As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 12, 1995


                                                        File No. 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------




                                   FORM S-8
                                       
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            _______________________
                                       
                     THE BUREAU OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS, INC.
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


               DELAWARE                                53-0040540
     (State or other jurisdiction of                (I.R.S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)                Identification No.)

          1231 25th Street, N.W.                          20037
             Washington, D.C.                           (Zip Code)
     (Address of Principal Executive
               Offices)


                       STOCK PURCHASE AND TRANSFER PLAN
                                      and
                     THE BNA DEFERRED STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
                           (Full Title of the Plan)


      William A. Beltz, CEO                         With a copy to:
      The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.
      1231 25th Street, N.W.                        David A. Massey
      Washington, D.C.  20037                       Sutherland, Asbill
      (202) 452-4252                                   and Brennan
      (Name, address and telephone number           1275 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
       of agent for service of process)             Washington, D.C.  20004
                                                    
<PAGE>2
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
                       Stock Purchase and Transfer Plan

                                                  Proposed
 Title of                         Proposed        Maximum
Securities           Amount       Maximum         Aggregate       Amount of
  To Be              to be        Offering        Offering       Registration
Registered         Registered     Per Share (1)    Price (1)          Fee

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             
Class A Common
 Stock, $1
 par value......     50,000        $24.75         $1,237,500        $426.73

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Deferred Stock Purchase Plan

                                                  Proposed
 Title of                         Proposed        Maximum
Securities           Amount       Maximum         Aggregate       Amount of
  To Be              to be        Offering        Offering       Registration
Registered         Registered     Per Share (1)    Price (1)          Fee

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             
Class A Common
 Stock, $1
 par value......     95,000       $24.75          $2,351,250        $810.78

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1)   In accordance with Rule 457(h) and General Instruction E to Form S-8,
      the aggregate offering price and the amount of the registration fee is
      computed with respect to the maximum number of the registrant's
      securities issuable under the plan that are covered by this registration
      statement.  The offering price per share of Class A Common Stock, as
      determined by the Company's Board of Directors, is $24.75, and such
      offering price applies to purchases of such stock under the Deferred
      Stock Purchase Plan and to purchases (and sales) of such stock under the
      Stock Purchase and Transfer Plan.

      In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of interests to be
offered or sold pursuant to the BNA Deferred Stock Purchase Plan.

<PAGE>3
      The contents of the registrant's registration statement on Form S-8
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") on September
13, 1990 (Commission file no. 33-36816) are incorporated by reference into
this registration statement.
<PAGE>4
      Item 8.  Exhibits.  In addition to those Exhibits previously filed in
Item 8 to the registration statement incorporated herein by reference, the
following exhibits are included with this registration statement in accordance
with General Instruction E to form S-8:


       5.1  Opinion of Eunice Lin Bumgardner

       5.2  Opinion of McDermott, Will & Emery.

      24.1  Consent of Eunice Lin Bumgardner (contained in Exhibit 5.1)

      24.2  Consent of McDermott, Will & Emery (contained in Exhibit 5.2).

      24.3  Consents of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP. 

<PAGE>5
                                  SIGNATURES

The Registrant
--------------
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Form
S-8 registration statement (incorporating the contents of its registration
statement filed September 13, 1990, registration number 33-36816), to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in
Washington, D.C. on the 7th day of September, 1995.

                              THE BUREAU OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS, INC.



                              By: s\ William A. Beltz
                                  _________________________________
                                    William A. Beltz
                                    CEO


      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities stated in each case as of the 7th day of September, 1995.  Each of
the undersigned officers and directors hereby severally constitutes Cynthia J.
Bolbach and Gilbert S. Lavine, and each of them singly, as true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact with full power to them, and each of them singly, to sign
for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below, and to file any and
all further amendments to the Registration Statement filed herewith, making 
such changes in the Registration Statement as the registrant deems
appropriate, and generally to do all things in our name and on our behalf as
officers and directors to enable The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. to
comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, and all requirements
of the Securities and Exchange Commission.


