  The latest observations of BL Lacertae with the EGRET instrument on CGRO show
that the gamma-ray flux was four times higher than the previous detection.
Within the 1997 July 15-22 observation there was a dramatic factor of 2.5
increase in the gamma-ray flux, with a sharp peak of about 8 hours, and
apparently preceding a brief optical flare by several hours. The gamma-ray
photon spectral index was significantly harder than that for the previous
detection.
