SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                               Washington, D.C.  20549



                                      FORM 8-K

                                   CURRENT REPORT

                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

                           Securities Exchange Act of 1934

      Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  September 2, 1996


                                Freeport McMoRan Inc.


                 Delaware               1-8124            13-3051048
            (State or other         (Commission         (IRS Employer
            jurisdiction of         File Number)        Identification
            incorporation or                               Number)
             organization)

                                 1615 Poydras Street

                            New Orleans, Louisiana  70112

      Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (504) 582-4000






          Item 5.   Other Events.
                    -------------
          The following news release was issued by Freeport-McMoRan Inc. on
          September 2, 1996:

                   FREEPORT-McMoRan INC. AND ARCADIAN CORPORATION
                            TERMINATE MERGER DISCUSSIONS
               NEW ORLEANS, LA., September 2, 1996 -- Freeport-McMoRan Inc.
          (NYSE:FTX) announced today that the previously announced non-
          binding letter of intent with Arcadian Corporation (NYSE:ACA; ACA
          PRA) for the combination of their businesses has been terminated.
           The termination has no financial or operational effect on FTX or
          its affiliate Freeport-McMoRan Resource Partners, Limited
          Partnership (NYSE:FRP).
               James R. Moffett, Chairman of the Board of FTX said, "We
          believe FTX made a fully valued offer for Arcadian.  FTX was
          unable to justify improving its offer because of its long-term
          view of the nitrogen fertilizer business and the fact that such
          an improvement would have diluted the value of the combination to
          FTX's existing shareholders.  FTX believes that entering into a
          "bidding contest" after proposing a full value offer would not be
          in the best interest of FTX's shareholders.  We have reviewed
          many possible business combinations with nitrogen fertilizer
          producers and, if FTX is unable to acquire assets that add value
          for its shareholders, it prefers to remain the "purest play"
          investment opportunity in the phosphate related fertilizer
          business."
               Rene L. Latiolais, President and Chief Executive Officer of
          FTX said, "We will continue to repurchase our shares and utilize
          our competitive advantages in the worldwide phosphate fertilizer
          market and in natural gas exploration and production (which will
          indirectly provide a hedge to our exposure to ammonia) to enhance
          the value of our company.  We will continue to consider
          attractive business opportunities to pursue our growth objectives
          and remain committed to strengthening the asset base of our
          businesses for the benefit of our security holders."
               Freeport-McMoRan Inc. owns a 51.6% interest in Freeport-
          McMoRan Resource Partners, which is engaged in the production and
          sale of phosphate fertilizer and animal feed ingredients as well
          as the mining and sale of phosphate rock through IMC-Agrico
          Company, the mining, transporting, terminalling and marketing of
          sulphur and the exploration, development and production of oil
          and gas reserves.




                                      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.

                                        Freeport-McMoRan Inc.


                                        By:      /s/ William J. Blackwell
                                             ------------------------------
                                                   William J. Blackwell
                                             Controller - Financial Reporting
                                                (authorized signatory and
                                               Principal Accounting Officer)

          Date:  September 4, 1996