SIGNATURE                    TITLE                           DATE            
---------------------------------------------------------------------------


s\ William A. Beltz
__________________________    Chairman of the Board,       September 7, 1995
William A. Beltz                Chief Executive
                                Officer and Director

s\ George J. Korphage
__________________________    Vice President, Chief        September 7, 1995
George J. Korphage              Financial Officer
                                (Principal Accounting
                                Officer) and Director

s\ Jacqueline M. Blanchard
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
Jacqueline M. Blanchard

s\ John P. Boylan
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
John P. Boylan

<PAGE>6
s\ Robert B. Brooks
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
Robert B. Brooks

s\ Sandra C. Degler
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
Sandra C. Degler

s\ Kathleen D. Gill
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
Kathleen D. Gill

s\ John E. Jenc
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
John E. Jenc

s\ Eileen Z. Joseph
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
Eileen Z. Joseph

s\ John V. Schappi
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
John V. Schappi

s\ Frederick A. Schenck
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
Frederick A. Schenck

s\ Mary P. Swords
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
Mary P. Swords

s\ Daniel W. Toohey
__________________________    Director                     Septmeber 7, 1995
Daniel W. Toohey

s\ Loene Trubkin
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
Loene Trubkin

s\ Paul N. Wojcik
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
Paul N. Wojcik



The Deferred Plan. 
-----------------
 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Administrative Committee of the Deferred Plan has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in Washington, D.C. on the 7th day of September,
1995.

                                         THE BUREAU OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS, INC.
                                         DEFERRED STOCK PURCHASE PLAN



                                         By: s\ Jacqueline M. Blanchard
                                            _________________________________
                                            Jacqueline M. Blanchard
                                            (Chairman of the Committee)
<PAGE>7





                                   FORM S-8

                     THE BUREAU OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS, INC.

                              SEPTEMBER 12, 1995

                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Item                                           Sequential Page Number
----                                           ----------------------

 5.1    Opinion of Eunice Lin Bumgardner                    8

 5.2    Opinion of McDermott, Will & Emory                  9

24.1    Consent of Eunice Lin Bumgardner
            (contained in Exhibit 5.1)                      8

24.2    Consent of McDermott, Will & Emory
            (contained in Exhibit 5)                        9

24.3    Consents of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP                  12


<PAGE>8

The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.
Eunice Lin Bumgardner
1231 25th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20037

                                               September 11, 1995

Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street
Washington, D.C.  20549

      Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-8
           Relating to The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.
           Stock Purchase and Transfer Plan
           BNA Deferred Stock Purchase Plan

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      As General Counsel of The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), I am acting as counsel to the Company
in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act"), of the shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
(the "Common Stock"), issuable under the Stock Purchase and Transfer Plan (the
"SPTP") and The BNA Deferred Stock Purchase Plan (the "DSPP").  I am a member
of the Bars of the District of Columbia and Maryland.

      I am generally familiar with the properties and affairs of the Company
(including the SPTP and the DSPP).  I have also examined those records I
deemed necessary for the purpose of this opinion.  On that basis, I am of the
opinion that the 145,000 shares of Common Stock, when issued pursuant to the
terms of the SPTP and the DSPP, will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable shares of Common Stock.

      I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to the Plan.

                                               Sincerely,


                                               s\ Eunice Lin Bumgardner
                                               ------------------
                                               Eunice Lin Bumgardner


<PAGE>9

McDermott, Will & Emory
Larry E. Shapiro, P.C.
1850 K Street N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20006-2296

                                               September 12, 1995

BY MESSENGER
------------

The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.
1231 25th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037

      Attention:  Deferred Stock Purchase Plan Committee
                  --------------------------------------

      In connection with the Registration Statement which relates, among other
things, to the registration and offering of Class A common stock and the
purchase of such stock by the BNA Deferred Stock Purchase Plan, originally
adopted on April 17, 1982, and effective as of January 1, 1983 (the "Plan"),
we have examined the Plan and Trust Agreement thereunder (the "Trust
Agreement") and the amendments thereto (collectively the "Plan documents").

      The "Instructions as to Exhibits" to Form S-8 require an opinion of
counsel which confirms compliance of the provisions of the written documents
constituting the Plan with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income
Securities Act of 1974 ("ERISA") pertaining to such provisions.  Our opinion
relates only to the Plan's tax status under Section 401(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the Plan's status under the
applicable provisions of ERISA, and further relates to the Plan's form and not
to its operation.  We are, on the basis of such review, of the opinion that
the current status of the Plan with respect to compliance of the Plan
documents with the requirements of the Code and ERISA is as follows:

      The Plan is subject to certain requirements of the Code and ERISA.  The
Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. ("BNA") has received a determination letter
dated April 2, 1986 from the IRS, a copy of which letter is attached, to the
effect that the Plan as adopted on April 17, 1982 and effective as of January
1, 1983 and as amended on July 11, 1985 but effective as of January 1, 1985,
qualifies under Section 401(a) of the Code.  Subsequent to such determination
letter, the Plan has been amended in certain respects, generally effective as
of January 1, 1987, although certain amendments are effective at later dates.
On March 31, 1995, we submitted the amended Plan to the Internal Revenue Service
requesting its determination that the Plan, as amended, continues to qualify
under Section 401(a) of the Code.  We have not yet received a letter of
determination on this filing.

