the
          earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  
          [ ]
               If  delivery  of  the  prospectus  is  expected  to be  made
          pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box.  [ ]

                           CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE


            Title of                   Proposed     Proposed
         Each Class of                  Maximum     Maximum
           Securities      Amount      Offering    Aggregate     Amount of
             to be          to be        Price      Offering    Registration
           Registered    Registered    Per Unit*     Price*         Fee


          Senior Notes  $100,000,000     100%     $100,000,000    $29,500

          *Estimated  solely  for purpose  of calculating  the registration
          fee.


               The registrant  hereby amends this registration statement on
          such date or  dates as may  be necessary  to delay its  effective
          date until the  registrant shall file  a further amendment  which
          specifically  states  that   this  registration  statement  shall
          thereafter become  effective in  accordance with Section  8(a) of
          the Securities Act of  1933, or until the  registration statement
          shall become  effective on such  date as  the Commission,  acting
          pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

                                                                           

          INFORMATION  CONTAINED  HEREIN   IS  SUBJECT  TO  COMPLETION   OR
          AMENDMENT.  A REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES
          HAS  BEEN  FILED WITH  THE  SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION.
          THESE  SECURITIES  MAY  NOT BE  SOLD  NOR  MAY OFFERS  TO  BUY BE
          ACCEPTED  PRIOR TO  THE TIME  THE REGISTRATION  STATEMENT BECOMES
          EFFECTIVE.  THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL
          OR  THE SOLICITATION OF  AN OFFER TO  BUY NOR SHALL  THERE BE ANY
          SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER,
          SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD  BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION  OR
          QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH JURISDICTION.

                     SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 9,MARCH 31, 1998



          PROSPECTUS

                                     $100,000,000

                              APPALACHIAN POWER COMPANY
                        ____% Senior Notes, Series A,B, Due 2038

               The  Senior Notes, Series A,B,  Due 2038, will  mature on March
          31,June
          30, 2038  (the "New Senior Notes").   Interest on the  New Senior
          Notes  at the rate  of _____% per annum  is payable quarterly, in
          arrears, on each March 31, June 30, September 30 and  December 31
          (each an "Interest Payment Date"), commencing March  31,June 30, 1998.  The
          New  Senior Notes  will be  redeemable at  100% of  the principal
          amount redeemed plus  accrued interest to the  redemption date at
          the option of the  Company in whole or in part  on or after MarchApril
          __, 2003. The New Senior Notes will be available  for purchase in
          denominations of  $25 and  any integral  multiple  thereof.   See
          "Description of the New Senior Notes" herein.

               The  New   Senior  Notes  will  be   direct,  unsecured  and
          unsubordinated obligations of the Company ranking pari passu with
          all  other   unsecured  and  unsubordinated  obligations  of  the
          Company.  The  New Senior Notes will  be effectively subordinated
          to  all secured debt of the Company, including its first mortgage
          bonds,  aggregating  approximately $1,102,000,000  outstanding at
          December 31, 1997.  The Indenture contains no restrictions on the
          amount of  additional indebtedness  that may  be incurred  by the
          Company.

               The New Senior Notes initially will be represented by one or
          more global Notes (each  a "Global Note") registered in  the name
          of a nominee of  The Depository Trust Company, as  Depository, or
          another depository (such a Note,  so represented, being called  a
          "Book-Entry   Note").    Beneficial  interests  in  Global  Notes
          representing  Book-Entry Notes  will be  shown on,  and transfers
          thereof will be effected only  through, records maintained by the
          Depository's participants.  Book-Entry Notes will not be issuable
          as  certificated  notes   except  under  circumstances  described
          herein.  See "Description  of the New Senior Notes  -- Book-Entry
          Notes" herein.

               Application will be made to have the New Senior Notes listed
          on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE").

          THESE SECURITIES  HAVE NOT  BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED  BY THE
          SECURITIES  AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES
          COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION  OR ANY
          STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED  UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY
          OF  THIS  PROSPECTUS. ANY  REPRESENTATION  TO THE  CONTRARY  IS A
          CRIMINAL OFFENSE.


                            Price to    Underwriting      Proceeds to
                           Public(1)    Discount(2)(4)    Company(3)(4)


           Per New
           Senior Note .    100.000%100.00%        ____%             __.___%
           Total . . . .  $100,000,000    $_,___,___       $___,___,___

          (1)  Plus  accrued interest,  if any, from  the date  of original
               issuance.
          (2)  The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against
               certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under the
               Securities  Act of  1933,  as amended.   See  "Underwriting"
               herein.
          (3)  Before deducting expenses payable  by the Company, estimated
               at $212,500.$200,500.
          (4)  The  Underwriting  Discount will  be  __%  of the  principal
               amount of the New Senior Notes sold to certain institutions.
               Therefore,  to the extent  any such  sales are made  to such
               institutions, the actual total Underwriting Discount will be
               less than, and the actual total Proceeds to the Company will
               be greater than, the amounts shown in the table above.

               The  New   Senior  Notes   are  offered  severally   by  the
          Underwriters,  as   specified  herein,  subject  to  receipt  and
          acceptance by them and subject to their right to reject any order
          in  whole or in part.   It is  expected that delivery  of the New
          Senior  Notes will be  made only  in book-entry form  through the
          facilities of The Depository Trust Company on  or about MarchApril __,
          1998 against payment thereoftherefor in immediately available funds.

          Salomon Smith Barney
               Merrill Lynch & Co.
                    Morgan Stanley Dean Witter
                         PaineWebber Incorporated
                              Prudential Securities Incorporated

               The date of this Prospectus is February__________ __, 1998.



          CERTAIN  PERSONS PARTICIPATING  IN  THIS OFFERING  MAY ENGAGE  IN
          TRANSACTIONS  THAT STABILIZE,  MAINTAIN OR  OTHERWISE AFFECT  THE
          PRICE  OF  THE  NEW  SENIOR NOTES  OFFERED  HEREBY,  INCLUDING BY
          ENTERING STABILIZING  BIDS, PURCHASING NEW SENIOR  NOTES TO COVER
          SYNDICATE  SHORT POSITIONS  AND  IMPOSING PENALTY  BIDS.   FOR  A
          DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING" HEREIN.

               No dealer,  salesperson or other person  has been authorized
          to give  any  information  or  to  make  any  representation  not
          contained in this Prospectus in connection with the offer made by
          this  Prospectus, and,  if  given or  made,  such information  or
          representation must not be relied upon as  having been authorized
          by  the  Company  or  any underwriter,  agent  or  dealer.   This
          Prospectus  does   not  constitute  an   offer  to  sell,   or  a
          solicitation  of an offer  to buy,  by any underwriter,  agent or
          dealer in  any  jurisdiction in  which it  is  unlawful for  such
          underwriter,  agent  or   dealer  to  make   such  an  offer   or
          solicitation.   Neither the delivery  of this Prospectus  nor any
          sale made  thereunder shall, under any  circumstances, create any
          implication that there has  been no change in the affairs  of the
          Company since the date hereof or thereof.

