X-RAY AND OPTICAL STUDY OF THE GIANT RADIO QUASAR 4C+74.26

We present the optical and X-ray study of the radio-loud quasar 4C +74 .26. The ASCA spectrum is rather complex with indications of a reflect ion component, a neutral iron line and a warm absorber. The underlying power law has a photon index of Gamma = 2.03 +/- 0.09. The soft X-ray flux in 1996 is nearly twice as high as that found in a ROSAT observa tion in 1993 without apparent spectral changes. The X-ray data support the picture deduced from previous radio observations that 4C +74.26 i s seen under a relative large angle (similar to 45 degrees) with respe ct to its jet axis. However, the rather unusual X-ray spectral propert ies might as well be a signature of the quasar's young evolutionary st atus. No interaction between the quasar and the nearby similar to 19 m ag galaxy could be found in the optical images.