FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
     Patrick C. Jackman (202) 606-7000      USDL-97-410
 CPI QUICKLINE:         (202) 606-6994      TRANSMISSION OF MATERIAL IN
 FOR CURRENT AND HISTORICAL                 THIS RELEASE IS EMBARGOED
     INFORMATION:       (202) 606-7828      UNTIL 8:30 A.M. (EST)
 MEDIA CONTACT:         (202) 606-5902      Tuesday, November 18, 1997
 INTERNET ADDRESS:    http://stats.bls.gov/cpihome.htm
                                     
                    CONSUMER PRICE INDEX:  OCTOBER 1997
 
     The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.2
 percent before seasonal adjustment in October to a level of 161.6 (1982-
 84=100), the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor
 reported today.  For the 12-month period ended in October, the CPI-U
 increased 2.1 percent.
 
     The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers
 (CPI-W) rose 0.1 percent  in October, prior to seasonal adjustment.  The
 October 1997 CPI-W level of 158.5 was 1.9 percent higher than the index in
 October 1996.
 
 CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
     
     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U rose 0.2 percent in October,
 the same as in each of the preceding three months.  The food index
 increased 0.2 percent in October.  Grocery store food prices, which
 declined slightly in September, also increased 0.2 percent in October,
 reflecting a sharp increase in prices for dairy products.  The energy
 index, which increased 1.3 percent in September, moderated substantially,
 rising 0.1 percent in October.  The index for petroleum-based energy
 declined 0.4 percent, while the index for energy services rose 0.5
 percent.  Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U rose 0.2 percent, the same
 as in September.

 Table A.  Percent changes in CPI for Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
                                   Seasonally adjusted                Un-
                                                          Compound  adjusted
     Expenditure        Changes from preceding month    annual rate  12-mos.
      Category                      1997               3-mos. ended  ended
                     Apr.  May June July Aug. Sep. Oct.   Oct.'97   Oct.'97
 All Items            .1    .1   .1   .2   .2   .2   .2    2.5       2.1
  Food and beverages -.2    .4   .2   .3   .4   .1   .2    2.8       1.9
  Housing             .2    .1   .3   .2   .1   .3   .3    2.3       2.4
  Apparel and upkeep  .9    .1  -.2   .2 -1.0   .3   .1   -2.4       1.1
  Transportation     -.4   -.8  -.3   .1   .6   .4   .1    4.5        .4
  Medical care        .3    .3   .2   .0   .2   .2   .1    1.9       2.5
  Entertainment       .1    .2   .5   .1   .2  -.2   .2     .7       1.9
  Other goods                                                           
   and services       .8    .2   .2   .3   .6   .3   .7    6.4       4.8
 Special Indexes:                                                       
  Energy            -1.5  -2.4   .0  -.1  1.7  1.3   .1   12.7        .9
  Food               -.2    .4   .2   .3   .4   .1   .2    2.8       1.8
  All items less                                                        
   food and energy    .3    .2   .1   .2   .1   .2   .2    1.9       2.3
     
    See page 4 for a note on the future use of a hedonic model to adjust
 personal computer prices in the CPI for changes in quality.
              
     For the first 10 months of 1997, the CPI -U advanced at a 1.8 percent
 seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR).  This compares with an increase of
 3.3 percent in all of 1996.  The energy and food components have been
 largely responsible for the moderation thus far in 1997.  The energy index
 has declined at a 2.1 percent SAAR, while food prices have risen at a 1.8
 percent annual rate.  Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U has risen at a
 2.2 percent SAAR in the first 10 months of 1997, following a 2.6 percent
 increase in all of 1996.
 
     The food and beverage index rose 0.2 percent in October.  The index for
 grocery store food prices, which fell  0.1 percent in September, increased
 0.2 percent in October.  A sharp increase in the index for dairy products
 and an upturn in the index for fruits and vegetables were largely
 responsible for the October advance.   Prices for dairy products, which
 rose 0.1 percent in both August and September after registering declines
 in each of the preceding eight months, increased 1.5 percent in October.
 The index for fruits and vegetables rose 0.3 percent in October, following
 a decline of the same magnitude in September.  The index for fresh fruits
 rose 0.8 percent, while the index for fresh vegetables was unchanged in
 October.  The index for processed fruits and vegetables rose 0.1 percent.
 The index for cereal and bakery products  increased 0.2 percent, the same
 as in September.  Advances in these grocery store food groups was
 partially offset by the deceleration in the indexes for meats, poultry,
 fish, and eggs and for other food at home, which declined 0.3 and 0.1
 percent, respectively, in October.  Within the former group, prices for
 beef, pork, and poultry all declined in October.  The decline in the index
 for other food at home reflects a drop in coffee prices, which fell 1.8
 percent in October, following a 0.5 percent decrease in September.  In the
 six-month period ended in August, coffee prices had registered increases
 totaling 24.2 percent.  The other two components of the food and beverage
 index--restaurant meals and alcoholic beverages--each increased 0.1
 percent.
 
     The housing component rose 0.3 percent in October, the same as in
 September.  Shelter costs rose 0.3 percent.  Within shelter, renters'
 costs increased 0.6 percent; homeowners' costs, 0.2 percent;  and
 maintenance and repair costs, 1.5 percent.  The increase in renters' costs
 reflects a 1.6 percent  rise in the index for lodging while out of town;
 residential rents rose 0.2 percent.  The index for fuel and other
 utilities, which rose 0.6 percent in September, increased 0.3 percent in
 October.  The index for household fuels rose 0.4 percent, as a 2.4 percent
 increase in the index for natural gas more than offset decreases in the
 indexes for fuel oil and electricity--each down 0.4 percent.  The index
 for other utilities and public services rose 0.1 percent.  The index for
 telephone services rose 0.2 percent, as increases in charges for local
 services and interstate toll calls were partially offset by a 0.6 percent
 drop in charges for intrastate toll calls.  The index for household
 furnishings and operation increased 0.1 percent in October, the same as in
 September.
 
     The transportation component, which rose 0.4 percent in September,
 increased 0.1 percent in October.  A sharp increase in public
 transportation costs--up 2.7 percent in October--more than offset a
 downturn in private transportation costs.  The index for airline fares,
 which rose 2.1 percent in September, increased 3.8 percent in October.
 Other intercity transportation costs also advanced in October, increasing
 1.0 percent.  On the other hand,  private transportation costs declined
 0.2 percent, reflecting decreases in the indexes for new vehicles, used
 cars, and motor fuel. The index for gasoline, which had increased sharply
 in each of the two preceding months, declined 0.6 percent in October.
 (Prior to seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices fell 2.5 percent.)  New
 vehicle purchase costs declined in October; the index for new vehicle
 prices decreased 0.3 percent  and automobile finance charges dropped 0.1
 percent.  (Prior to seasonal adjustment, new vehicle prices increased 0.4
 percent.  As of October, about 25 percent of the new vehicle sample was
 represented by 1998 models.  The 1998 models will continue to be phased
 in, with appropriate adjustments for quality change, over the next several
 months as they replace old models at dealerships.  For a report on quality
 change for the 1998 vehicles represented in the Producer Price Index
 sample, see news release USDL-97-403, dated November 14, 1997.)  The index
 for used cars declined 0.5 percent.
 
     The index for apparel and upkeep increased 0.1 percent in October,
 following a 0.3 percent rise in September.  (Prior to seasonal adjustment,
 apparel commodity prices rose 1.5 percent, reflecting seasonal price
 increases for fall-winter wear.)
 
     Medical care costs rose 0.1 percent in October to a level 2.5 percent
 above a year ago.  The index for medical care commodities--prescription
 drugs, nonprescription drugs, and medical supplies-was virtually
 unchanged.  The index for medical care services rose 0.1 percent.  Charges
 for professional services and for hospital and related services each
 increased 0.2 percent.
 
 
     Entertainment costs, which decreased 0.2 percent in September, rose 0.2
 percent in October.  Increases in the indexes for club memberships and for
 fees for participant sports more than offset declines in all other major
 entertainment categories.
 
     The index for other goods and services rose 0.7 percent in October,
 following an increase of 0.3 percent in September.  The index for tobacco
 and smoking products, which rose 1.4 percent in September, increased 1.5
 percent in October.
 
 CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W)
 
      On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and
 Clerical Workers rose 0.2 percent in October.

 Table B.  Percent changes in CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical
 Workers (CPI-W)
                                   Seasonally adjusted                Un-
                                                          Compound  adjusted
     Expenditure        Changes from preceding month    annual rate  12-mos.
      Category                      1997               3-mos. ended  ended
                     Apr.  May June July Aug. Sep. Oct.   Oct. '97  Oct. '97
 All Items            .0    .0   .1   .2   .2   .3   .2    2.6       1.9
  Food and beverages -.2    .4   .2   .3   .4   .1   .2    2.6       1.9
  Housing             .1    .1   .3   .2   .0   .3   .2    2.1       2.5
  Apparel and upkeep 1.0    .2  -.3   .2 -1.0   .2   .1   -3.0       1.1
  Transportation     -.6  -1.0  -.4   .1   .7   .4  -.1    4.3        .1
  Medical care        .3    .3   .2   .1   .2   .2   .2    2.2       2.5
  Entertainment       .1    .1   .5   .1   .4  -.2   .1    1.0       1.8
  Other goods                                                           
   and services      1.0    .1   .0   .3   .5   .5   .8    7.4       5.0
 Special Indexes:                                                       
  Energy            -1.9  -2.4    0  -.2  2.0  1.2   .1   14.0        .8
  Food               -.2    .3   .3   .3   .3   .1   .2    2.6       1.8
  All items less                                                        
   food and energy    .3    .2   .1   .2   .0   .2   .2    1.4       2.1
 

     After seasonal adjustment, the level of the CPI-U for All Items was
 161.6 in October; the seasonally adjusted CPI-W for All Items was 158.5.
 