                                AVAILABLE INFORMATION

               The Company is subject  to the informational requirements of
          the  Securities  Exchange Act  of 1934  (the  "1934 Act")  and in
          accordance therewith files reports and other information with the
          Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC").  Such reports and
          other  infor-mation may  be inspected  and copied  at  the public
          reference facilities maintained  by the SEC at  450 Fifth Street,
          N.W., Washington, D.C., 20549;  Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison
          Street, Suite  1400, Chicago, Illinois, 60661; and  7 World Trade
          Center,  13th Floor, New  York, New York  10048.  Copies  of such
          material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
          SEC, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed
          rates.   The  SEC  maintains  a Web  site  at  http://www.sec.gov
          containing  reports, proxy statements  and information statements
          and other  information regarding registrants that file electroni-
          cally  with the  SEC,  including the  Company.   Certain  of  the
          Company's  securities are listed  on the New  York Stock Exchange
          and on  the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, where  reports and other
          information concerning the Company may also be inspected.

                         DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

               The  following documents filed  by the Company  with the SEC
          are incorporated in this Prospectus by reference:

               --   The Company's Annual Report on  Form 10-K for the  year
                    ended December 31, 1996;

               --   The Company's  Quarterly Reports  on Form 10-Q  for the
                    periods  ended  March  31,  1997,  June  30,  1997  and
                    September 30, 1997; and

               --   The  Company's  Current  Report  on  Form   8-K,  dated
                    December 21, 1997.

               All documents subsequently filed  by the Company pursuant to
          Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act  after the date
          of this Prospectus and  prior to the termination of  the offering
          made by this  Prospectus shall  be deemed to  be incorporated  by
          reference  in this  Prospectus and to  be a part  hereof from the
          date of filing of such documents.

               Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed
          to  be incorporated  by reference  herein shall  be deemed  to be
          modified or  superseded for  purposes of  this Prospectus  to the
          extent  that  a  statement  contained  herein  or  in  any  other
          subsequently filed document which is deemed to be incorporated by
          reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement.  Any such
          statement  so modified or superseded  shall not be deemed, except
          as  so modified  or  superseded, to  constitute  a part  of  this
          Prospectus.

               The Company  will provide without  charge to each  person to
          whom a copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, on the written
          or  oral request of any such person, a  copy of any or all of the
          documents  described   above  which  have  been  incorporated  by
          reference  in  this  Prospectus,  other  than  exhibits  to  such
          documents.   Written requests for copies of such documents should
          be addressed to Mr.  G. C. Dean, American Electric  Power Service
          Corporation, 1  Riverside Plaza, Columbus, Ohio  43215 (telephone
          number: 614-223-1000).   The information relating  to the Company
          contained in this Prospectus does not purport to be comprehensive
          and should be read together with the information contained in the
          documents incorporated by reference.

                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                       Page

          Available Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
          Documents Incorporated by Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
          Table of Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
          The Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
          Use of Proceeds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
          Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
          Description of New Senior Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
          Legal Opinions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  14
          Experts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1415
          Underwriting  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15

                                     THE COMPANY

               The  Company  is   engaged  in  the   generation,  purchase,
          transmission and distribution of electric  power to approximately
          877,000  customers  in  southwestern Virginia  and  southern West
          Virginia, and in  supplying electric power at wholesale  to other
          electric  utility  companies,   municipalities  and   non-utility
          entities engaged  in the wholesale  power market.   Its principal
          executive offices are located at 40 Franklin Road, S.W., Roanoke,
          Virginia 24011 (telephone number:  540-985-2300).  The Company is
          a subsidiary of American Electric Power Company, Inc. ("AEP") and
          is  a part  of  the American  Electric  Power integrated  utility
          system  (the "AEP  System").   The executive  offices of  AEP are
          located  at 1  Riverside Plaza,  Columbus, Ohio  43215 (telephone
          number: 614-223-1000).

                                   USE OF PROCEEDS

               The Company proposes to  use the net proceeds from  the sale
          of the New  Senior Notes to  redeem or repurchase certain  of its
          outstanding debt and/or preferred stock, to fund its construction
          program, to repay short-term indebtedness incurred in  connection
          with  such  purchaserepurchases, redemptions or funding its  construction
          program  and  for  other  corporate  purposes.  Proceeds  may  be
          temporarily  invested  in short-term  instruments  pending  their
          application  to  the  foregoing purposes.    The Company's  First
          Mortgage Bonds, 7.95% Series  due 2002
          ($60,000,000  principal amount outstanding)  will be  redeemed on
          March 1, 1998 at their regular  redemption price of 101.14%.  The
          Company's   First  Mortgage   Bonds,   8.43%  Series  due  2022  ($50,000,00037,471,000  principal
          amount outstanding) may be redeemed at their  regular  redemption
          price of 106.33%.  The Company's  First
          Mortgage  Bonds,  8.70% Series  due  2022  ($35,000,000 principal
          amount outstanding)  may be redeemed or at their regular redemption
          price  of 106.53%.   The  Company's First  Mortgage Bonds,  8.75%
          Series due 2022 ($29,919,000 principal amount outstanding) may be
          redeemed  at their  regular  redemption price  of  106.13%.   The
          Company's First Mortgage  Bonds may also be redeemed  through the
          application  ofpar with cash  deposited with the  Trustee
          under  the  Company's  Mortgage (as  defined  below) pursuant  to
          certain provisions thereof.

               The Company has estimated that its consolidated construction
          costs (inclusive of allowance for funds used during construction)
          for  1998 will be approximately $206,000,000.  At January 21,March 30, 1998,
          the   Company  had   approximately  $113,000,000$122,000,000   of  short-term
          unsecured
          indebtedness outstanding.

                          RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

               Below  is set forth the  ratio of earnings  to fixed charges
          for  each of  the twelve  month periods  ended December  31, 19921993
          through 1996 and September 30, 1997:

                        12-Month
                      Period Ended                Ratio

                    December 31, 1992             2.58

                    December 31, 1993             2.69
                    December 31, 1994             2.37
                    December 31, 1995             2.54
                    December 31, 1996             2.78
                    September 30,December 31, 1997             2.452.44

                           DESCRIPTION OF NEW SENIOR NOTES

               The  New  Senior  Notes  will  be  issued  as  a  series  of
          Securities  under  an Indenture,  dated  as of  January  1, 1998,
          between the Company  and The Bank  of New  York, as Trustee  (the
          "Trustee"), as heretofore  supplemented and amended and  as to be
          further  supplemented  and   amended  (the  "Indenture").     The
          following  summary does not purport to be complete and is subject
          in all respects  to the  provisions of, and  is qualified in  its
          entirety  by reference  to, the  Indenture.   Whenever particular
          provisions  or defined  terms in  the Indenture  are referred  to
          herein,  such provisions  or  defined terms  are incorporated  by
          reference herein.  Section and Article references used herein are
          references to provisions of the Indenture unless otherwise noted.