      To date only certain final and proposed regulations have been issued by
the IRS and the U.S. Department of Labor with respect to the requirements of
the Code, as amended by the Tax Reform Act of 1986, and ERISA.  Accordingly,
our opinion concerning compliance of the Plan documents with Section 401(a) of
the Code and the portion of ERISA not amendatory of the Code is necessarily
based on our present understanding of the applicable requirements of the Code
and ERISA.  BNA intends to request that a determination letter from the IRS be
issued stating that the Plan, as amended, continues to meet the requirements
of a qualified stock bonus plan under Section 401(a) of the Code and of a
qualified cash or deferred arrangement under Section 401(k) of the Code.  If
the IRS requires certain changes to the amended Plan as a condition to the
issuance of a determination letter, BNA has represented that such changes will
be made.  On the basis of the above, it is our opinion that (i) the amended
provisions of the Plan, adopted subsequent to the IRS determination, were
drafted with the intention of complying with the requirements of Section

<PAGE>10

401(a) of the Code and (ii) that the IRS should issue the requested
determination that the Plan continues to meet such requirements.

      Subject to the foregoing, it is also our opinion that the Plan documents
substantially comply with the applicable portions of ERISA which are not
amendatory of the Code.

      We hereby consent to the use of this opinion in connection with the
Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to
register the shares of Class A common stock to be offered as aforesaid.

                                               Very truly yours,

                                               MCDERMOTT, WILL & EMERY



                                               By:  s\ Larry E. Shapiro
                                                  -----------------------
                                                  Larry E. Shapiro, P.C.

Enclosure


<PAGE>11

Internal Revenue Service                             refer to:  52110033
Baltimore, MD                                  April 02, 1986   LTR 835C
                                               53-0040541P
                                                                   01733

Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.
1231 25th Street N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20037



District Office Code and
Case Serial Number:  525266083 EP
Name of Plan:  BNA Deferred Stock Purchase Plan

Application Form:  5301
Date Amended:  July 11, 1985
Employer Identification Number:  53-0040541
Plan Number:  002
File Number:  520012911

Dear Applicant:

Based on the information supplied, we have made a favorable determination on
your application identified above.  Please keep this letter in your permanent
records.

Continued qualification of the plan will depend on its effect in operation
under its present form.  (See section 1.401-1(b)(3) of the Income Tax
Regulations.)  The status of the plan in operation will be reviewed
periodically.

The enclosed document describes some events that could occur after you receive
this letter that would automatically nullify it without specific notice from
us.  The document also explains how operations of the plan may affect a
favorable determination letter, and contains information about filing
requirements.

This letter relates only to the status of your plan under the Internal Revenue
Code.  It is not a determination regarding the effect of other Federal or
local statutes.

This plan also satisfies the provisions of sec 401(k) of the Code.

We have sent a copy of this letter to your representative as indicated in the
power of attorney.

If you have any questions, please contact R D Morris at 962-2590.

                                         Sincerely yours,

                                         s\ Teddy R. Kern
                                         -----------------
                                         Teddy R. Kern

                                         District Director

Enclosure(s):
Publication 794
Publication OPWBP-515

<PAGE>12



                        Consent of Independent Auditors
                        -------------------------------

The Board of Directors
The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.:

We consent to the use of our report dated February 21, 1995, incorporated
herein by reference, which report appears in the December 31, 1994 annual
report on Form 10-K of The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.



                                             s\ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
                                             ------------------------
                                             KPMG Peat Marwick


Washington, D.C.
September 11, 1995

<PAGE>13

                        Consent of Independent Auditors
                        -------------------------------

The Administrative Committee of
The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.:

We consent to the use of our report dated March 10, 1995 incorporated herein by
reference, which report appears in the December 31, 1994 annual report on
Form 11-K of the BNA Deferred Stock Purchase Plan.