     Beginning with January 1997 data, BLS is reporting the level of the
 seasonally adjusted U.S. City Average All Items CPI-U and CPI-W in this
 monthly news release.  Effective with the release of January 1998 data in
 February 1998, the seasonally adjusted All Items indexes will be fully
 integrated into the releases, appearing in tables 2 and 5 and in the text
 where relevant.  Like other seasonally adjusted CPI data, the All Items
 index levels are subject to revision for up to five years after their
 original release.  For this reason, BLS advises against the use of these
 data in escalation agreements.
 
     Consumer Price Index data for November are scheduled for release on
 Tuesday, December 16, 1997, at 8:30 A.M. (EST).
 
 
     Using a hedonic model to adjust prices of personal computers in the
 Consumer Price Index for changes in quality
     
     Effective with the release of data for January 1998, the Bureau of
 Labor Statistics (BLS) will introduce an improved quality adjustment
 technique in the new stratum of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) called
 Personal Computers and Peripheral Equipment.
     
     Currently, personal computers are part of the Information Processing
 Equipment stratum.  As previously announced, beginning with the CPI for
 January 1998, Information Processing Equipment will become an
 expenditure class entitled Information and Information Processing Other
 Than Telephone Services.  Personal Computers and Peripheral Equipment
 will be one of four strata in that expenditure class.
     
     Analysts in the Producer Price Index (PPI) program have developed
 and implemented a regression procedure, called a hedonic model, that
 decomposes the price of personal computers into implicit prices for each
 important feature and component of the computer.  This model, which has
 been used in the PPI since 1991, provides a way to estimate the value of
 changes or improvements.  The CPI has used similar hedonic methods to
 adjust apparel prices for many years.
     
     Starting with the CPI for January 1998, when a personal computer or
 selected item of peripheral equipment, such as a modem, in the CPI
 sample improves in some way, a regression-based quality adjustment will
 be made.  The value of the improvement, as derived from the PPI
 regression estimates, will be deducted from the observed price change
 for the product.  (Conversely, if a model deteriorates, the value of the
 difference will be added to the price.)
     
     Additional information on these changes will be published in the
 June 1997 CPI Detailed Report and is available on the Internet (at
 http://stats.bls.gov/cpihome.htm).  This information can also be
 obtained by writing to Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of Consumer
 Prices and Price Indexes, Room 3260, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE,
 Washington, DC 20212 or by telephoning  Joseph Chelena at (202) 606-6982
 ext. 255.
 
  
 
 Table 1. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service
 group

 (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

                                               Relative   Unadjusted indexes       Unadjusted             Seasonally adjusted
                                              importance,                       percent change to         percent change from-
                                               December     Sept.     Oct.       Oct. 1997 from-     July to    Aug. to    Sept. to
                                                 1996       1997      1997    Oct. 1996  Sept. 1997    Aug.      Sept.       Oct.

             Expenditure category

 All items ..................................   100.000     161.2     161.6        2.1        0.2        0.2        0.2        0.2
 All items (1967=100) .......................      -        483.0     484.1        -          -          -          -          -

   Food and beverages .......................    17.484     158.4     158.7        1.9         .2         .4         .1         .2
     Food ...................................    15.913     157.9     158.2        1.8         .2         .4         .1         .2
       Food at home .........................    10.040     158.6     159.0        1.4         .3         .6        -.1         .2
         Cereals and bakery products ........     1.479     178.1     178.4        1.9         .2         .2         .2         .2
         Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .....     3.002     149.1     148.9         .7        -.1         .1        -.2        -.3
         Dairy products 1/ ..................     1.245     143.5     145.7       -2.4        1.5         .1         .1        1.5
         Fruits and vegetables 2/ ...........     1.974     188.1     188.5        1.8         .2        2.8        -.3         .3
         Other food at home .................     2.340     148.9     149.0        3.5         .1         .1         .2        -.1
           Sugar and sweets .................      .331     148.5     148.2        1.7        -.2        -.8         .5        -.3
           Fats and oils ....................      .246     142.0     141.7         .1        -.2         .4         .7        -.6
           Nonalcoholic beverages ...........      .724     136.7     136.6        7.1        -.1         .0        -.1        -.2
           Other prepared food ..............     1.039     161.9     162.5        2.5         .4         .2         .4         .1
       Food away from home ..................     5.873     157.8     158.2        2.6         .3         .2         .3         .1
     Alcoholic beverages ....................     1.571     163.5     163.7        2.2         .1         .3         .2         .1

   Housing 2/ ...............................    41.203     157.7     157.7        2.4         .0         .1         .3         .3
     Shelter ................................    28.194     177.2     177.8        3.1         .3         .2         .2         .3
       Renters' costs 3/ 4/..................     7.994     186.8     187.7        3.5         .5         .2         .4         .6
         Rent, residential ..................     5.731     167.8     168.2        3.0         .2         .3         .3         .2
         Other renters' costs 4/ ............     2.263     222.8     225.4        4.9        1.2         .0         .4        1.7
       Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/...............    20.000     182.8     183.3        2.9         .3         .3         .1         .2
         Owners' equivalent rent 3/ .........    19.616     183.2     183.6        2.9         .2         .3         .1         .2
         Household insurance 3/ 4/ ..........      .383     166.8     166.9        2.1         .1         .4         .7        -.1
       Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ........      .200     142.6     144.7        3.2        1.5         .1       -2.0        1.5
         Maintenance and repair
             services 1/ 4/ .................      .123     150.2     153.4        4.1        2.1         .4       -2.7        2.1
         Maintenance and repair
             commodities 1/ 4/ ..............      .077     132.1     132.7        1.7         .5        -.4        -.8         .5
     Fuel and other utilities 2/ ............     7.102     132.1     130.8        1.6       -1.0        -.5         .6         .3
       Fuels ................................     3.878     119.7     117.4        1.0       -1.9        -.8        1.0         .4
         Fuel oil and other household fuel
             commodities ....................      .424      93.7      95.3       -7.4        1.7        -.7         .1        -.3
         Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
             services).......................     3.453     128.1     125.1        2.0       -2.3        -.8        1.1         .5
       Other utilities and public
           services 4/ ......................     3.224     162.3     162.5        2.5         .1        -.2         .3         .1
     Household furnishings and operation 2/ .     5.908     125.4     125.4         .3         .0        -.3         .1         .1
       Housefurnishings 4/ ..................     3.332     110.2     110.1        -.9        -.1        -.5        -.1         .1
       Housekeeping supplies ................     1.093     143.2     143.3        1.2         .1        -.6         .1        -.1
       Housekeeping services 4/ .............     1.482     153.2     153.3        2.3         .1         .4         .3         .1

   Apparel and upkeep .......................     5.330     133.0     134.9        1.1        1.4       -1.0         .3         .1
     Apparel commodities 4/ .................     4.786     129.2     131.2         .9        1.5       -1.0         .3         .1
       Men's and boys' apparel ..............     1.280     131.4     133.1        3.0        1.3         .1         .4         .2
       Women's and girls' apparel............     2.102     126.0     128.3         .9        1.8       -2.0        1.0        -.5
       Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ....      .186     126.7     126.2       -1.8        -.4       -3.0        -.5        -.4
       Footwear .............................      .718     127.4     130.6        2.0        2.5         .6        -.5        1.5
       Other apparel commodities 4/..........      .500     145.3     145.5       -4.3         .1       -1.2       -1.0         .3
     Apparel services 1/ 4/ .................      .545     163.7     163.7        1.9         .0         .1         .1         .0

   Transportation ...........................    17.140     144.3     144.5         .4         .1         .6         .4         .1
     Private transportation .................    15.499     141.0     140.9         .3        -.1         .9         .4        -.2
       New vehicles .........................     4.955     142.7     143.3        -.3         .4        -.1         .1        -.3
         New cars ...........................     3.952     140.0     140.6        -.6         .4        -.1         .0        -.2
       Used cars ............................     1.278     148.2     147.9       -5.8        -.2        -.8        -.1        -.5
       Motor fuel ...........................     3.171     109.3     106.7         .8       -2.4        4.9        1.7        -.5
         Gasoline ...........................      -        109.2     106.5        1.2       -2.5        5.4        1.8        -.6
       Maintenance and repairs ..............     1.533     163.5     163.9        2.1         .2         .1        -.1         .2
       Other private transportation 4/.......     4.562     176.9     178.4        1.7         .8        -.1         .1        -.1
         Other private transportation
             commodities 4/..................      .589     104.6     104.3        -.7        -.3        -.6        -.2        -.3
         Other private transportation
             services 4/ ....................     3.973     194.0     196.0        2.1        1.0         .0         .2         .0
     Public transportation ..................     1.642     186.0     190.9        2.0        2.6       -1.9        1.2        2.7

