Pricing Supplement No. 97               Filed Pursuant to
(To Prospectus dated July 6, 1993       Rule 424(b)(5)
and Prospectus Supplement dated         File No. 33-64192
October 15, 1993)
                                        Dated: October 14, 1994

                              THE KROGER CO.

                     General Term Notes (R), Series B
            Due from Nine Months to 25 Years from Date of Issue

Aggregate Principal Amount:  $159,000.00

Fixed or Variable Rate:  Fixed

Interest Rate:

     If Fixed Rate Note:

         Interest Rate:  8.750%

         Interest Payment Date(s) (Monthly or Otherwise):  Semi-
         Annual on 04/15 and 10/15, Beginning on 04/15/95

     If Variable Rate Note:

         Base Rate:  N/A

         Initial Interest Rate:  N/A

         Interest Reset Period(s):  N/A

         Interest Payment Date(s) (Monthly or Otherwise): N/A

         Interest Reset Date(s):  N/A

         Spread, If Any:  N/A

         Maximum Interest Rate, If Any:  N/A

         Minimum Interest Rate, If Any:  N/A

Stated Maturity Date:  October 15, 2004

Purchase Price:  97.150% of Principal Amount

Issue Date:  October 20, 1994

Optional Redemption by the Company:

     Initial Optional Redemption Date:   10/15/97

     Redemption Price(s):                10/15/97 and
                                         thereafter - 100%

     Applicable Premium(s), if any:      None


                                        Principal Amount
                                            of Notes
     Agent                              to be Purchased
     -----                              ----------------

Kemper Securities, Inc.                 $         0.00
J.J.B. Hilliard, W.L. Lyons, Inc.            95,000.00
J. W. Korth & Company                        64,000.00
                                        --------------
     Total                              $   159,000.00
                                        ==============


                                   Per Note        Total
                                   --------        -----

Prices to Public:                  100.00%       $159,000.00

Underwriter's Discount
  or Commission                      2.85%         $4,531.50

Maximum Dealer's Discount or
  Selling Concession:                2.25%         $3,577.50

Proceeds to The Kroger Co.:         97.15%       $154,468.50


CUSIP Number:  50104R-EB-2

Terms defined in the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement are
used in this Pricing Supplement as so defined.


(R) Registered service mark of J. W. Korth & Company