                                             s\ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
                                             ------------------------
                                             KPMG Peat Marwick LLP



Washington, D.C.
September 11, 1995
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "description": "THIS IS AN S-8 FILING", "secsgml_size_bytes": 20249}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "BUREAU OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS INC", "cik": "0000015393", "assigned-sic": "2711", "irs-number": "530040540", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "033-62555", "film-number": "95572987"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1231 25TH ST NW", "city": "WASHINGTON", "state": "DC", "zip": "20037", "phone": "2024524200"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1231 25TH ST NW", "city": "WASHINGTON", "state": "DC", "zip": "20037"}}
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 12, 1995

                                                        File No. 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                   FORM S-8
                                       
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            _______________________
                                       
                     THE BUREAU OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS, INC.
            (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

               DELAWARE                                53-0040540
     (State or other jurisdiction of                (I.R.S. Employer
     incorporation or organization)                Identification No.)

          1231 25th Street, N.W.                          20037
             Washington, D.C.                           (Zip Code)
     (Address of Principal Executive
               Offices)

                       STOCK PURCHASE AND TRANSFER PLAN
                                      and
                     THE BNA DEFERRED STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
                           (Full Title of the Plan)

      William A. Beltz, CEO                         With a copy to:
      The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.
      1231 25th Street, N.W.                        David A. Massey
      Washington, D.C.  20037                       Sutherland, Asbill
      (202) 452-4252                                   and Brennan
      (Name, address and telephone number           1275 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
       of agent for service of process)             Washington, D.C.  20004
2
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
                       Stock Purchase and Transfer Plan

                                                  Proposed
 Title of                         Proposed        Maximum
Securities           Amount       Maximum         Aggregate       Amount of
  To Be              to be        Offering        Offering       Registration
Registered         Registered     Per Share (1)    Price (1)          Fee

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             
Class A Common
 Stock, $1
 par value......     50,000        $24.75         $1,237,500        $426.73

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Deferred Stock Purchase Plan

                                                  Proposed
 Title of                         Proposed        Maximum
Securities           Amount       Maximum         Aggregate       Amount of
  To Be              to be        Offering        Offering       Registration
Registered         Registered     Per Share (1)    Price (1)          Fee

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             
Class A Common
 Stock, $1
 par value......     95,000       $24.75          $2,351,250        $810.78

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

(1)   In accordance with Rule 457(h) and General Instruction E to Form S-8,
      the aggregate offering price and the amount of the registration fee is
      computed with respect to the maximum number of the registrant's
      securities issuable under the plan that are covered by this registration
      statement.  The offering price per share of Class A Common Stock, as
      determined by the Company's Board of Directors, is $24.75, and such
      offering price applies to purchases of such stock under the Deferred
      Stock Purchase Plan and to purchases (and sales) of such stock under the
      Stock Purchase and Transfer Plan.

      In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate amount of interests to be
offered or sold pursuant to the BNA Deferred Stock Purchase Plan.
3
      The contents of the registrant's registration statement on Form S-8
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") on September
13, 1990 (Commission file no. 33-36816) are incorporated by reference into
this registration statement.
4
      Item 8.  Exhibits.  In addition to those Exhibits previously filed in
Item 8 to the registration statement incorporated herein by reference, the
following exhibits are included with this registration statement in accordance
with General Instruction E to form S-8:

       5.1  Opinion of Eunice Lin Bumgardner

       5.2  Opinion of McDermott, Will & Emery.

      24.1  Consent of Eunice Lin Bumgardner (contained in Exhibit 5.1)

      24.2  Consent of McDermott, Will & Emery (contained in Exhibit 5.2).

      24.3  Consents of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.
5
                                  SIGNATURES

The Registrant
--------------
      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Form
S-8 registration statement (incorporating the contents of its registration
statement filed September 13, 1990, registration number 33-36816), to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in
Washington, D.C. on the 7th day of September, 1995.

                              THE BUREAU OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS, INC.

                              By: s\ William A. Beltz
                                  _________________________________
                                    William A. Beltz
                                    CEO

      Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities stated in each case as of the 7th day of September, 1995.  Each of
the undersigned officers and directors hereby severally constitutes Cynthia J.
Bolbach and Gilbert S. Lavine, and each of them singly, as true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact with full power to them, and each of them singly, to sign
for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below, and to file any and
all further amendments to the Registration Statement filed herewith, making 
such changes in the Registration Statement as the registrant deems
appropriate, and generally to do all things in our name and on our behalf as
officers and directors to enable The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. to
comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, and all requirements
of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SIGNATURE                    TITLE                           DATE            
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

s\ William A. Beltz
__________________________    Chairman of the Board,       September 7, 1995
William A. Beltz                Chief Executive
                                Officer and Director