   Medical care .............................     7.346     235.4     235.8        2.5         .2         .2         .2         .1
     Medical care commodities ...............     1.273     215.3     215.6        1.5         .1        -.1         .1         .0
     Medical care services ..................     6.073     240.0     240.5        2.7         .2         .3         .2         .1
       Professional medical services ........     3.472     216.4     216.8        3.1         .2         .3         .1         .2

   Entertainment 4/ .........................     4.352     163.0     163.1        1.9         .1         .2        -.2         .2
     Entertainment commodities 4/ ...........     1.957     144.7     144.3         .5        -.3         .6         .1        -.2
     Entertainment services 4/ ..............     2.395     184.2     184.9        3.0         .4         .1        -.5         .5

   Other goods and services 2/ ..............     7.145     228.1     229.4        4.8         .6         .6         .3         .7
     Tobacco and smoking products ...........     1.601     246.5     250.2        6.3        1.5         .7        1.4        1.5
     Personal care 1/ .......................     1.145     152.7     153.3        1.6         .4        -.1         .1         .4
       Toilet goods and personal care
           appliances 1/ ....................      .588     143.7     144.5        -.1         .6        -.1         .1         .6
       Personal care services 1/ ............      .557     162.8     163.4        3.5         .4         .1         .1         .4
     Personal and educational expenses 4/ ...     4.398     264.9     265.6        5.2         .3         .7        -.1         .5
       School books and supplies ............      .264     241.5     242.4        5.2         .4         .7        -.1         .7
       Personal and educational services 4/ .     4.134     266.9     267.5        5.2         .2         .7        -.1         .5









 Table 1. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service
 group - Continued

 (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

                                               Relative   Unadjusted indexes       Unadjusted             Seasonally adjusted
                                              importance,                       percent change to         percent change from-
                                               December     Sept.     Oct.       Oct. 1997 from-     July to    Aug. to    Sept. to
                                                 1996       1997      1997    Oct. 1996  Sept. 1997    Aug.      Sept.       Oct.

         Commodity and service group

 All items ..................................   100.000     161.2     161.6        2.1         .2         .2         .2         .2
   Commodities ..............................    42.873     142.1     142.4        1.0         .2         .4         .3         .0
     Food and beverages .....................    17.484     158.4     158.7        1.9         .2         .4         .1         .2
     Commodities less food and beverages ....    25.389     132.2     132.5         .3         .2         .3         .4         .0
       Nondurables less food and beverages ..    15.147     135.5     135.8        1.3         .2         .6         .7         .1
         Apparel commodities 4/ .............     4.786     129.2     131.2         .9        1.5       -1.0         .3         .1
         Nondurables less food, beverages,
             and apparel ....................    10.362     141.9     141.3        1.5        -.4        1.5         .8        -.1
       Durables .............................    10.242     127.6     127.8       -1.2         .2        -.3        -.1        -.1
   Services .................................    57.127     180.6     181.0        3.0         .2         .1         .2         .3
     Rent of shelter 3/ .....................    27.577     184.4     185.0        3.1         .3         .3         .2         .3
     Household services less rent of
         shelter 3/ 4/.......................     8.698     147.7     146.4        2.2        -.9        -.5         .6         .4
     Transportation services ................     7.148     184.7     186.9        2.0        1.2        -.4         .3         .6
     Medical care services ..................     6.073     240.0     240.5        2.7         .2         .3         .2         .1
     Other services .........................     7.631     212.2     212.7        4.1         .2         .4        -.2         .4

               Special indexes

 All items less food ........................    84.087     161.8     162.2        2.1         .2         .1         .3         .2
 All items less shelter .....................    71.806     156.6     156.9        1.8         .2         .2         .3         .2
 All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/......    80.000     162.0     162.4        1.9         .2         .2         .2         .2
 All items less medical care ................    92.654     157.1     157.4        2.1         .2         .2         .3         .2
 Commodities less food ......................    26.960     133.5     133.8         .5         .2         .3         .4        -.1
 Nondurables less food ......................    16.718     137.2     137.4        1.4         .1         .5         .7         .1
 Nondurables less food and apparel ..........    11.932     143.0     142.5        1.6        -.3        1.6         .8        -.1
 Nondurables ................................    32.631     147.1     147.4        1.6         .2         .5         .4         .0
 Services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/ ........    29.550     189.5     189.8        2.8         .2        -.2         .3         .4
 Services less medical care services ........    51.054     175.1     175.5        3.0         .2         .1         .2         .5
 Energy .....................................     7.049     113.9     111.5         .9       -2.1        1.7        1.3         .1
 All items less energy ......................    92.951     167.6     168.3        2.2         .4         .1         .2         .2
   All items less food and energy ...........    77.038     170.0     170.8        2.3         .5         .1         .2         .2
     Commodities less food and
         energy commodities .................    23.364     142.0     142.7         .5         .5        -.3         .2         .1
       Energy commodities ...................     3.596     107.7     105.7        -.1       -1.9        4.3        1.5        -.4
     Services less energy services ..........    53.674     186.0     186.7        3.0         .4         .2         .2         .3
 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar:
   1982-84=$1.00 1/ .........................      -        $.620     $.619       -2.1        -.2        -.2        -.3        -.2
   1967=$1.00 1/ ............................      -         .207      .207        -          -          -          -          -


    1/     Not seasonally adjusted.
    2/     This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 1998.
    3/     Indexes on a December 1982=100 base.
    4/     This index series will no longer appear in its present form after December, 1997.
           See Table X for a comparable index series.
    -      Data not available.
    NOTE:  Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.


  Table 2. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): Seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by expenditure category and
  commodity and service group

  (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

                                                   Seasonally adjusted indexes             Seasonally adjusted annual rate
                                                                                                 percent change for
                                                                                         3 months ended-           6 months ended-
                                                  July    Aug.    Sept.   Oct.    Jan.    Apr.    July    Oct.     Apr.      Oct.
                                                  1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997     1997      1997

               Expenditure category

  All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        2.8     1.5     1.5     2.5      2.2       2.0

    Food and beverages .........................   157.9   158.6   158.7   159.0      .8      .5     3.6     2.8       .6       3.2
      Food .....................................   157.6   158.3   158.4   158.7      .5      .5     3.6     2.8       .5       3.2
        Food at home ...........................   158.2   159.2   159.1   159.4    -1.3     -.5     4.4     3.1      -.9       3.7
          Cereals and bakery products ..........   177.7   178.0   178.3   178.7     2.1      .0     3.2     2.3      1.0       2.7
          Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......   149.3   149.4   149.1   148.7     2.5    -2.7     4.4    -1.6      -.1       1.4
          Dairy products 1/ ....................   143.3   143.4   143.5   145.7    -4.0    -5.6    -6.4     6.9     -4.8        .0
          Fruits and vegetables 2/..............   186.2   191.4   190.8   191.4   -11.0    -1.5    10.8    11.6     -6.4      11.2
          Other food at home ...................   148.6   148.7   149.0   148.8     2.0     5.7     5.9      .5      3.8       3.2
            Sugar and sweets ...................   148.8   147.6   148.4   147.9     4.2     1.9     3.3    -2.4      3.0        .4
            Fats and oils ......................   141.0   141.5   142.5   141.7      .9      .3    -2.8     2.0       .6       -.4
            Nonalcoholic beverages .............   137.1   137.1   136.9   136.6      .9    11.7    18.2    -1.5      6.2       7.9
            Other prepared food ................   161.2   161.5   162.1   162.3     2.5     3.6     1.0     2.8      3.1       1.9
        Food away from home ....................   157.1   157.4   157.8   158.0     3.2     2.3     2.3     2.3      2.7       2.3
      Alcoholic beverages ......................   162.9   163.4   163.7   163.8     3.0     1.0     2.7     2.2      2.0       2.5