               All  Notes  (including the  New Senior  Notes) to  be issued
          under the Indenture are herein sometimes referred to  as "Notes".
          Copies  of the  Indenture, including  the  form of  Company Order
          pursuant to which each series  of Notes may be issued,  are filed
          as exhibits to the Registration Statement.

          General

               The New Senior Notes will be issued in fully registered form
          only,  without  coupons.   The New  Senior  Notes will  be issued
          initially as one  or more Book-Entry Notes.  Except  as set forth
          herein under "Book-Entry Notes", the New Senior Notes will not be
          issuable as certificated notes.   The authorized denominations of
          Global Notes will be $25 and any integral multiple thereof.

               The New Senior  Notes will be  unsecured obligations of  the
          Company and will rank pari passu with all other unsecured debt of
          the Company, except debt that by its terms is subordinated to the
          unsecured debt of the  Company.  The Indenture provides  that New
          Senior Notes may  be issued thereunder  without limitation as  to
          aggregate principal amount and may be issued thereunder from time
          to time in one or more series or one or more Tranches thereof, as
          authorized by a  Board Resolution and as  set forth in a  Company
          Order  or  one  or  more supplemental  indentures  creating  such
          series. (Section 2.01).

               Substantially all of the  fixed properties and franchises of
          the Company are  subject to the lien of its  first mortgage bonds
          (the "Bonds") issued under and secured by a  Mortgage and Deed of
          Trust,  dated as of December 1,  1940, as previously supplemented
          and amended  by supplemental indentures, between  the Company and
          Bankers Trust Company, as trustee (the "Mortgage").

               The New  Senior  Notes are  not convertible  into any  other
          security  of  the  Company.    The  covenants  contained  in  the
          Indenture  do  not limit  the amount  of  other debt,  secured or
          unsecured, which  may be issued by the Company.  In addition, the
          Indenture does not contain any provisions  that afford holders of
          New  Senior Notes protection in  the event of  a highly leveraged
          transaction involving the Company.

          Principal Amount, Maturity and Interest

               The New Senior Notes will be limited in aggregate  principal
          amount to $100,000,000.

               The New Senior Notes will mature and become due and payable,
          together with  any accrued and  unpaid interest thereon,  on March
          31,June
          30, 2038  and will bear interest  at the rate per  annum shown in
          the title thereof from the date on which the New Senior Notes are
          originally issued until the  principal amount thereof becomes due
          and payable.  The New Senior Notes are not subject to any sinking
          fund provision.

               Interest on each  New Senior Note will  be payable quarterly
          in arrears on each  March 31, June 30, September 30  and December
          31  and at redemption, if any, or maturity.  The initial Interest
          Payment  Date is  March 31,June 30,  1998.   Each  payment of  interest in
          respect  of  an  Interest  Payment Date  shall  include  interest
          accrued  through  the  day  before such  Interest  Payment  Date.
          Interest on New Senior Notes  will be computed on the basis  of a
          360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

               Payments of  interest on  the New  Senior Notes  (other than
          interest  payable  at redemption,  if any,  or maturity)  will be
          made, except as provided below, in immediately available funds to
          the owners of such New Senior Notes (which, in the case of Global
          Notes representing  Book-Entry Notes,  will be  a nominee of  the
          Depository, as hereinafter defined) as of the Regular Record Date
          (as defined below) for each Interest Payment Date.

               The  principal of the New  Senior Notes and  any premium and
          interest thereon payable at redemption,  if any, or maturity will
          be paid in immediately available funds  upon surrender thereof at
          the office of The  Bank of New York at 101 Barclay  Street in New
          York, New York.   Should any New Senior Note be issued other than
          as  a  Global Note,  interest  (other  than  interest payable  at
          redemption or maturity)  may, at  the option of  the Company,  be
          paid  to the person entitled thereto  by check mailed to any such
          person.  See "Book-Entry Notes" herein.

               If,  with  respect  to any  New  Senior  Note,  any Interest
          Payment Date, redemption date  or the maturity is not  a Business
          Day (as defined below), payment of amounts due on such New Senior
          Note on such  date may be  made on the  next succeeding  Business
          Day, and,  if such payment is  made or duly provided  for on such
          Business  Day, no interest shall  accrue on such  amounts for the
          period from and after such Interest Payment Date, redemption date
          or maturity, as  the case may  be, to  such Business Day,  except
          that, if such  Business Day  is in the  next succeeding  calendar
          year,  such payment  shall be  made on the  immediately preceding
          Business Day, with the same  force and effect as if made  on such
          date.

               The  "Regular Record Date" with respect to a New Senior Note
          will be one Business  Day prior to the relevant  Interest Payment
          Date, except if the New Senior Notes are no longer represented by
          a Global Note,  the "Regular Record Date"  shall be the  close of
          business on the  March 15, June 15, September 15  or December 15,
          as the case may be, next preceding an Interest Payment Date or if
          such March  15, June 15,  September 15  or December 15  is not  a
          Business Day, the next preceding Business Day.

               "Business Day" with respect to any New Senior Note means any
          day  that  (a)  in  the  Place of  Payment  (as  defined  in  the
          Indenture) (or in any of the Places of Payment, if more than one)
          in which amounts  are payable as  specified in the  form of  such
          Note and  (b) in the  city in which  the Trustee administers  its
          corporate  trust   business,  is  not  a  day  on  which  banking
          institutions are authorized  or required by law  or regulation to
          close.

          Certain Trading Characteristics of the New Senior Notes

               The  New Senior Notes are expected to  trade at a price that
          takes  into  account the  value, if  any,  of accrued  but unpaid
          interest;  thus,  purchasers will  not pay and  sellers will  not
          receive  accrued and  unpaid  interest with  respect  to the  New
          Senior Notes that is  not included in the trading  price thereof.
          Any portion of  the trading price of  a New Senior  Note received
          that  is attributable  to  accrued interest  will  be treated  as
          ordinary interest income for federal income tax purposes and will
          not be  treated as part  of the amount  realized for  purposes of
          determining gain or  loss on  the disposition of  the New  Senior
          Note.

               The trading  price of the New  Senior Notes is likely  to be
          sensitive  to the level of interest rates generally.  If interest
          rates rise in general, the trading price of the New  Senior Notes
          may decline to reflect  the additional yield requirements  of the
          purchasers.  Conversely, a decline in interest rates may increase
          the  trading price of the New Senior Notes, although any increase
          will be moderated by the Company's ability to call the New Senior
          Notes at  any time  on or  after MarchApril __,  2003 at  a Redemption
          Price equal to  100% of the principal amount  to be redeemed plus
          accrued but unpaid interest.

          Optional Redemption

               The New Senior Notes will be redeemable at the option of the
          Company,  in whole or in part, at  any time on or after MarchApril __,
          2003, upon not  less than 30  nor more than  60 days' notice,  at
          100% of the  principal amount redeemed together  with accrued and
          unpaid interest to the redemption date.