s\ George J. Korphage
__________________________    Vice President, Chief        September 7, 1995
George J. Korphage              Financial Officer
                                (Principal Accounting
                                Officer) and Director

s\ Jacqueline M. Blanchard
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
Jacqueline M. Blanchard

s\ John P. Boylan
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
John P. Boylan
6
s\ Robert B. Brooks
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
Robert B. Brooks

s\ Sandra C. Degler
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
Sandra C. Degler

s\ Kathleen D. Gill
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
Kathleen D. Gill

s\ John E. Jenc
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
John E. Jenc

s\ Eileen Z. Joseph
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
Eileen Z. Joseph

s\ John V. Schappi
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
John V. Schappi

s\ Frederick A. Schenck
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
Frederick A. Schenck

s\ Mary P. Swords
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
Mary P. Swords

s\ Daniel W. Toohey
__________________________    Director                     Septmeber 7, 1995
Daniel W. Toohey

s\ Loene Trubkin
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
Loene Trubkin

s\ Paul N. Wojcik
__________________________    Director                     September 7, 1995
Paul N. Wojcik

The Deferred Plan. 
-----------------
 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the
Administrative Committee of the Deferred Plan has duly caused this
Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in Washington, D.C. on the 7th day of September,
1995.

                                         THE BUREAU OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS, INC.
                                         DEFERRED STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

                                         By: s\ Jacqueline M. Blanchard
                                            _________________________________
                                            Jacqueline M. Blanchard
                                            (Chairman of the Committee)
7

                                   FORM S-8

                     THE BUREAU OF NATIONAL AFFAIRS, INC.

                              SEPTEMBER 12, 1995

                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Item                                           Sequential Page Number
----                                           ----------------------

 5.1    Opinion of Eunice Lin Bumgardner                    8

 5.2    Opinion of McDermott, Will & Emory                  9

24.1    Consent of Eunice Lin Bumgardner
            (contained in Exhibit 5.1)                      8

24.2    Consent of McDermott, Will & Emory
            (contained in Exhibit 5)                        9

24.3    Consents of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP                  12
8

The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.
Eunice Lin Bumgardner
1231 25th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20037

                                               September 11, 1995

Securities and Exchange Commission
Judiciary Plaza
450 Fifth Street
Washington, D.C.  20549

      Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-8
           Relating to The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.
           Stock Purchase and Transfer Plan
           BNA Deferred Stock Purchase Plan

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      As General Counsel of The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), I am acting as counsel to the Company
in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act"), of the shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share
(the "Common Stock"), issuable under the Stock Purchase and Transfer Plan (the
"SPTP") and The BNA Deferred Stock Purchase Plan (the "DSPP").  I am a member
of the Bars of the District of Columbia and Maryland.

      I am generally familiar with the properties and affairs of the Company
(including the SPTP and the DSPP).  I have also examined those records I
deemed necessary for the purpose of this opinion.  On that basis, I am of the
opinion that the 145,000 shares of Common Stock, when issued pursuant to the
terms of the SPTP and the DSPP, will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable shares of Common Stock.

      I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to the Plan.

                                               Sincerely,

                                               s\ Eunice Lin Bumgardner
                                               ------------------
                                               Eunice Lin Bumgardner
9

McDermott, Will & Emory
Larry E. Shapiro, P.C.
1850 K Street N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20006-2296

                                               September 12, 1995

BY MESSENGER
------------

The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.
1231 25th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037

      Attention:  Deferred Stock Purchase Plan Committee
                  --------------------------------------

      In connection with the Registration Statement which relates, among other
things, to the registration and offering of Class A common stock and the
purchase of such stock by the BNA Deferred Stock Purchase Plan, originally
adopted on April 17, 1982, and effective as of January 1, 1983 (the "Plan"),
we have examined the Plan and Trust Agreement thereunder (the "Trust
Agreement") and the amendments thereto (collectively the "Plan documents").

      The "Instructions as to Exhibits" to Form S-8 require an opinion of
counsel which confirms compliance of the provisions of the written documents
constituting the Plan with the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income
Securities Act of 1974 ("ERISA") pertaining to such provisions.  Our opinion
relates only to the Plan's tax status under Section 401(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and the Plan's status under the
applicable provisions of ERISA, and further relates to the Plan's form and not
to its operation.  We are, on the basis of such review, of the opinion that
the current status of the Plan with respect to compliance of the Plan
documents with the requirements of the Code and ERISA is as follows:

      The Plan is subject to certain requirements of the Code and ERISA.  The
Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. ("BNA") has received a determination letter
dated April 2, 1986 from the IRS, a copy of which letter is attached, to the
effect that the Plan as adopted on April 17, 1982 and effective as of January
1, 1983 and as amended on July 11, 1985 but effective as of January 1, 1985,
qualifies under Section 401(a) of the Code.  Subsequent to such determination
letter, the Plan has been amended in certain respects, generally effective as
of January 1, 1987, although certain amendments are effective at later dates.
On March 31, 1995, we submitted the amended Plan to the Internal Revenue Service
requesting its determination that the Plan, as amended, continues to qualify
under Section 401(a) of the Code.  We have not yet received a letter of
determination on this filing.

