
<PAGE>
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            Washington, D.C. 20549

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


                                   FORM 8-K

                                CURRENT REPORT

                    Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                        Securities Exchange Act of 1934

      Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):  April 17, 1997

                          Dean Witter, Discover & Co.
                          ---------------------------
                    (Exact name of Registrant as specified
                                in its charter)


          Delaware                1-11758                 36-3145972
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
         (state or other        (Commission            (I.R.S. Employer
         jurisdiction of        File Number)          Identification No.)
         incorporation)


               Two World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048
               ------------------------------------------------
              (Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

      Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 392-2222
                                                          --------------


   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                (Former address, if changed since last report.)


<PAGE>
 
Item 5.  Other Events
---------------------

        On April 17, 1997, Dean Witter, Discover & Co. (the "Registrant")
released financial information with respect to the quarter ended March 31, 1997.
A copy of the press release containing such financial information is annexed as
Exhibit 99.1 to this Report and by this reference incorporated herein and made a
part hereof.

Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

        99.1            Press release of the Registrant dated April 17, 1997
                        containing financial information for the quarter 
                        ended March 31, 1997.
<PAGE>
 

                                   SIGNATURE

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the 
undersigned, thereto duly authorized.


                                        DEAN WITTER, DISCOVER & CO.
                                        -----------------------------------
                                                (Registrant)

                                        By: /s/ Ronald T. Carman
                                        -----------------------------------
                                            Ronald T. Carman
                                            Senior Vice President


Dated:  April 17, 1997


<PAGE>
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549





                          DEAN WITTER, DISCOVER & CO.





                                   EXHIBITS
                             TO CURRENT REPORT ON
                        FORM 8-K DATED APRIL 17, 1997




                                                  Commission File Number 1-11758
<PAGE>
 

                                 Exhibit Index
                                 -------------


Exhibit No.             Description                             Page
-------------           -----------                             ----

99.1                    Press release of the Registrant dated
                        April 17, 1997 containing financial
                        information for the quarter ended
                        March 31, 1997.