          Form, Exchange, Registration and Transfer

               New Senior Notes in  definitive form will be issued  only as
          registered  Notes without coupons in denominations  of $25 and in
          integral multiples thereof authorized by the Company.  New Senior
          Notes may  be presented  for registration  of transfer (with  the
          form of transfer endorsed thereon  duly executed) or exchange, at
          the office of the Security Registrar, without  service charge and
          upon  payment  of any  taxes  and other  governmental  charges as
          described  in the Indenture.   Such transfer or  exchange will be
          effected  upon  the  Company  or  the  Security  Registrar  being
          satisfied  with the documents of title and identity of the person
          making the request.   The  Company has appointed  the Trustee  as
          Security Registrar with respect to New Senior Notes.  The Company
          may change the place for registration of transfer and exchange of
          the New Senior  Notes and  may designate one  or more  additional
          places  for such  registration and  exchange. (Sections  2.05 and
          4.02).

               The Company shall not be required to (i) issue, register the
          transfer  of  or exchange  any New  Senior  Note during  a period
          beginning at  the opening of  business 15 days before  the day of
          the mailing  of  a notice  of  redemption of  less  than all  the
          outstanding  New Senior Notes and ending at the close of business
          on the  day of such mailing  or (ii) register the  transfer of or
          exchange any  New  Senior Notes  or portions  thereof called  for
          redemption in whole or in part.  (Section 2.05).

          Payment and Paying Agents

               Payment  of principal  of and  premium, if  any, on  any New
          Senior Note will  be made  only against surrender  to the  Paying
          Agent of such New Senior Note.  Principal of and  any premium and
          interest on New Senior Note will be payable at the office of such
          Paying Agent or Paying  Agents as the Company may  designate from
          time to time, except that at the option of the Company payment of
          any interest  may be made by  check mailed to the  address of the
          person  entitled thereto  as  such address  shall  appear in  the
          Security Register with respect to such New Senior Note.

               The Trustee initially will act as  Paying Agent with respect
          to New  Senior Notes.   The  Company may  at  any time  designate
          additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying
          Agents or approve a change in the office through which any Paying
          Agent acts.  (Sections 4.02 and 4.03).

               All  moneys paid  by the Company  to a Paying  Agent for the
          payment of the principal  of and premium, if any, or interest, if
          any, on  any New Senior Notes that remain unclaimed at the end of
          two  years  after such  principal, premium,  if any,  or interest
          shall have  become due and  payable, subject  to applicable  law,
          will be repaid to the  Company and the holder of such  New Senior
          Note  will  thereafter look  only  to  the  Company  for  payment
          thereof. (Section 11.04).

          Book-Entry Notes

               Except  under the  circumstances  described below,  the  New
          Senior Notes will be  issued in whole or in  part in the form  of
          one  or more  Global Notes  that will  be deposited  with, or  on
          behalf of,  The  Depository Trust  Company,  New York,  New  York
          ("DTC"),  or  such  other   depository  as  may  be  subsequently
          designated (the  "Depository"), and registered  in the name  of a
          nominee of the Depository.

               Book-Entry Notes  represented by a  Global Note will  not be
          exchangeable   for  certificated  notes  and,  except  under  the
          circumstances described below, will  not otherwise be issuable as
          certificated notes.

               So long as the Depository, or its nominee, is the registered
          owner of a Global Note,  such Depository or such nominee, as  the
          case may be, will be considered the sole owner of  the individual
          Book-Entry Notes represented by such Global Note for all purposes
          under the  Indenture.  Payments of  principal of and  premium, if
          any, and any interest  on individual Book-Entry Notes represented
          by  a Global Note will be made  to the Depository or its nominee,
          as the case may  be, as the owner of such Global Note.  Except as
          set  forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a Global Note
          will not be  entitled to  have any of  the individual  Book-Entry
          Notes represented by such Global  Note registered in their names,
          will not receive or  be entitled to receive physical  delivery of
          any  such Book-Entry Note and  will not be  considered the owners
          thereof  under the Indenture,  including, without limitation, for
          purposes  of consenting  to any  amendment thereof  or supplement
          thereto.

               If  the Depository  is at  any time  unwilling or  unable to
          continue  as  depository  and   a  successor  depository  is  not
          appointed, the Company will  issue individual certificated  notes
          in exchange  for the  Global Note representing  the corresponding
          Book-Entry Notes.  In addition,  the Company may at any  time and
          in its sole discretion determine not to have any New Senior Notes
          represented by the  Global noteNote  and, in such  event, will  issue
          individual  certificated notes  in exchange  for the  Global Note
          representing  the corresponding  Book-Entry Notes.   In  any such
          instance, an owner of  a Book-Entry Note represented by  a Global
          Note  will  be  entitled   to  physical  delivery  of  individual
          certificated notes  equal in principal amount  to such Book-Entry
          Note and to have such certificated notes registered in his or her
          name.   Individual certificated notes so issued will be issued as
          registered New Senior  Notes in  denominations, unless  otherwise
          specified by the Company, of $25 and integral multiples thereof.

               DTC has confirmed  to the Company  and the Underwriters  the
          following information:

               1.   DTC will  act as  securities depository for  the Global
          Notes.  The New  Senior Notes will be issued  as fully-registered
          securities  registered  in  the  name   of  Cede  &  Co.   (DTC's
          partnership nominee).   One fully-registered Global  Note will be
          issued  for  the series  of New  Senior  Notes, in  the aggregate
          principal amount of such series, and will be deposited with DTC.

               2.   DTC  is a limited-purpose trust company organized under
          the New  York Banking  Law, a "banking  organization" within  the
          meaning  of the  New York Banking  Law, a  member of  the Federal
          Reserve System,  a "clearing  corporation" within the  meaning of
          the  New York Uniform  Commercial Code,  and a  "clearing agency"
          registered  pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of the 1934
          Act.  DTC holds securities that its participants ("Participants")
          deposit  with DTC.   DTC  also facilitates  the settlement  among
          Participants of securities  transactions, such  as transfers  and
          pledges, in deposited  securities through electronic computerized
          book-entry changes in Participants' accounts, thereby eliminating
          the  need  for  physical  movement  of  securities  certificates.
          Direct  Participants  include  securities  brokers  and  dealers,
          banks, trust companies, clearing  corporations, and certain other
          organizations.     DTC  is  owned  by  a  number  of  its  Direct
          Participants  and  by  the New  York  Stock  Exchange,  Inc., the
          American Stock  Exchange, Inc.,  and the National  Association of
          Securities  Dealers, Inc.    Access to  the  DTC system  is  also
          available  to  others such  as  securities  brokers and  dealers,
          banks, and  trust  companies that  clear  through or  maintain  a
          custodial relationship with a Direct Participant, either directly
          or indirectly ("Indirect Participants").  The Rules applicable to
          DTC  and its  Participants are  on file  with the  Securities and
          Exchange Commission.