      To date only certain final and proposed regulations have been issued by
the IRS and the U.S. Department of Labor with respect to the requirements of
the Code, as amended by the Tax Reform Act of 1986, and ERISA.  Accordingly,
our opinion concerning compliance of the Plan documents with Section 401(a) of
the Code and the portion of ERISA not amendatory of the Code is necessarily
based on our present understanding of the applicable requirements of the Code
and ERISA.  BNA intends to request that a determination letter from the IRS be
issued stating that the Plan, as amended, continues to meet the requirements
of a qualified stock bonus plan under Section 401(a) of the Code and of a
qualified cash or deferred arrangement under Section 401(k) of the Code.  If
the IRS requires certain changes to the amended Plan as a condition to the
issuance of a determination letter, BNA has represented that such changes will
be made.  On the basis of the above, it is our opinion that (i) the amended
provisions of the Plan, adopted subsequent to the IRS determination, were
drafted with the intention of complying with the requirements of Section
10

401(a) of the Code and (ii) that the IRS should issue the requested
determination that the Plan continues to meet such requirements.

      Subject to the foregoing, it is also our opinion that the Plan documents
substantially comply with the applicable portions of ERISA which are not
amendatory of the Code.

      We hereby consent to the use of this opinion in connection with the
Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission to
register the shares of Class A common stock to be offered as aforesaid.

                                               Very truly yours,

                                               MCDERMOTT, WILL & EMERY

                                               By:  s\ Larry E. Shapiro
                                                  -----------------------
                                                  Larry E. Shapiro, P.C.

Enclosure
11

Internal Revenue Service                             refer to:  52110033
Baltimore, MD                                  April 02, 1986   LTR 835C
                                               53-0040541P
                                                                   01733

Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.
1231 25th Street N.W.
Washington, D.C.  20037

District Office Code and
Case Serial Number:  525266083 EP
Name of Plan:  BNA Deferred Stock Purchase Plan

Application Form:  5301
Date Amended:  July 11, 1985
Employer Identification Number:  53-0040541
Plan Number:  002
File Number:  520012911

Dear Applicant:

Based on the information supplied, we have made a favorable determination on
your application identified above.  Please keep this letter in your permanent
records.

Continued qualification of the plan will depend on its effect in operation
under its present form.  (See section 1.401-1(b)(3) of the Income Tax
Regulations.)  The status of the plan in operation will be reviewed
periodically.

The enclosed document describes some events that could occur after you receive
this letter that would automatically nullify it without specific notice from
us.  The document also explains how operations of the plan may affect a
favorable determination letter, and contains information about filing
requirements.

This letter relates only to the status of your plan under the Internal Revenue
Code.  It is not a determination regarding the effect of other Federal or
local statutes.

This plan also satisfies the provisions of sec 401(k) of the Code.

We have sent a copy of this letter to your representative as indicated in the
power of attorney.

If you have any questions, please contact R D Morris at 962-2590.

                                         Sincerely yours,

                                         s\ Teddy R. Kern
                                         -----------------
                                         Teddy R. Kern

                                         District Director

Enclosure(s):
Publication 794
Publication OPWBP-515
12

                        Consent of Independent Auditors
                        -------------------------------

The Board of Directors
The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.:

We consent to the use of our report dated February 21, 1995, incorporated
herein by reference, which report appears in the December 31, 1994 annual
report on Form 10-K of The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.

                                             s\ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
                                             ------------------------
                                             KPMG Peat Marwick

Washington, D.C.
September 11, 1995
13

                        Consent of Independent Auditors
                        -------------------------------

The Administrative Committee of
The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc.:

We consent to the use of our report dated March 10, 1995 incorporated herein by
reference, which report appears in the December 31, 1994 annual report on
Form 11-K of the BNA Deferred Stock Purchase Plan.

                                             s\ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
                                             ------------------------
                                             KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Washington, D.C.
September 11, 1995