Sunoco CEO Tells Analysts Company Is Positioned For Future Success SUNOCO LOGO The new Sunoco logo debuts Nov. 5, 1998. In use since 1920, the logo was last revised in 1954, when the arrow was moved from horizontal to diagonal and the lettering slightly changed. All the elements of the current logo are retained -- the blue and yellow colors, the diamond shape, the Sunoco name and the diagonal red arrow -- but changes in lettering and other design features give it a more contemporary look. (PR NewsFoto)[ES] PHILADELPHIA, PA USA 11/05/1998

8 December 2000

      Expects Operating Income in Fourth Quarter of $90 to $110 Million;
          Company Sets 2001 Capital Spending Program at $377 Million

    NEW YORK, Dec. 8 Speaking to financial analysts today in
New York City, Sunoco, Inc. executives said they expected strong
fourth quarter earnings and that steps taken in 2000 have significantly
strengthened and diversified the Company for the future.  Sunoco also
announced a capital program for 2001 of $377 million.  In a related
announcement today, the Company disclosed it had agreed to acquire 250 retail
gasoline sites from Coastal Corporation.  Financial terms of the transaction
were not disclosed.
    (Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19981105/PHTH006 )
    "2000 has been an outstanding year for Sunoco," said Sunoco Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, John G. Drosdick.  "We have generated exceptional
earnings this year and have taken several important strategic steps to
strengthen and grow our business portfolio.  We have significantly expanded
our Chemicals business through our C3 Polymers polypropylene joint venture and
our pending acquisition of Aristech Chemical Corporation.  We have positioned
our retail marketing business for future growth through our agreements to
acquire the Coastal retail sites and to build and operate outlets at Wal-Mart
locations in the northeast.  We have repurchased approximately five million of
our outstanding common shares (six percent) and begun a process to divest
selected assets of our Lubricants business.  At the same time, Sunoco's
refining operations have performed well in a very strong refining margin
environment and have been the foundation for the Company's excellent financial
results in 2000.
    "We are focused on continuing to improve our existing refining and
marketing operations, integrating the growth we have initiated this year, and
will continue to consider new growth in all of our businesses where it can add
value to the Company.  Our strategy is aimed at having a diversified mix of
businesses that will allow us to sustain and grow the earnings level we have
been able to achieve in 2000."
    With respect to operating earnings for the current quarter, Sunoco
executives noted that refining margins were strong in October and November and
that the Company expects to earn in the range of $1.05 to $1.30 per share
($90 to $110 million) versus the current consensus estimate of $.87 per share.
The Company indicated that if margins remained at their current levels through
the end of the quarter, it could earn near the upper end of that range.
Sunoco also disclosed that it expects to receive $130 million in cash and
recognize an after-tax non-operating gain of approximately $30 million in the
fourth quarter related to a previously disclosed tax settlement with the
Internal Revenue Service.
    Sunoco disclosed that the 2001 capital program includes $228 million for
base infrastructure spending, $43 million for refinery turnarounds and
$106 million for various growth projects.  The growth projects include
expenditures to improve refinery efficiency, grow Sunoco's retail marketing
network and expand certain logistics assets.  Sunoco estimated that 2000
capital spending is expected to be approximately $460 million.  The capital
totals exclude expenditures related to the recently announced acquisitions of
Aristech Chemical Corporation and the Coastal retail sites.  Sunoco indicated
that each of these acquisitions is subject to regulatory review but should be
completed by early 2001.
    Anyone interested in listening to a rebroadcast of the analyst meeting can
access it by logging on to Sunoco's website -- http://www.SunocoInc.com .
Alternatively, you may listen to the audio portion of the conference call
after the call's completion by calling 1-800-454-0161.

    NOTE:  Those statements made in this release that are not historical facts
are forward-looking statements intended to be covered by the safe harbor
provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Although Sunoco believes that the
assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, investors are
cautioned that such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and
necessarily involve risks that may affect Sunoco's business prospects and
performance causing actual results to differ from those discussed in the
foregoing release.  Such risks and uncertainties include, by way of example
and not of limitation: general business and economic conditions; competitive
products and pricing; changes in refining and other product margins;
fluctuations in supply of feedstocks and demand for products manufactured;
changes in operating conditions and costs; changes in the level of
environmental remediation spending; potential equipment malfunction; potential
labor relations problems; the legislative and regulatory environment; and
plant construction/repair delays.  These and other applicable risks and
uncertainties have been described more fully in Sunoco's third quarter
2000 Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
November 3, 2000.  Sunoco undertakes no obligation to update any forward-
looking statements in this release, whether as a result of new information or
future events.