               3.   Purchases of New Senior Notes under the DTC system must
          be made by or  through Direct Participants, which will  receive a
          credit for the New Senior Notes  on DTC's records.  The ownership
          interest of  each  actual  purchaser  of  each  New  Senior  Note
          ("Beneficial Owner") is in turn to be recorded on  the Direct and
          Indirect  Participants' records.    Beneficial  Owners  will  not
          receive  written confirmation  from  DTC of  their purchase,  but
          Beneficial Owners  are expected to receive  written confirmations
          providing  details  of  the  transaction,  as  well  as  periodic
          statements  of  their  holdings,  from  the  Direct  or  Indirect
          Participant through  which the Beneficial Owner  entered into the
          transaction.  Transfers of ownership interests  in the New Senior
          Notes  are to  be accomplished  by entries  made on the  books of
          Participants acting  on behalf of Beneficial  Owners.  Beneficial
          Owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership
          interests in  New Senior Notes,  except in the event  that use of
          the book-entry system for the New Senior Notes is discontinued.

               4.   To  facilitate  subsequent  transfers, all  New  Senior
          Notes deposited  by Participants with  DTC are registered  in the
          name of DTC's partnership nominee, Cede & Co.  The deposit of New
          Senior Notes with DTC and their registration in the name  of Cede
          & Co.  effect no  change in  beneficial  ownership.   DTC has  no
          knowledge  of  the actual  Beneficial  Owners of  the  New Senior
          Notes;  DTC's records  reflect only  the identity  of the  Direct
          Participants  to  whose  accounts   such  New  Senior  Notes  are
          credited, which  may or may  not be the  Beneficial Owners.   The
          Participants will remain responsible for keeping account of their
          holdings on behalf of their customers.

               5.   Conveyance of notices  and other communications  by DTC
          to  Direct  Participants,  by  Direct  Participants  to  Indirect
          Participants,   and   by   Direct   Participants   and   Indirect
          Participants  to   Beneficial   Owners  will   be   governed   by
          arrangements among  them, subject to any  statutory or regulatory
          requirements as may be in effect from time to time.

               6.   Redemption notices shall be sent to Cede & Co.  If less
          than  all of  the  New Senior  Notes  are being  redeemed,  DTC's
          practice  is to  determine by lot  the amount of  the interest of
          each Direct Participant in such issue to be redeemed.

               7.   Neither  DTC nor Cede &  Co. will consent  or vote with
          respect to the New Senior Notes.  Under its usual procedures, DTC
          mails an Omnibus Proxy  to the Company as soon  as possible after
          the  record date.    The  Omnibus  Proxy  assigns  Cede  &  Co.'s
          consenting or voting rights to those Direct Participants to whose
          accounts the New  Senior Notes  are credited on  the record  date
          (identified in a listing attached to the Omnibus Proxy).

               8.   Principal and interest payments on the New Senior Notes
          will be  made  to  DTC.    DTC's practice  is  to  credit  Direct
          Participants' accounts on the date  on which interest is  payable
          in  accordance  with their  respective  holdings  shown on  DTC's
          records unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive
          payment on  such date.   Payments  by Participants  to Beneficial
          Owners will  be governed  by standing instructions  and customary
          practices, as is the  case with securities held for  the accounts
          of customers in bearer  form or registered in "street  name", and
          will  be the responsibility of  such Participant and  not of DTC,
          the  Underwriters or  the Company,  subject to  any statutory  or
          regulatory  requirements as may be  in effect from  time to time.
          Payment of principal and interest to DTC is the responsibility of
          the Company  or the  Trustee, disbursement  of  such payments  to
          Direct  Participants  shall be  the  responsibility  of DTC,  and
          disbursement of such payments  to the Beneficial Owners  shall be
          the responsibility of Direct and Indirect Participants.

               9.   DTC   may   discontinue  providing   its   services  as
          securities depository with respect to the New Senior Notes at any
          time  by giving reasonable notice to the Company and the Trustee.
          Under  such   circumstances,  in  the  event   that  a  successor
          securities  depository is  not obtained,  certificated  notes are
          required to be printed and delivered.

               10.  The Company may decide to discontinue use of the system
          of book-entry  transfers through  DTC (or a  successor securities
          depository).   In that event,  certificated notes will be printed
          and delivered.

               The  information in  this section  concerning DTC  and DTC's
          book-entry system has been obtained from sources that the Company
          believes to be reliable, but  the Company takes no responsibility
          for the accuracy thereof.

               None of the Company, the Trustee or any agent for payment on
          or registration of transfer  or exchange of any Global  Note will
          have  any  responsibility or  liability  for  any aspect  of  the
          records  relating to or  payments made  on account  of beneficial
          interests in such Global Note or for maintaining, supervising  or
          reviewing any records relating to such beneficial interests.

          Modification of the Indenture

               The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and
          the  Trustee, with the consent of the  holders of not less than a
          majority in principal  amount of  Notes of each  series that  are
          affected by  the  modification, to  modify the  Indenture or  any
          supplemental indenture affecting that series or the rights of the
          holders  of   that  series  of  Notes;  provided,  that  no  such
          modification  may, without  the  consent of  the  holder of  each
          outstanding Note affected thereby,  (i) extend the fixed maturity
          of  any Notes  of  any series,  or  reduce the  principal  amount
          thereof, or  reduce the  rate or extend  the time  of payment  of
          interest  thereon,  or  reduce   any  premium  payable  upon  the
          redemption  thereof, or reduce the  amount of the  principal of a
          Discount Security (as defined in the Indenture) that would be due
          and payable upon  a declaration of  acceleration of the  maturity
          thereof pursuant  to the Indenture, (ii) reduce the percentage of
          Notes, the holders of  which are required to consent  to any such
          supplemental indenture, or (iii)  reduce the percentage of Notes,
          the holders  of which are required  to waive any default  and its
          consequences.  (Section 9.02).

               In  addition,  the  Company  and the  Trustee  may  execute,
          without the  consent  of any  holder of  Notes, any  supplemental
          indenture for certain other usual purposes including the creation
          of any new series of Notes.  (Sections 2.01, 9.01 and 10.01).

          Events of Default

               The Indenture provides that any one or more of the following
          described   events,  which  has   occurred  and   is  continuing,
          constitutes  an "Event of Default" with respect to each series of
          Notes:

                    (a) failure for  30 days  to pay interest  on Notes  of
               that series when due and payable; or

                    (b) failure  for 3  Business Days  to pay  principal or
               premium,  if any,  on  Notes of  that  series when  due  and
               payable whether  at maturity, upon  redemption, pursuant  to
               any sinking fund obligation, by declaration or otherwise; or

                    (c) failure  by the Company  to observe or  perform any
               other covenant  (other than  those specifically relating  to
               another series) contained in the Indenture for 90 days after
               written  notice  to  the Company  from  the  Trustee  or the
               holders  of  at  least  33%   in  principal  amount  of  the
               outstanding Notes of that series; or

                    (d) certain events involving bankruptcy,  insolvency or
               reorganization of the Company; or

                    (e) any other event of default provided for in a series
               of Notes. (Section 6.01).