    Housing 2/ .................................   156.8   156.9   157.3   157.7     3.4     1.8     2.3     2.3      2.6       2.3
      Shelter ..................................   176.2   176.6   177.0   177.5     2.8     3.5     3.0     3.0      3.2       3.0
        Renters' costs 3/ 4/....................   185.3   185.7   186.4   187.6     3.8     3.8     1.7     5.1      3.8       3.4
          Rent, residential ....................   166.8   167.3   167.8   168.2     3.0     2.7     3.2     3.4      2.8       3.3
          Other renters' costs 4/ ..............   223.7   223.8   224.8   228.6     6.0     6.5    -1.6     9.1      6.2       3.6
        Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/ ................   181.9   182.4   182.6   182.9     2.7     3.2     3.4     2.2      2.9       2.8
          Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ...........   182.3   182.8   183.0   183.3     2.7     3.2     3.6     2.2      2.9       2.9
          Household insurance 3/ 4/ ............   165.1   165.7   166.8   166.7    -1.0     3.2     2.2     3.9      1.1       3.1
        Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ..........   145.4   145.5   142.6   144.7     3.8     2.9     8.4    -1.9      3.3       3.1
          Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/    153.8   154.4   150.2   153.4     2.5     1.9    13.8    -1.0      2.2       6.1
          Maintenance and repair
              commodities 1/ 4/ ................   133.7   133.1   132.1   132.7     6.3     3.4      .3    -3.0      4.8      -1.3
      Fuel and other utilities 2/...............   130.5   129.9   130.7   131.1     7.0    -3.0      .9     1.9      1.9       1.4
        Fuels ..................................   116.3   115.4   116.5   117.0    10.4    -6.9    -1.4     2.4      1.4        .5
          Fuel oil and other household fuel
              commodities ......................    97.4    96.7    96.8    96.5    15.8   -25.9   -11.4    -3.6     -7.3      -7.6
          Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
              services).........................   123.8   122.8   124.1   124.7    10.2    -4.4     -.3     2.9      2.6       1.3
        Other utilities and public services 4/ .   162.3   162.0   162.5   162.7     3.1     1.5     4.3     1.0      2.3       2.6
      Household furnishings and operation 2/ ...   125.5   125.1   125.2   125.3      .0     1.0     1.0     -.6       .5        .2
        Housefurnishings 4/ ....................   110.6   110.1   110.0   110.1     -.4    -1.1     -.4    -1.8      -.7      -1.1
        Housekeeping supplies ..................   144.0   143.1   143.3   143.1     2.3     2.0     2.8    -2.5      2.1        .1
        Housekeeping services 4/ ...............   152.1   152.7   153.1   153.3     -.8     4.1     2.7     3.2      1.6       2.9

    Apparel and upkeep .........................   133.5   132.2   132.6   132.7     3.1     3.4      .3    -2.4      3.2      -1.0
      Apparel commodities 4/ ...................   129.6   128.3   128.7   128.8     3.2     3.5     -.3    -2.4      3.3      -1.4
        Men's and boys' apparel ................   130.4   130.5   131.0   131.2     6.8     2.5      .3     2.5      4.6       1.4
        Women's and girls' apparel .............   126.8   124.3   125.5   124.9     6.6     3.5      .0    -5.9      5.1      -3.0
        Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ......   131.3   127.3   126.7   126.2    -1.9    19.4    -7.0   -14.7      8.3     -10.9
        Footwear ...............................   127.3   128.1   127.4   129.3    -1.3     4.2    -1.2     6.4      1.4       2.5
        Other apparel commodities 4/............   146.9   145.2   143.7   144.1    -9.5     -.8     1.1    -7.4     -5.2      -3.2
      Apparel services 1/ 4/ ...................   163.5   163.6   163.7   163.7     2.8     2.2     2.2      .5      2.5       1.4

    Transportation .............................   143.3   144.2   144.8   144.9     3.1    -1.6    -4.1     4.5       .7        .1
      Private transportation ...................   140.0   141.2   141.7   141.4     4.0    -2.2    -4.4     4.1       .9       -.3
        New vehicles ...........................   144.4   144.3   144.4   144.0     -.6      .6     -.6    -1.1       .0       -.8
          New cars .............................   141.8   141.7   141.7   141.4    -1.4      .3     -.6    -1.1      -.6       -.8
        Used cars ..............................   149.2   148.0   147.8   147.0    -2.5      .0   -14.4    -5.8     -1.3     -10.2
        Motor fuel .............................   101.2   106.2   108.0   107.5    21.0   -16.7   -19.4    27.3       .4       1.3
          Gasoline .............................   100.5   105.9   107.8   107.2    21.6   -17.1   -19.8    29.5       .4       1.9
        Maintenance and repairs ................   163.2   163.4   163.2   163.5     2.8     1.5     3.3      .7      2.1       2.0
        Other private transportation 4/.........   178.1   178.0   178.2   178.1      .2     4.2     2.5      .0      2.2       1.2
          Other private transportation
              commodities 4/....................   105.6   105.0   104.8   104.5    -1.5     -.4     3.5    -4.1      -.9       -.4
          Other private transportation
              services 4/ ......................   195.5   195.5   195.8   195.8      .4     4.9     2.5      .6      2.6       1.5
      Public transportation ....................   188.1   184.5   186.7   191.7    -5.0     5.5      .0     7.9       .1       3.9

    Medical care ...............................   235.0   235.5   235.9   236.1     2.6     3.3     2.1     1.9      3.0       2.0
      Medical care commodities .................   215.8   215.5   215.7   215.6      .8     4.2     1.5     -.4      2.5        .6
      Medical care services ....................   239.2   239.8   240.3   240.5     2.9     3.3     2.2     2.2      3.1       2.2
        Professional medical services ..........   215.7   216.3   216.6   217.0     3.7     3.8     2.4     2.4      3.7       2.4
    Entertainment 4/ ...........................   163.0   163.4   163.0   163.3     2.0     1.7     3.0      .7      1.9       1.9
      Entertainment commodities 4/ .............   143.9   144.7   144.9   144.6      .6     -.3      .0     2.0       .1       1.0
      Entertainment services 4/ ................   185.0   185.1   184.2   185.1     3.2     3.6     5.1      .2      3.4       2.6

    Other goods and services 2/.................   225.6   226.9   227.5   229.1     3.5     7.1     2.7     6.4      5.3       4.5
      Tobacco and smoking products .............   241.5   243.2   246.5   250.2     1.4    14.3    -4.3    15.2      7.6       5.0
      Personal care 1/ .........................   152.6   152.5   152.7   153.3     1.9     2.9     -.3     1.8      2.4        .8
        Toilet goods and personal care
            appliances 1/ ......................   143.7   143.5   143.7   144.5    -2.7     2.5    -2.2     2.2      -.1        .0
        Personal care services 1/ ..............   162.5   162.7   162.8   163.4     7.3     3.3     1.2     2.2      5.3       1.7
      Personal and educational expenses 4/ .....   260.9   262.8   262.5   263.7     4.7     5.6     6.2     4.4      5.2       5.3
        School books and supplies ..............   239.6   241.2   241.0   242.6     2.8     5.1     7.9     5.1      3.9       6.5
        Personal and educational services 4/ ...   262.4   264.3   264.0   265.2     4.8     5.6     6.2     4.3      5.2       5.3












  Table 2. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): Seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by expenditure category and
  commodity and service group - Continued

  (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

                                                   Seasonally adjusted indexes             Seasonally adjusted annual rate
                                                                                                 percent change for
                                                                                         3 months ended-           6 months ended-
                                                  July    Aug.    Sept.   Oct.    Jan.    Apr.    July    Oct.     Apr.      Oct.
                                                  1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997     1997      1997

           Commodity and service group

  All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        2.8     1.5     1.5     2.5      2.2       2.0
    Commodities ................................   141.4   141.9   142.3   142.3     2.3     -.3     -.8     2.6      1.0        .8
      Food and beverages .......................   157.9   158.6   158.7   159.0      .8      .5     3.6     2.8       .6       3.2
      Commodities less food and beverages ......   131.4   131.8   132.3   132.3     3.4     -.9    -3.9     2.8      1.2       -.6
        Nondurables less food and beverages ....   133.5   134.3   135.2   135.3     5.5    -1.5    -3.8     5.5      2.0        .7
          Apparel commodities 4/ ...............   129.6   128.3   128.7   128.8     3.2     3.5     -.3    -2.4      3.3      -1.4
          Nondurables less food, beverages,
              and apparel ......................   138.2   140.3   141.4   141.3     8.9    -3.9    -7.2     9.3      2.3        .7
        Durables ...............................   128.6   128.2   128.1   128.0     -.3     -.6    -2.1    -1.9      -.5      -2.0
    Services ...................................   179.8   180.0   180.4   181.0     3.2     3.0     2.9     2.7      3.1       2.8
      Rent of shelter 3/ .......................   183.6   184.1   184.4   185.0     3.2     3.4     2.9     3.1      3.3       3.0
      Household services less rent
          of shelter 3/ 4/......................   145.9   145.2   146.1   146.7     4.8     -.3     2.5     2.2      2.2       2.4
      Transportation services ..................   185.8   185.1   185.7   186.9     -.4     4.4     2.0     2.4      2.0       2.2
      Medical care services ....................   239.2   239.8   240.3   240.5     2.9     3.3     2.2     2.2      3.1       2.2
      Other services ...........................   211.1   211.9   211.5   212.4     4.4     4.5     5.3     2.5      4.5       3.9

