EXHIBIT 99

THE COCA-COLA COMPANY

NEWS RELEASE
                         Media Relations Department
                         P.O. Drawer 1734, Atlanta, Ga. 30301
                         Telephone (404) 676-2121


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE    CONTACT: Randy Donaldson
                         (404) 676-3853



           BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COCA-COLA COMPANY
                    ELECTS M. DOUGLAS IVESTER
        CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


     ATLANTA, October 23, 1997 - The Board of Directors of The
Coca-Cola Company, at a special meeting here today, elected
M. Douglas Ivester chairman of the Board and chief executive
officer, the 10th chairman of the Board in the Company's history.

     Mr. Ivester, since 1994 president and chief operating
officer of the Company, succeeds Roberto C. Goizueta.

     "For nearly two decades, Doug Ivester has been a powerful
force in The Coca-Cola Company," said James B. Williams, chairman
of SunTrust Banks Inc. and chairman of the Finance Committee of
the Company's Board of Directors.  "Throughout his career, he has
shown the wisdom, the determination and the passion it takes to
lead this very special Company."


                            --more--

     "The Board knew from Roberto several years ago that Doug
Ivester was his choice to succeed him in this job," said Herbert
A. Allen, president and chief executive officer of Allen &
Company Incorporated and another Company director.  "Roberto
would be very happy knowing that Doug has taken on the job he had
been so carefully prepared to take."

     "We all owe, and I especially owe, a huge debt of gratitude
to the man who steered this company to phenomenal success over
the past 16 years," said Mr. Ivester.  "The Coca-Cola Company is
the strongest it has ever been because of Roberto's leadership
and absolute dedication to the business.
     
     "It is our obligation as a Company, and mine in this new
role, to continue to build on the legacy of success that Roberto
has left for us.  That is exactly what we intend to do."
     
     Mr. Ivester joined The Coca-Cola Company in 1979 as
assistant controller.  In the 18 years since, he has served as
chief financial officer, president of the Company's European and
North American businesses and, since 1994, as president of the
Company.
     
     "Stewardship of this Company is both a responsibility and a
challenge because Coca-Cola is more than a brand and a Company -
it is an unmatchable idea," said Mr. Ivester.  "It is an idea
based on the belief that Coca-Cola should benefit everything and
everyone it touches throughout the world."


                            --more--

      "The power of that idea combined with our other great
strengths - our talented people, our brands, our bottling
partners - will continue to create enormous opportunity for us
all over the world.  I look forward to working with all my
colleagues in capturing those opportunities."
     
     "Doug Ivester brings a perfect combination of talents to the
role of chief executive officer at this point in The Coca-Cola
Company's history," said Mr. Williams.  "Doug is equally adept at
charting the broad strategic direction of the Company while
remaining intently focused on the details - abilities that will
serve the Company and its share owners well for many years to
come."
     
     The Company also announced that Mr. Ivester will relinquish
the office of president in assuming his new responsibilities.
The office of president will not be filled at this time.
                                
                            #   #   #