               The Trustee or the holders of not less than 33% in aggregate
          outstanding principal  amount of  any particular series  of Notes
          may declare  the principal due  and payable  immediately upon  an
          Event of Default with  respect to such series, but the holders of
          a  majority in  aggregate  outstanding principal  amount of  such
          series  may annul  such declaration  and waive  the default  with
          respect to  such series if the  default has been cured  and a sum
          sufficient  to  pay  all  matured installments  of  interest  and
          principal otherwise than by acceleration and any premium has been
          deposited with the Trustee.  (Sections 6.01 and 6.06).

               The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal
          amount of  any series of Notes have the right to direct the time,
          method  and place  of conducting  any proceeding  for  any remedy
          available  to  the Trustee  for  that  series.   (Section  6.06).
          Subject to the provisions of the Indenture relating to the duties
          of the Trustee  in case an  Event of Default  shall occur and  be
          continuing, the Trustee will  be under no obligation to  exercise
          any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or
          direction of any of the holders of the Notes, unless such holders
          shall  have offered to the Trustee  indemnity satisfactory to it.
          (Section 7.02). 

               The holders of a majority in aggregate outstanding principal
          amount of  any series of Notes affected thereby may, on behalf of
          the holders of all  Notes of such series, waive any past default,
          except a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or
          interest  when due  otherwise than  by acceleration  (unless such
          default has been  cured and a  sum sufficient to pay  all matured
          installments  of  interest  and   principal  otherwise  than   by
          acceleration and any premium has been deposited with the Trustee)
          or  a call  for redemption  of Notes  of such  series.   (Section
          6.06).  The Company is required to file annually with the Trustee
          a  certificate as to whether or  not the Company is in compliance
          with  all  the  conditions  and covenants  under  the  Indenture.
          (Section 5.03(d)).

          Consolidation, Merger and Sale

               The Indenture  does not contain any  covenant that restricts
          the  Company's ability to merge  or consolidate with  or into any
          other corporation, sell or convey all or substantially all of its
          assets  to any person, firm or corporation or otherwise engage in
          restructuring   transactions,   provided   that   the   successor
          corporation  assumes due  and  punctual payment  of principal  or
          premium, if any, and interest on the Notes. (Section 10.01).

          Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance

               Notes of any series may be defeased in accordance with their
          terms  and, unless  the supplemental  indenture or  Company Order
          establishing the terms of such  series otherwise provides, as set
          forth  below.   The Company  at any  time may  terminate as  to a
          series all  of its  obligations (except for  certain obligations,
          including obligations  with respect  to the defeasance  trust and
          obligations  to register the transfer  or exchange of  a Note, to
          replace destroyed, lost or stolen Notes  and to maintain agencies
          in respect of the Notes) with respect to the Notes of such series
          and  the Indenture ("legal defeasance").  The Company at any time
          also may terminate as to a series its obligations with respect to
          the Notes of that series under any restrictive covenant which may
          be applicable to that particular series ("covenant defeasance").

               The  Company  may  exercise  its   legal  defeasance  option
          notwithstanding  its prior  exercise of  its  covenant defeasance
          option.  If  the Company exercises  its legal defeasance  option,
          the  particular series may not be accelerated because of an Event
          of Default.   If  the Company exercises  its covenant  defeasance
          option,  a  series may  not be  accelerated  by reference  to any
          restrictive covenant  which may be applicable  to that particular
          series.

               To exercise either of its defeasance options as to a series,
          the Company must deposit with the Trustee or any paying agent, in
          trust:  moneys or Eligible Obligations, or a combination thereof,
          in an  amount sufficient  to pay  when due  the principal  of and
          premium, if any, and interest,  if any, due and to become  due on
          the Notes of such series that are Outstanding (as  defined in the
          Indenture).   Such  defeasance or  discharge may  occur only  if,
          among other things, the  Company has delivered to the  Trustee an
          Opinion  of Counsel to the effect that  the holders of such Notes
          will  not recognize gain, loss  or income for  federal income tax
          purposes as a  result of  the satisfaction and  discharge of  the
          Indenture  with respect to such series and that such holders will
          realize gain, loss or income on such Notes, including payments of
          interest thereon, in  the same amounts and in the same manner and
          at the same time as would have been the case if such satisfaction
          and discharge had not occurred. (Section 11.01).

               In  the event the Company  exercises its option  to effect a
          covenant defeasance with respect  to the Notes of any  series and
          the  Notes of that series are thereafter declared due and payable
          because of the  occurrence of any Event of Default  other than an
          Event of Default caused  by failing to comply with  the covenants
          which are defeased, the amount of money and  Eligible Obligations
          on  deposit with the Trustee may not be sufficient to pay amounts
          due  on the Notes of that series  at the time of the acceleration
          resulting from such Event of Default.  However, the Company would
          remain liable for such payments. (Section 11.01).

          Governing Law

               The  Indenture and New Senior Notes will be governed by, and
          construed in accordance with, the laws  of the State of New York.
          (Section 13.05).

          Concerning the Trustee

               AEP System companies, including  the Company, utilize or may
          utilize some of the  banking services offered by The Bank  of New
          York  in the  normal  course of  their  businesses.   Among  such
          services are the making  of short-term loans, generally  at rates
          related to the prime commercial interest rate.

                                    LEGAL OPINIONS

               Opinions with  respect  to the  legality of  the New  Senior
          Notes  will  be  rendered  by  Simpson  Thacher  &  Bartlett, (a
          partnership  which  includes   professional  corporations),   425
          Lexington  Avenue, New  York,  New York  and  1 Riverside  Plaza,
          Columbus, Ohio, counsel for the  Company, and by Dewey Ballantine
          LLP, 1301 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York, counsel for
          the Underwriters.   Additional legal opinions  in connection with
          the offering  of the New Senior  Notes may be given  by Thomas G.
          Berkemeyer  or  David C.  House, counsel  for  the Company.   Mr.
          Berkemeyer  is Assistant  General Counsel,  and Mr.  House is  an
          Attorney,  in the  Legal  Department of  American Electric  Power
          Service Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of AEP.  From time
          to  time, Dewey Ballantine LLP  acts as counsel  to affiliates of
          the Company in connection with certain matters.

                                       EXPERTS

               The  financial  statements and  related  financial statement
          schedule incorporated  in this  prospectus by reference  from the
          Company's  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  have been  audited  by
          Deloitte &  Touche LLP, independent auditors, as  stated in their
          reports,  which are  incorporated herein  by reference,  and have
          been  so incorporated in reliance  upon the reports  of such firm
          given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

                                     UNDERWRITING

               Subject  to the  terms  and conditions  of the  Underwriting
          Agreement,  the Company  has  agreed  to  sell  to  each  of  the
          Underwriters  named  below  ("Underwriters"),  and  each  of  the
          Underwriters has  severally agreed  to purchase from  the Company
          the  respective principal  amount of New  Senior Notes  set forth
          opposite its name below:

                                                        Principal Amount
          Underwriters                                 of New Senior Notes

          Smith Barney Inc.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $              
          Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
                      Incorporated  . . . . . . . . . . .   $              
          Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated   . . . . . .   $              
          PaineWebber Incorporated  . . . . . . . . . . .   $              
          Prudential Securities Incorporated  . . . . . .   $              

               TOTAL  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100,000,000   


               In the Underwriting Agreement, the Underwriters have agreed,
          subject  to  the  terms  and  conditions  set forth  therein,  to
          purchase all of the New Senior Notes offered hereby if any of the
          New Senior Notes are purchased.

