RARE B DECAYS AND DIRECT CP VIOLATION AT BABAR

The search for rare B decays and direct CF violation at BABAR is described. The following measurements (based on integrated luminosities ranging from 56.4 to 81.9 fb{sup -1}) are summarized: the inclusive branching fractions and direct CF asymmetries of B{sup +} {yields} h{sup +}h{sup -}H{sup +} (h = {pi}, K), the exclusive branching fractions of B{sup +} {yields} K{sup +}{pi}{sup -}{pi}{sup +} (where significant signals are observed in the B{sup +} {yields} K*{sup 0}(892){pi}{sup +}, B{sup +} {yields} f{sub 0}(98)K{sup +}, B{sup +} {yields} {chi}{sub c0}K{sup +}, B{sup +} {yields} {bar D}{sup 0}{pi}{sup +} and B{sup +} {yields} higher K*{sup 0}{pi}{sup +} channels), the branching fractions of B{sup +} {yields} {rho}{sup 0}{rho}{sup +} and B{sup +} {yields} {rho}{sup 0} K*{sup +}, and finally, the branching fractions, the longitudinal components, and the direct CF asymmetries in B {yields} {phi}K*.