RNS No 6383t
CASSELL PLC
12th December 1997


                                CASSELL PLC                                   
                                    
                               Trading update

At  the  time  of the announcement of Cassell's interim results  for  the  six
months  ended  30 June 1997, attention was drawn to the adverse influences  of
the  strong  pound  and  changes of agency arrangements on  our  international
sales.   These factors have continued to impact on the overseas sales of  both
our  academic  and  general  divisions, a  position  which  has  been  further
exacerbated by slower than expected UK sales.

The  best-sellers in the general division, mentioned in the interim statement,
have been well received by the trade and the drive to increase margins in that
division  has  produced  the anticipated improvement but  this  has  not  been
sufficient to offset the adverse factors referred to above.

Consequently, the Board believes that, excluding the profit on the sale of the
children's list reported at the interim stage, profit before tax for the  year
ending  31  December 1997 will be significantly below market expectations  and
last year's level.

The current market situation is disappointing but the Board considers that its
strong programme for 1998, which includes a new Nick Hornby title, the Cassell
Thesaurus  and  the  Cordon Bleu range, will provide  the  springboard  for  a
successful year.  The Board believes that the improved gross margins  of  1997
will  be  further enhanced in 1998 through focusing on key selling  titles  in
line  with  trends  in the consumer trade. New marketing  initiatives  in  the
academic  division  are expected to redress current UK  sales  shortfalls  and
steps are also being taken to develop the marketing of our academic titles  in
the  United  States.   In  addition, a review  is  being  made  of  all  Group
overheads.

The Board expects that the above actions will assist in the Group achieving  a
more encouraging performance in 1998.

Enquiries:

Cassell plc
Philip Sturrock, chairman and chief executive
Tel: 0171 420 5555


END


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