               The Underwriters propose  to offer the  New Senior Notes  in
          part  directly to the public at the initial public offering price
          set forth  on the cover page  of this Prospectus, and  in part to
          certain securities dealers at such price less a concession not in
          excess  of $______  per New  Senior Note.   The  Underwriters may
          allow, and such dealers  may reallow, a concession not  in excess
          of  $______ per New Senior  Note to certain  brokers and dealers.
          After the New Senior Notes are  released for sale to the  public,
          the offering price and other selling  terms may from time to time
          be varied by the Underwriters.

               The  Company has agreed, during  the period of  30 days from
          the date of  the Underwriting  Agreement, not to  sell, offer  to
          sell,  grant any option for the sale  of, or otherwise dispose of
          any  New   Senior  Notes,   any  security  convertible   into  or
          exchangeable into or exercisable for New Senior Notes or any debt
          securities substantially similar to  the New Senior Notes (except
          for  the New  Senior Notes  issued pursuant  to the  Underwriting
          Agreement),   without   the   prior   written   consent   of  the
          Underwriters.

               The  New Senior Notes are a  new issue of securities with no
          established trading  market.  While  the Company intends  to list
          the New  Senior Notes on the NYSE, there can be no assurance that
          an active  market for  the New  Senior Notes  will develop or  be
          sustained in  the future on the  NYSE.  Listing will  depend upon
          satisfaction of  the NYSE's listing requirements  with respect to
          the  New Senior Notes.  The Underwriters have advised the Company
          that  they intend to make a market  in the New Senior Notes prior
          to the commencement  of trading  on the NYSE.   The  Underwriters
          will have no obligation to make a market in the New Senior Notes,
          however, and may cease market making activities, if commenced, at
          any time.

               The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against
          certain  liabilities,  including  certain liabilities  under  the
          Securities Act of 1933.

               In  connection with  this  offering and  in compliance  with
          applicable  law  and  industry  practice,  the  Underwriters  may
          overallot or  effect transactions  which  stabilize, maintain  or
          otherwise  affect the  market price  of the  New Senior  Notes at
          levels above  those  which might  otherwise prevail  in the  open
          market,  including by entering  stabilizing bids,  purchasing New
          Senior  Notes to  cover  syndicate short  positions and  imposing
          penalty bids.  A stabilizing bid means the placing of any bid, or
          the effecting of any purchase, for the purpose of pegging, fixing
          or maintaining the  price of  a security.   Covering a  syndicate
          short position means placing a  bid or effecting a purchase of  a
          security on behalf  of the underwriting  syndicate to reduce  the
          short position created in connection with the offering.  Imposing
          a penalty bid means purchasing a  security in the open market  to
          reduce  the   underwriting  syndicate's  short   position  or  to
          stabilize the price of  the security and in connection  therewith
          reclaiming  the  amount  of   the  selling  concession  from  the
          underwriters and  selling group members who  sold such securities
          as part of the offering.

               In  general,  purchases of  a  security for  the  purpose of
          stabilization or to reduce a syndicate short position could cause
          the  price of the security  to be higher than  it might be in the
          absence of such purchases.  The imposition of a penalty bid might
          also have an effect on the price of a security to the extent that
          it were to discourage resales of the security.

               Neither the  Company nor any  of the Underwriters  makes any
          representation  or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of
          any  effect that the transactions described above may have on the
          price of the New  Senior Notes.  In addition, neither the Company
          nor  any of the  Underwriters makes  any representation  that the
          Underwriters  will  engage  in  such transactions  or  that  such
          transactions once  commenced,  will not  be discontinued  without
          notice.

               The Underwriters, and certain  affiliates thereof, engage in
          transactions  with, and from time to time have performed services
          for, the Company  and its  affiliates in the  ordinary course  of
          business.



                   PART II.  INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

          Item 14.  Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.*

                    Estimation  based upon the  issuance of all  of the New
          Senior Notes in one issuance:

          Securities and Exchange Commission 
            Filing Fees                                            $ 29,500
          Printing Registration Statement, 
            Prospectus, etc.                                         25,000
          Printing and Engraving New Senior Notes                    10,00030,000
          Independent Auditors' fees                                 15,000
          Charges of Trustee (including counsel fees)                10,000
          Legal fees                                                 65,000
          Rating Agency fees                                         48,00031,000
          Miscellaneous expenses                                   $ 20,000

               Total                                               $212,500$200,500

          *    Estimated, except for filing fees.


          Item 15.  Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

               The Bylaws  of the  Company provide  that the  Company shall
          indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be
          made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit
          or  proceeding,  whether   civil,  criminal,  administrative,  or
          investigative and whether formal  or informal because such person
          is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company or is or
          was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer,
          partner,  trustee,  employee  or  agent  of another  corporation,
          partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
          enterprise,   against   any   obligations   to   pay   judgments,
          settlements,  penalties,  fines  (including any  excise  tax)  or
          reasonable  expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by such
          person  in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if (a)
          such  person conducted  him or  herself in  good faith,  (b) such
          person  believed in the case of conduct in such person's official
          capacity  with the Company (as  defined) that his  or her conduct
          was  in the  best interests  of  the Company,  and, in  all other
          cases, that  his or her conduct  was at least not  opposed to its
          best  interests,  (c) with  respect to  any   criminal  action or
          proceeding, such person had no reasonable cause to believe his or
          her  conduct was  unlawful and  (d) such  person was  not grossly
          negligent or guilty of willful misconduct.  Such indemni-fication
          in connection with a proceeding by or in the right of the Company
          is limited to reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the
          proceeding.  Any such indemnification (unless ordered by a court)
          shall be made by  the Company only as authorized in  the specific
          case upon a determination that indemnification of the director is
          proper  in the  circumstances  because such  person  has met  the
          applicable standard of conduct.

               Section  13.1-698  of the  Code  of  Virginia provides  that
          unless limited  by the  articles of incorporation,  a corporation
          shall indemnify a director  who entirely prevails in  the defense
          of any proceeding to  which such person was a  party because such
          person is or was a director of the corporation against reasonable
          expenses incurred  in connection  with such proceeding.   Section
          13.1-699 provides  that a  corporation may  pay for or  reimburse
          reasonable expenses incurred by a director who is a party to such
          a proceeding in advance of  final disposition of such  proceeding
          if (a) the director furnishes  a written statement of his  or her
          good  faith belief  that  the standard  of  conduct described  in
          Section 13.1-697  has been  met; (b)  the director  furnishes the
          corporation a written undertaking by or on behalf of the director
          to repay the  advance if  it is ultimately  determined that  such
          person   did  not  meet  the  standard  of  conduct;  and  (c)  a
          determination is made that  the facts then known to  those making
          the determination would  not preclude  indemnification.   Section
          13.1-700.1 provides procedures which  allow directors to apply to
          a court for an order directing advances or indemnification.