                 Special indexes

  All items less food ..........................   161.0   161.2   161.7   162.0     3.1     1.8     1.0     2.5      2.4       1.8
  All items less shelter .......................   155.8   156.1   156.5   156.8     2.6      .8      .8     2.6      1.7       1.7
  All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/........   161.3   161.6   162.0   162.4     2.8     1.3      .7     2.8      2.0       1.7
  All items less medical care ..................   156.2   156.5   156.9   157.2     2.6     1.6     1.3     2.6      2.1       1.9
  Commodities less food ........................   132.9   133.3   133.8   133.7     3.0     -.6    -3.2     2.4      1.2       -.4
  Nondurables less food ........................   135.2   135.9   136.9   137.0     5.4    -1.5    -3.2     5.4      1.9       1.0
  Nondurables less food and apparel ............   139.8   142.0   143.2   143.0     6.1    -3.9    -4.7     9.5      1.0       2.1
  Nondurables ..................................   145.8   146.5   147.1   147.1     3.6    -1.1      .3     3.6      1.2       1.9
  Services less rent of shelter 3/ .............   188.6   188.3   188.9   189.6     3.1     2.8     3.0     2.1      2.9       2.6
  Services less medical care services ..........   174.2   174.3   174.7   175.5     3.3     2.8     3.0     3.0      3.1       3.0
  Energy .......................................   108.4   110.2   111.6   111.7    14.9   -11.3    -9.7    12.7       .9        .9
  All items less energy ........................   167.5   167.7   168.0   168.3     1.7     2.7     2.2     1.9      2.2       2.1
    All items less food and energy .............   170.0   170.1   170.4   170.8     2.2     3.1     1.9     1.9      2.7       1.9
      Commodities less food and energy
          commodities ..........................   142.4   142.0   142.3   142.4      .8     2.0     -.8      .0      1.4       -.4
        Energy commodities .....................   100.9   105.2   106.8   106.4    20.1   -17.7   -18.5    23.7      -.6        .4
      Services less energy services ............   185.5   185.8   186.1   186.7     2.7     3.6     3.3     2.6      3.1       3.0


     1/     Not seasonally adjusted.
     2/     This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 1998.
     3/     Indexes on a December 1982=100 base.
     4/     This index series will no longer appear in its present form after December, 1997.
            See Table X for a comparable index series.
     -      Data not available.
     NOTE:  Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.


 Table 3. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Selected areas, all items index
 
 (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)
 
+
                                                                  Indexes                Percent change to       Percent change to
                   Area                     Pricing                                       Oct. 1997 from-        Sept. 1997 from-
                                           schedule    July    Aug.    Sept.   Oct.    Oct.    Aug.    Sept.   Sept.   July    Aug.
                                              1/       1997    1997    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997
+                                             _
 
 
 
 U.S. city average ......................      M        160.5   160.8   161.2   161.6     2.1     0.5     0.2     2.2     0.4     0.2
 
         Region and area size 2/
+                             _
 
 Northeast urban.........................      M        167.6   167.8   168.4   168.7     2.2      .5      .2     2.3      .5      .4
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        168.2   168.4   169.2   169.5     2.3      .7      .2     2.3      .6      .5
   Size B -  500,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        165.9   166.2   166.0   166.0     2.2     -.1      .0     2.3      .1     -.1
+                                 _
   Size C -  50,000 to 500,000 3/........      M        166.4   166.8   167.1   167.6     2.3      .5      .3     3.0      .4      .2
+                              _
 
 North Central urban ....................      M        156.6   157.2   157.5   157.7     2.1      .3      .1     2.3      .6      .2
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        157.3   158.0   158.3   158.4     2.3      .3      .1     2.5      .6      .2
   Size B -  360,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        155.8   156.3   156.2   156.7     1.8      .3      .3     1.9      .3     -.1
+                                 _
   Size C -  50,000 to 360,000 3/........      M        158.5   158.8   159.6   159.7     2.0      .6      .1     2.7      .7      .5
+                              _
   Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
             (less than 50,000) .........      M        152.6   152.6   153.4   153.2     1.4      .4     -.1     1.6      .5      .5
 
 South urban ............................      M        157.0   157.1   157.5   157.8     1.9      .4      .2     1.9      .3      .3
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        155.8   155.9   156.4   156.7     2.0      .5      .2     1.9      .4      .3
   Size B -  450,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        160.5   160.8   160.6   160.9     2.0      .1      .2     2.1      .1     -.1
+                                 _
   Size C -  50,000 to 450,000 3/........      M        156.0   156.1   156.7   157.2     1.6      .7      .3     1.5      .4      .4
+                              _
   Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
             (less than 50,000) .........      M        156.4   156.4   157.1   156.9     1.7      .3     -.1     2.5      .4      .4
 
 West urban .............................      M        161.1   161.5   162.1   162.8     2.3      .8      .4     2.2      .6      .4
   Size A -  More than 1,250,000 ........      M        161.3   161.7   162.3   163.1     2.4      .9      .5     2.3      .6      .4
   Size C -  50,000 to 330,000 3/........      M        166.1   166.8   167.4   168.3     3.1      .9      .5     2.7      .8      .4
+                              _
 
 Size classes
   A 4/ .................................      M        144.8   145.1   145.6   146.0     2.3      .6      .3     2.2      .6      .3
+    _
   B 3/ .................................      M        160.9   161.2   161.2   161.5     2.0      .2      .2     2.1      .2      .0
+    _
   C 3/ .................................      M        160.1   160.5   161.0   161.5     2.1      .6      .3     2.3      .6      .3
+    _
   D ....................................      M        156.7   156.8   157.4   157.6     1.4      .5      .1     1.7      .4      .4
 
           Selected local areas
 
 Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI......      M        161.7   162.5   162.1   162.5     2.3      .0      .2     2.4      .2     -.2
 Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ......      M        159.5   159.7   160.5   161.1     1.4      .9      .4     1.5      .6      .5
 N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT      M        170.8   170.8   171.7   172.3     2.4      .9      .3     2.1      .5      .5
 Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton,
 PA-NJ-DE-MD 5/ .........................      M        166.4   166.8   168.6   167.7     1.7      .5     -.5     2.5     1.3     1.1
+            _
 San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA 5/ ..      M        160.6   161.2   161.6   162.5     3.6      .8      .6     3.4      .6      .2
+                                   _
 
 Baltimore, MD 6/ .......................      1        156.9    -      156.7    -       -       -       -         .8     -.1    -
+              _
 Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ...........      1        167.1    -      167.8    -       -       -       -        2.6      .4    -
 Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH .............      1        156.3    -      157.3    -       -       -       -        2.5      .6    -
 Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ..............      1        157.9    -      158.5    -       -       -       -        2.5      .4    -
 St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL 7/ .....      1        153.3    -      155.1    -       -       -       -        2.7     1.2    -
+                                _
 Washington, DC-MD-VA 6/ ................      1        162.9    -      163.6    -       -       -       -        1.7      .4    -
+                     _
 
 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX ..................      2         -      151.2    -      152.8     1.4     1.1    -       -       -       -
 Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI ..................      2         -      156.9    -      157.9     2.7      .6    -       -       -       -
 Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .........      2         -      145.4    -      147.3     2.9     1.3    -       -       -       -
 Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA 7/ ........      2         -      157.5    -      157.9     2.2      .3    -       -       -       -
+                             _
 
+
 
    1/     Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all areas; most other goods and services priced as
+   _
           indicated:
             M - Every month.
             1 - January, March, May, July, September, and November.
             2 - February, April, June, August, October, and December.
    2/     Regions defined as the four Census regions.  See map in technical notes.
+   _
    3/     Starting in January, 1998, a new Size Class B/C will be introduced, composed of current
+   _
           Size Class B and Size Class C cities.  There will be no individual Size Class B or Size Class C.
    4/     Indexes on a December 1986=100 base.
+   _
    5/     Indexes for the cities of Philadelphia and San Francisco will no longer be published on a monthly
+   _
           basis starting in January, 1998.  Beginning in February, 1998 they will be published on a
           bi-monthly basis.
    6/     Indexes for the cities of Washington and Baltimore will no longer be published separately after December, 1997.
+   _
           Beginning in January, 1998 the two cities will be published as a Washington-Baltimore
           combined metropolitan area.
    7/     Indexes for the cities of Pittsburgh and St. Louis will no longer be published on a bi-monthly
+   _
           basis after December, 1997.  Beginning in July, 1998 they will be published semi-annually, each
           January and July.
    -      Data not available.
    NOTE:  Local area CPI indexes are byproducts of the national CPI program.  Each local index has a smaller sample size than
           the national index and is, therefore, subject to substantially more sampling and other measurement error.  As a
           result, local area indexes show greater volatility than the national index, although their long-term trends are
           similar.  Therefore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics strongly urges users to consider adopting the national average
           CPI for use in their escalator clauses.
 
 
 Table 4. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and
 commodity and service group
 
 (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)
 
+
                                               Relative   Unadjusted indexes       Unadjusted             Seasonally adjusted
                                              importance,                       percent change to         percent change from-
                                               December     Sept.     Oct.       Oct. 1997 from-     July to    Aug. to    Sept. to
                                                 1996       1997      1997    Oct. 1996  Sept. 1997    Aug.      Sept.       Oct.
 
