This URL

http://www.microsoft.com/office/offsuite.asp?prev=111111

will show you a list of all MS Office 97 flavors.

Essentially, all previous respondents have given you the gist of the
differences between Standard and Professional edition.

What I have to add is that, unless Microsoft has incorporated its
patches onto recent retail editions, you'll need the SR-1 patch to
"enhance" your product.

There's at least two ways to do that:

1) Access the Microsoft page for the SR-1 patch (note: make sure your
browser is set to accept cookies; otherwise, you won't get through):

http://www.microsoft.com/office/office/enhancements/sr1off97.asp?prev=311111

2) If you buy the Professional edition and promptly register it, call
Microsoft at

1-800-370-9272

and request the free Enterprise Update CD. You'll get it in a few days.

OFFICE 97 ENHANCEMENTS

Register onsite to become an Office Update member and you may enhance
your Office 97 with various useful products: an Excel 97 auto-fix
recalculation patch, Draw 98, AutoShapes, additional Personal
Assistants, sounds for Personal Assistants...

http://www.microsoft.com/office/enhoffice.asp?prev=111111

When you're downloading from Microsoft's site on a modem line, you must
be patient. The site has a nerve-wracking tendency to start at a decent
speed and then keep slowing down, even if you try to download in the wee
hours of the morning. Many times, you'll just have to give up and come
back at some other time.

J. Vaquer Jr.