               Section  13.1-702  provides  that  unless  limited  by   the
          articles of incorporation, (a) officers are entitled to mandatory
          indemni-fication under  Section 13.1-698  and to apply  for court
          ordered  indemnification  under Section  13.1-700.1  to  the same
          extent  as a director, and  (b) that a  corporation may indemnify
          and advance expenses to an officer, employee or agent to the same
          extent  as to  a director.   Section  13.1-704 provides  that any
          corporation shall have the power to make any further indemnity to
          any director, officer, employee  or agent that may be  authorized
          by  the  articles  of incorporation  or  any  bylaw  made by  the
          stockholders  or  any resolution  adopted,  before  or after  the
          event, by  the stockholders, except an  indemnity against willful
          misconduct or a knowing violation of criminal law.

               The  above is a general summary of certain provisions of the
          Company's Bylaws  and the Code of Virginia  and is subject in all
          respects to the specific and detailed provisions of the Company's
          Bylaws and the Code of Virginia.

               Reference is made  to the Selling  Agency Agreement and  the
          Underwriting Agreement  filed as  Exhibits 1(a) and  1(b) hereto,
          respectively, which  provide for indemnification  of the Company,
          certain of its  directors and officers,  and persons who  control
          the Company, under certain circumstances.

               The   Company  maintains  insurance  policies  insuring  its
          directors and  officers against  certain obligations that  may be
          incurred by them.

          Item 16.  Exhibits.

               Reference  is  made  to  the information  contained  in  the
          Exhibit Index filed as part of this Registration Statement.

          Item 17.  Undertakings.

               The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

               (1)  That, for purposes of  determining any liability  under
               the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of  the registrant's
               annual  report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of
               the Securities Exchange  Act of 1934 that is incorporated by
               reference in this registration  statement shall be deemed to
               be a new registration statement  relating to the New  Senior
               Notes, and the offering thereof at that time shall be deemed
               to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

               (2)  Insofar  as  indemnification  for  liabilities  arising
               under  the  Securities  Act  of  1933  may  be permitted  to
               directors,  officers   and   controlling  persons   of   the
               registrant  pursuant  to the  laws  of  the Commonwealth  of
               Virginia,  the   registrant's  bylaws,  or   otherwise,  the
               registrant has been advised  that in the opinion of  the SEC
               such  indemnification is against  public policy as expressed
               in said  Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.  In the event
               that a  claim for indemnification  against such  liabilities
               (other  than  the  payment  by the  registrant  of  expenses
               incurred  or  paid by  a  director,  officer or  controlling
               person  of the registrant  in the successful  defense of any
               action, suit  or proceeding)  is asserted by  such director,
               officer  or controlling  person in  connection with  the New
               Senior Notes, the registrant will, unless in  the opinion of
               its  counsel  the matter  has  been  settled by  controlling
               precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
               question whether  such  indemnification  by  it  is  against
               public  policy as expressed in said Act and will be governed
               by the final adjudication of such issue.

               (3)  For  purposes of  determining any  liability under  the
               Securities  Act of  1933, the  information omitted  from the
               form  of  prospectus  filed  as part  of  this  registration
               statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form
               of  prospectus  filed by  the  registrant  pursuant to  Rule
               424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be
               deemed to be part  of this registration statement as  of the
               time it was declared effective.

               (4)  For the purpose of  determining any liability under the
               Securities Act of  1933, each post-effective  amendment that
               contains a  form of prospectus shall  be deemed to be  a new
               registration  statement relating  to the  securities offered
               therein, and  the offering of  such securities at  that time
               shall  be  deemed  to  be the  initial  bona  fide  offering
               thereof.

                                      SIGNATURES

               Pursuant to the requirements of  the Securities Act of 1933,
          the registrant certifies that it has reasonable  cause to believe
          that it meets all of the requirements for filing on  Form S-3 and
          has duly caused this  registration statement to be signed  on its
          behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City
          of Columbus and State of Ohio, on the 9th31st day of February,March, 1998.

                                        APPALACHIAN POWER COMPANY

                                        E. Linn Draper, Jr.*
                                        Chairman of the Board and
                                           Chief Executive Officer


               Pursuant to the requirements of  the Securities Act of 1933,
          this  registration  statement  has   been  signed  below  by  the
          following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


                    Signature                 Title                  Date

          (i) Principal Executive 
                Officer              Chairman of the Board
                                     and Chief Executive
              E. Linn Draper, Jr.*         Officer           February 9,March 31, 1998

          (ii) Principal Financial
                 Officer:

               G. P. Maloney*          Vice President        February 9,March 31, 1998

          (iii) Principal Accounting 
                  Officer:

               P. J. DeMaria*          Controller            February 9,March 31, 1998

          (iv) A Majority of the 
                 Directors:

               P. J. DeMaria*
               E. Linn Draper, Jr.*
               H. W. Fayne*
               Wm. J. Lhota*
               G. P. Maloney*
               James J. Markowsky*
               J. H. Vipperman*                              February 9,March 31, 1998

          *By_/s/ A. A. Pena_Pena_____
          (A. A. Pena, Attorney-in-Fact)



                                    EXHIBIT INDEX

               Certain  of  the  following  exhibits,  designated  with  an
          asterisk (*), are filed herewith.  The exhibits not so designated
          have heretofore been filed with  the Commission and, pursuant  to
          17 C.F.R. Sections 201.24 and 230.411, are incorporated herein by
          reference to  the documents indicated following  the descriptions
          of such exhibits.

          Exhibit No.                    Description


          * 1       -    Copy  of proposed  form of  Underwriting Agreement
                         for the New Senior Notes.

            * 4(a)    -    Copy of  Indenture, dated  as of January  1, 1998,
                         between the Company  and The Bank of  New York, as
                         Trustee  for the Notes.[Registration  Statement  No.  333-45927,
                         Exhibits 4(a) and 4(b)].

          * 4(b)    -    Copy of  Company Order,  dated January 21,March 3,  1998, for
                         the Unsecured Medium Term7.20% Senior Notes, Series A.A, Due 2038.

          * 4(c)    -    Copy of proposed form of Company Order for the New
                         Senior Notes.

          * 5       -    Opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett with respect
                         to the New Senior Notes.

           12       -    Statement re Computations of Ratios [Quarterly[Annual Report
                         on Form 10-Q10-K of  the Company for the  period ended
                         September 30,December 31, 1997, File No. 1-3457, Exhibit 12].

          *23(a)    -    Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

           23(b)    -    Consent of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (included in
                         Exhibit 5 filed herewith).

          *24       -    Powers of Attorney and resolutions of the Board of
                         Directors of the Company.

          *25       -    Form T-1 re eligibility of The Bank of New York to
                         act as Trustee under the Indenture.