             Expenditure category
 
 All items ..................................   100.000     158.3     158.5        1.9        0.1        0.2        0.3        0.2
 All items (1967=100) .......................      -        471.5     472.3        -          -          -          -          -
 
   Food and beverages .......................    19.436     157.8     158.1        1.9         .2         .4         .1         .2
     Food ...................................    17.749     157.4     157.7        1.8         .2         .3         .1         .2
       Food at home .........................    11.387     157.7     158.0        1.3         .2         .4         .0         .3
         Cereals and bakery products ........     1.688     177.7     178.0        1.9         .2         .1         .2         .3
         Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .....     3.535     148.7     148.5         .7        -.1         .0        -.3        -.2
         Dairy products 1/ ..................     1.387     143.2     145.5       -2.3        1.6         .0         .1        1.6
+                       _
         Fruits and vegetables 2/ ...........     2.086     187.5     187.7        2.0         .1        2.6        -.4         .5
+                              _
         Other food at home .................     2.691     148.2     148.4        3.4         .1         .0         .3        -.1
           Sugar and sweets .................      .373     148.4     148.0        1.6        -.3        -.8         .5        -.3
           Fats and oils ....................      .282     141.7     141.4         .1        -.2         .6         .5        -.4
           Nonalcoholic beverages ...........      .841     135.2     135.2        6.4         .0        -.1        -.1        -.1
           Other prepared food ..............     1.194     161.8     162.3        2.6         .3         .2         .4         .1
       Food away from home ..................     6.362     157.8     158.2        2.6         .3         .2         .3         .2
     Alcoholic beverages ....................     1.687     162.6     162.8        2.1         .1         .4         .0         .1
 
   Housing 2/ ...............................    38.747     154.4     154.4        2.5         .0         .0         .3         .2
+          _
     Shelter ................................    25.867     172.2     172.7        3.0         .3         .2         .2         .3
       Renters' costs 3/ 4/..................     8.079     163.1     163.6        3.3         .3         .3         .3         .4
+                     _  _
         Rent, residential ..................     6.580     167.5     167.9        3.1         .2         .3         .3         .2
         Other renters' costs 4/ ............     1.499     223.1     224.6        4.7         .7         .3         .4        1.2
+                             _
       Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/...............    17.599     166.7     167.1        2.9         .2         .1         .2         .2
+                        _  _
         Owners' equivalent rent 3/ .........    17.277     167.0     167.4        2.9         .2         .2         .2         .2
+                                _
         Household insurance 3/ 4/ ..........      .322     151.2     151.3        1.7         .1         .4         .5         .1
+                            _  _
       Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ........      .189     141.1     142.6        3.0        1.1         .1       -1.9        1.1
+                              _  _
         Maintenance and repair
             services 1/ 4/ .................      .105     152.2     154.4        3.3        1.4         .4       -2.7        1.4
+                     _  _
         Maintenance and repair
             commodities 1/ 4/ ..............      .084     127.2     127.8        2.4         .5        -.2        -.6         .5
+                        _  _
     Fuel and other utilities 2/ ............     7.344     131.9     130.6        1.8       -1.0        -.5         .7         .4
+                             _
       Fuels ................................     3.979     119.3     116.8        1.0       -2.1        -.8        1.0         .6
         Fuel oil and other household fuel
             commodities ....................      .391      93.4      95.0       -7.4        1.7        -.6         .1        -.2
         Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
             services).......................     3.588     127.6     124.6        2.0       -2.4        -.7        1.1         .6
       Other utilities and public
           services 4/ ......................     3.365     163.1     163.3        2.6         .1        -.1         .3         .1
+                   _
     Household furnishings and operation 2/ .     5.536     123.9     123.9         .4         .0        -.3         .1         .1
+                                        _
       Housefurnishings 4/ ..................     3.261     109.1     109.0        -.6        -.1        -.5        -.1         .1
+                       _
       Housekeeping supplies ................     1.129     143.7     143.9        1.3         .1        -.7         .3         .0
       Housekeeping services 4/ .............     1.145     156.1     156.2        2.4         .1         .4         .3         .1
+                            _
 
   Apparel and upkeep .......................     5.348     132.1     133.9        1.1        1.4       -1.0         .2         .1
     Apparel commodities 4/ .................     4.838     128.6     130.5        1.0        1.5       -1.1         .2         .1
+                        _
       Men's and boys' apparel ..............     1.286     131.2     132.4        2.6         .9         .0         .3        -.1
       Women's and girls' apparel............     2.053     124.6     126.8        1.1        1.8       -2.1         .7        -.6
       Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ....      .240     128.3     127.7        -.9        -.5       -2.7        -.1        -.5
+                                     _
       Footwear .............................      .799     128.3     131.8        2.0        2.7         .7        -.5        1.7
       Other apparel commodities 4/..........      .461     144.8     145.4       -4.3         .4       -1.7       -1.2        1.0
+                                _
     Apparel services 1/ 4/ .................      .510     162.8     162.8        1.9         .0         .1         .1         .0
+                     _  _
 
   Transportation ...........................    19.190     143.6     143.6         .1         .0         .7         .4        -.1
     Private transportation .................    17.934     141.4     141.1        -.1        -.2         .9         .3        -.1
       New vehicles .........................     4.893     144.0     144.7        -.2         .5        -.2         .1        -.1
         New cars ...........................     3.533     139.7     140.2        -.6         .4        -.1         .0        -.2
       Used cars ............................     2.320     149.7     149.4       -5.6        -.2        -.7        -.2        -.5
       Motor fuel ...........................     3.921     109.2     106.6         .6       -2.4        5.0        1.4        -.5
         Gasoline ...........................      -        109.2     106.3         .9       -2.7        5.5        1.6        -.6
       Maintenance and repairs ..............     1.616     164.5     164.9        2.2         .2         .1         .0         .1
       Other private transportation 4/.......     5.185     172.3     173.8        1.5         .9         .0         .1        -.1
+                                   _
         Other private transportation
             commodities 4/..................      .742     103.8     103.6        -.5        -.2        -.5        -.2        -.2
+                        _
         Other private transportation
             services 4/ ....................     4.442     189.7     191.6        1.8        1.0         .1         .1         .0
+                     _
     Public transportation ..................     1.256     183.5     187.8        1.9        2.3       -1.6        1.2        2.2
 
   Medical care .............................     6.251     234.7     235.2        2.5         .2         .2         .2         .2
     Medical care commodities ...............     1.047     212.5     212.9        1.5         .2        -.2         .2         .0
     Medical care services ..................     5.204     239.7     240.3        2.7         .3         .3         .2         .2
       Professional medical services ........     2.973     217.8     218.1        3.2         .1         .3         .1         .2
 
   Entertainment 4/ .........................     4.015     160.5     160.6        1.8         .1         .4        -.2         .1
+                _
     Entertainment commodities 4/ ...........     2.036     143.4     143.1         .4        -.2         .6         .1        -.3
+                              _
     Entertainment services 4/ ..............     1.979     184.8     185.3        3.1         .3         .1        -.4         .4
+                           _
 
   Other goods and services 2/ ..............     7.012     224.6     226.1        5.0         .7         .5         .5         .8
+                           _
     Tobacco and smoking products ...........     2.117     246.1     249.9        6.4        1.5         .6        1.4        1.5
     Personal care 1/ .......................     1.107     152.6     153.3        1.6         .5         .0         .1         .5
+                  _
       Toilet goods and personal care
           appliances 1/ ....................      .610     144.7     145.4         .0         .5        -.1         .2         .5
+                     _
       Personal care services 1/ ............      .497     163.0     163.5        3.5         .3         .1         .1         .3
+                             _
     Personal and educational expenses 4/ ...     3.788     260.2     260.8        5.3         .2         .6         .2         .4
+                                      _
       School books and supplies ............      .232     243.9     244.7        5.3         .3         .4         .0         .6
       Personal and educational services 4/ .     3.556     261.8     262.4        5.3         .2         .6         .2         .4
+                                        _
 
         Commodity and service group
 
 All items ..................................   100.000     158.3     158.5        1.9         .1         .2         .3         .2
   Commodities ..............................    47.057     142.1     142.3         .9         .1         .4         .2         .1
     Food and beverages .....................    19.436     157.8     158.1        1.9         .2         .4         .1         .2
     Commodities less food and beverages ....    27.621     132.5     132.7         .3         .2         .4         .4         .0
       Nondurables less food and beverages ..    16.215     135.5     135.7        1.4         .1         .8         .7         .1
         Apparel commodities 4/ .............     4.838     128.6     130.5        1.0        1.5       -1.1         .2         .1
+                            _
         Nondurables less food, beverages,
             and apparel ....................    11.377     141.9     141.2        1.6        -.5        1.8         .8        -.1
       Durables .............................    11.407     127.2     127.3       -1.5         .1        -.3         .0        -.1
   Services .................................    52.943     177.7     178.0        2.9         .2         .1         .3         .3
     Rent of shelter 3/ .....................    25.329     165.8     166.2        3.0         .2         .2         .3         .2
+                    _
     Household services less rent of
         shelter 3/ 4/.......................     8.553     135.8     134.5        2.3       -1.0        -.4         .6         .4
+                _  _
     Transportation services ................     7.314     182.3     184.2        1.9        1.0        -.2         .2         .4
     Medical care services ..................     5.204     239.7     240.3        2.7         .3         .3         .2         .2
     Other services .........................     6.542     209.0     209.4        4.2         .2         .4         .0         .4
 
               Special indexes
 
 All items less food ........................    82.251     158.4     158.6        2.0         .1         .2         .3         .2
 All items less shelter .....................    74.133     154.6     154.8        1.6         .1         .3         .3         .2
 All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/......    82.401     148.4     148.6        1.7         .1         .2         .3         .2
+                                 _  _
 All items less medical care ................    93.749     154.7     154.9        1.9         .1         .3         .3         .2
 Commodities less food ......................    29.308     133.7     133.9         .4         .1         .4         .3         .0
 Nondurables less food ......................    17.901     137.1     137.3        1.5         .1         .7         .8         .0
 Nondurables less food and apparel ..........    13.064     142.9     142.4        1.7        -.3        1.8         .8        -.1
 Nondurables ................................    35.651     147.0     147.2        1.7         .1         .6         .3         .1
 Services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/ ........    27.613     168.8     169.0        2.8         .1         .0         .3         .4
+                              _  _
 Services less medical care services ........    47.738     172.4     172.7        2.9         .2        -.1         .3         .4
 Energy .....................................     7.901     113.5     111.0         .8       -2.2        2.0        1.2         .1
 All items less energy ......................    92.099     164.6     165.2        2.0         .4         .1         .1         .2
   All items less food and energy ...........    74.350     166.5     167.1        2.1         .4         .0         .2         .2
     Commodities less food and
         energy commodities .................    24.996     141.5     142.2         .4         .5        -.4         .2         .1
       Energy commodities ...................     4.312     108.1     105.8        -.2       -2.1        4.5        1.2        -.4
     Services less energy services ..........    49.354     183.3     183.9        3.0         .3         .2         .2         .3
 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar:
   1982-84=$1.00 1/ .........................      -        $.632     $.631       -1.9        -.2        -.2        -.3        -.2
+                _
   1967=$1.00 1/ ............................      -         .212      .212        -          -          -          -          -
+             _
 
+
 
    1/     Not seasonally adjusted.
+   _
    2/     This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 1998.
+   _
    3/     Indexes on a December 1984=100 base.
+   _
    4/     This index series will no longer appear in its present form after December, 1997.
+   _
           See Table X for a comparable index series.
    -      Data not available.
    NOTE:  Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.
 
 
  Table 5. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and
  commodity and service group
 
  (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)
 
+
                                                   Seasonally adjusted indexes             Seasonally adjusted annual rate
                                                                                                 percent change for
                                                                                         3 months ended-           6 months ended-
                                                  July    Aug.    Sept.   Oct.    Jan.    Apr.    July    Oct.     Apr.      Oct.
                                                  1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997     1997      1997
 
               Expenditure category
 
  All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        2.9     1.0     1.3     2.6      1.9       1.9
 
    Food and beverages .........................   157.5   158.1   158.2   158.5     1.0      .3     3.6     2.6       .6       3.1
      Food .....................................   157.1   157.6   157.8   158.1      .5      .5     3.6     2.6       .5       3.1
        Food at home ...........................   157.5   158.2   158.2   158.6    -1.0     -.5     4.4     2.8      -.8       3.6
          Cereals and bakery products ..........   177.4   177.5   177.9   178.4     2.8     -.5     3.2     2.3      1.1       2.7
          Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......   149.1   149.1   148.7   148.4     2.5    -2.4     4.7    -1.9       .0       1.4
          Dairy products 1/ ....................   143.0   143.0   143.2   145.5    -3.4    -5.8    -6.4     7.2     -4.6        .1
+                        _
          Fruits and vegetables 2/..............   186.0   190.9   190.2   191.1   -10.9    -1.7    11.5    11.4     -6.4      11.5
+                               _
          Other food at home ...................   147.9   147.9   148.3   148.2     2.3     5.1     5.6      .8      3.7       3.2
            Sugar and sweets ...................   148.7   147.5   148.2   147.7     3.6     3.0     2.7    -2.7      3.3        .0
            Fats and oils ......................   140.5   141.3   142.0   141.4      .3      .9    -3.3     2.6       .6       -.4
            Nonalcoholic beverages .............   135.7   135.6   135.4   135.2      .9    10.4    16.6    -1.5      5.6       7.2
            Other prepared food ................   161.0   161.4   162.1   162.3     2.8     3.6      .7     3.3      3.2       2.0
        Food away from home ....................   157.1   157.4   157.8   158.1     3.4     2.1     2.3     2.6      2.7       2.4
      Alcoholic beverages ......................   162.2   162.8   162.8   163.0     3.0      .5     3.0     2.0      1.8       2.5
 
    Housing 2/ .................................   153.4   153.4   153.9   154.2     3.5     1.6     2.4     2.1      2.5       2.2
+           _
      Shelter ..................................   171.3   171.6   172.0   172.5     2.9     3.4     3.1     2.8      3.1       3.0
        Renters' costs 3/ 4/....................   161.9   162.4   162.9   163.6     3.3     3.6     2.3     4.3      3.4       3.3
+                      _  _
          Rent, residential ....................   166.5   167.0   167.5   167.9     3.0     2.7     3.2     3.4      2.8       3.3
          Other renters' costs 4/ ..............   223.3   223.9   224.7   227.5     5.8     6.3    -1.1     7.7      6.1       3.2
+                              _
        Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/ ................   165.9   166.1   166.5   166.8     2.7     3.2     3.4     2.2      3.0       2.8
+                         _  _
          Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ...........   166.2   166.5   166.8   167.1     2.7     3.2     3.4     2.2      3.0       2.8
+                                 _
          Household insurance 3/ 4/ ............   149.7   150.3   151.1   151.2    -1.6     3.0     1.9     4.1       .7       3.0
+                             _  _
        Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ..........   143.6   143.8   141.1   142.6     4.7     2.6     7.6    -2.8      3.6       2.3
+                               _  _
          Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/    155.9   156.5   152.2   154.4     1.3     2.4    13.9    -3.8      1.9       4.7
+                                         _  _
          Maintenance and repair
              commodities 1/ 4/ ................   128.3   128.0   127.2   127.8     8.3     2.9      .3    -1.5      5.5       -.6
+                         _  _
      Fuel and other utilities 2/...............   130.1   129.5   130.4   130.9     7.4    -3.3     1.2     2.5      1.9       1.9
+                              _
        Fuels ..................................   115.6   114.7   115.8   116.5    10.5    -7.2    -1.0     3.2      1.2       1.0
          Fuel oil and other household fuel
              commodities ......................    97.1    96.5    96.6    96.4    17.2   -27.0   -11.1    -2.9     -7.5      -7.1
          Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
              services).........................   123.1   122.2   123.5   124.3    10.2    -5.0     -.3     4.0      2.3       1.8
        Other utilities and public services 4/ .   163.0   162.8   163.3   163.5     3.0     1.8     4.3     1.2      2.4       2.7
+                                           _
      Household furnishings and operation 2/ ...   124.0   123.6   123.7   123.8      .3      .3     1.3     -.6       .3        .3
+                                         _
        Housefurnishings 4/ ....................   109.5   109.0   108.9   109.0     -.4    -1.1      .4    -1.8      -.7       -.7
+                        _
        Housekeeping supplies ..................   144.4   143.4   143.8   143.8     2.6     2.5     1.7    -1.7      2.6        .0
        Housekeeping services 4/ ...............   154.9   155.5   156.0   156.2      .0     3.2     3.2     3.4      1.6       3.3
+                             _
 
    Apparel and upkeep .........................   132.8   131.5   131.7   131.8     3.1     4.3      .3    -3.0      3.7      -1.4
      Apparel commodities 4/ ...................   129.4   128.0   128.2   128.3     3.2     4.4      .0    -3.4      3.8      -1.7
+                         _
        Men's and boys' apparel ................   130.4   130.4   130.8   130.7     6.1     2.8      .9      .9      4.4        .9
        Women's and girls' apparel .............   126.2   123.6   124.5   123.7     7.4     4.6     1.0    -7.7      6.0      -3.5
        Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ......   132.0   128.4   128.3   127.7    -1.2    21.5    -8.3   -12.4      9.5     -10.4
+                                      _
        Footwear ...............................   128.1   129.0   128.3   130.5     -.9     3.2    -1.5     7.7      1.1       3.0
        Other apparel commodities 4/............   147.1   144.6   142.8   144.2   -11.2     1.7      .5    -7.7     -5.0      -3.6
+                                 _
      Apparel services 1/ 4/ ...................   162.6   162.7   162.8   162.8     2.8     2.3     2.2      .5      2.5       1.4
+                      _  _
 
    Transportation .............................   142.4   143.4   144.0   143.9     4.0    -2.7    -4.9     4.3       .6       -.4
      Private transportation ...................   140.0   141.3   141.7   141.5     4.3    -3.0    -5.2     4.4       .6       -.6
        New vehicles ...........................   145.7   145.4   145.6   145.4      .0      .8     -.8     -.8       .4       -.8
          New cars .............................   141.4   141.3   141.3   141.0     -.8      .3     -.8    -1.1      -.3      -1.0
        Used cars ..............................   150.6   149.5   149.2   148.5    -2.5      .3   -14.2    -5.5     -1.1     -10.0
        Motor fuel .............................   101.2   106.3   107.8   107.3    21.8   -18.5   -18.5    26.4      -.4       1.5
          Gasoline .............................   100.6   106.1   107.8   107.2    21.9   -18.3   -19.2    28.9      -.2       2.1
        Maintenance and repairs ................   164.3   164.4   164.4   164.6     2.8     1.5     3.7      .7      2.1       2.2
        Other private transportation 4/.........   173.6   173.6   173.7   173.6      .0     3.6     2.3      .0      1.8       1.2
+                                    _
          Other private transportation
              commodities 4/....................   104.6   104.1   103.9   103.7    -1.1     -.8     3.5    -3.4     -1.0        .0
+                         _
          Other private transportation
              services 4/ ......................   191.1   191.2   191.4   191.4      .2     4.3     2.1      .6      2.2       1.4
+                      _
      Public transportation ....................   185.3   182.3   184.4   188.4    -1.7     2.4      .4     6.9       .3       3.6
 
    Medical care ...............................   234.3   234.7   235.1   235.6     2.6     3.2     2.3     2.2      2.9       2.2
      Medical care commodities .................   213.0   212.5   212.9   212.9      .4     3.9     1.7     -.2      2.1        .8
      Medical care services ....................   238.9   239.5   240.0   240.5     3.3     2.9     2.2     2.7      3.1       2.5
        Professional medical services ..........   217.0   217.7   218.0   218.4     3.6     4.2     2.4     2.6      3.9       2.5
    Entertainment 4/ ...........................   160.3   161.0   160.6   160.7     2.3     1.3     2.5     1.0      1.8       1.8
+                 _
      Entertainment commodities 4/ .............   142.7   143.6   143.7   143.3      .8    -1.1      .6     1.7      -.1       1.1
+                               _
      Entertainment services 4/ ................   185.4   185.6   184.8   185.5     3.4     4.3     4.7      .2      3.8       2.4
+                            _
 
    Other goods and services 2/.................   221.6   222.7   223.9   225.6     4.0     7.6     1.5     7.4      5.8       4.4
+                            _
      Tobacco and smoking products .............   241.2   242.7   246.1   249.9     2.2    13.5    -4.0    15.2      7.7       5.2
      Personal care 1/ .........................   152.4   152.4   152.6   153.3     1.9     2.7     -.5     2.4      2.3        .9
+                   _
        Toilet goods and personal care
            appliances 1/ ......................   144.6   144.4   144.7   145.4    -2.7     2.8    -2.2     2.2       .0        .0
+                      _
        Personal care services 1/ ..............   162.6   162.8   163.0   163.5     7.3     3.3     1.2     2.2      5.3       1.7
+                              _
      Personal and educational expenses 4/ .....   256.0   257.5   257.9   259.0     5.6     5.6     5.5     4.8      5.6       5.1
+                                       _
        School books and supplies ..............   242.1   243.1   243.1   244.5     3.1     5.1     9.1     4.0      4.1       6.5
        Personal and educational services 4/ ...   257.3   258.8   259.2   260.3     5.8     5.7     5.1     4.7      5.7       4.9
+                                         _
 
           Commodity and service group
 
  All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        2.9     1.0     1.3     2.6      1.9       1.9
    Commodities ................................   141.3   141.9   142.2   142.3     2.6     -.6    -1.1     2.9      1.0        .8
      Food and beverages .......................   157.5   158.1   158.2   158.5     1.0      .3     3.6     2.6       .6       3.1
      Commodities less food and beverages ......   131.4   131.9   132.4   132.4     3.7    -1.5    -4.2     3.1      1.1       -.6
        Nondurables less food and beverages ....   133.3   134.3   135.2   135.3     6.1    -2.1    -4.1     6.1      2.0        .9
          Apparel commodities 4/ ...............   129.4   128.0   128.2   128.3     3.2     4.4      .0    -3.4      3.8      -1.7
+                             _
          Nondurables less food, beverages,
              and apparel ......................   137.7   140.2   141.3   141.2     9.5    -4.2    -8.3    10.6      2.5        .7
        Durables ...............................   128.1   127.7   127.7   127.6     -.3     -.9    -2.8    -1.6      -.6      -2.2
    Services ...................................   176.8   176.9   177.4   177.9     3.3     2.8     3.0     2.5      3.0       2.8
      Rent of shelter 3/ .......................   165.0   165.3   165.8   166.2     3.3     3.0     3.2     2.9      3.1       3.1
+                     _
      Household services less rent
          of shelter 3/ 4/......................   134.0   133.4   134.2   134.8     5.3     -.9     2.4     2.4      2.1       2.4
+                    _  _
      Transportation services ..................   183.4   183.0   183.4   184.1      .2     3.6     2.2     1.5      1.9       1.9
      Medical care services ....................   238.9   239.5   240.0   240.5     3.3     2.9     2.2     2.7      3.1       2.5
      Other services ...........................   207.6   208.4   208.3   209.1     5.1     4.6     4.6     2.9      4.8       3.7
 
                 Special indexes
 
  All items less food ..........................   157.2   157.5   158.0   158.3     3.4     1.3      .5     2.8      2.3       1.7
  All items less shelter .......................   153.7   154.1   154.5   154.8     2.9      .3      .3     2.9      1.6       1.6
  All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/........   147.6   147.9   148.3   148.6     2.8      .8      .5     2.7      1.8       1.6
+                                  _  _
  All items less medical care ..................   153.7   154.1   154.5   154.8     2.9     1.0      .8     2.9      2.0       1.8
  Commodities less food ........................   132.9   133.4   133.8   133.8     3.6    -1.2    -3.8     2.7      1.2       -.6
  Nondurables less food ........................   134.9   135.9   137.0   137.0     5.7    -2.6    -3.2     6.4      1.5       1.5
  Nondurables less food and apparel ............   139.3   141.8   142.9   142.8     6.7    -4.1    -5.5    10.4      1.1       2.1
  Nondurables ..................................   145.6   146.5   147.0   147.1     3.9    -1.1      .0     4.2      1.4       2.1
  Services less rent of shelter 3/ .............   167.8   167.8   168.3   169.0     3.2     2.4     2.7     2.9      2.8       2.8
+                               _
  Services less medical care services ..........   171.6   171.5   172.0   172.7     3.4     2.4     3.6     2.6      2.9       3.1
  Energy .......................................   107.8   110.0   111.3   111.4    16.1   -12.9   -10.1    14.0       .5       1.3
  All items less energy ........................   164.4   164.6   164.8   165.2     1.7     2.5     2.0     2.0      2.1       2.0
    All items less food and energy .............   166.5   166.5   166.8   167.1     2.2     2.9     1.7     1.4      2.6       1.6
      Commodities less food and energy
          commodities ..........................   142.0   141.5   141.8   141.9      .9     2.3    -1.1     -.3      1.6       -.7
        Energy commodities .....................   101.1   105.7   107.0   106.6    21.4   -19.2   -17.9    23.6      -.9        .8
      Services less energy services ............   182.9   183.2   183.6   184.1     2.7     3.4     3.1     2.7      3.0       2.9
 
+
 
     1/     Not seasonally adjusted.
+    _
     2/     This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 1998.
+    _
     3/     Indexes on a December 1984=100 base.
+    _
     4/     This index series will no longer appear in its present form after December, 1997.
+    _
            See Table X for a comparable index series.
     -      Data not available.
     NOTE:  Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.
 
 
 Table 6. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: Selected areas, all items index
 
 (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)
 
+
                                                                  Indexes                Percent change to       Percent change to
                   Area                     Pricing                                       Oct. 1997 from-        Sept. 1997 from-
                                           schedule    July    Aug.    Sept.   Oct.    Oct.    Aug.    Sept.   Sept.   July    Aug.
                                              1/       1997    1997    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997
+                                             _
 
 
 
 U.S. city average ......................      M        157.5   157.8   158.3   158.5     1.9     0.4     0.1     2.1     0.5     0.3
 
         Region and area size 2/
+                             _
 
 Northeast urban.........................      M        164.7   164.9   165.6   165.8     2.1      .5      .1     2.2      .5      .4
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        164.3   164.5   165.4   165.5     2.1      .6      .1     2.2      .7      .5
   Size B -  500,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        163.5   163.7   163.4   163.5     2.1     -.1      .1     2.3     -.1     -.2
+                                 _
   Size C -  50,000 to 500,000 3/........      M        167.5   167.8   168.6   168.9     2.2      .7      .2     3.0      .7      .5
+                              _
 
 North Central urban ....................      M        153.1   153.6   153.9   154.0     2.0      .3      .1     2.2      .5      .2
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        152.9   153.6   153.9   153.9     2.1      .2      .0     2.3      .7      .2
   Size B -  360,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        151.9   152.3   152.3   152.7     1.7      .3      .3     1.9      .3      .0
+                                 _
   Size C -  50,000 to 360,000 3/........      M        155.7   156.1   156.9   156.9     2.1      .5      .0     2.8      .8      .5
+                              _
   Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
             (less than 50,000) .........      M        150.7   150.9   151.5   151.1     1.3      .1     -.3     1.6      .5      .4
 
 South urban ............................      M        155.3   155.5   155.9   156.1     1.7      .4      .1     1.8      .4      .3
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        153.9   154.0   154.5   154.7     1.8      .5      .1     1.8      .4      .3
   Size B -  450,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        156.2   156.5   156.6   156.8     1.9      .2      .1     2.0      .3      .1
+                                 _
   Size C -  50,000 to 450,000 3/........      M        155.7   155.9   156.4   156.9     1.4      .6      .3     1.3      .4      .3
+                              _
   Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
             (less than 50,000) .........      M        156.6   157.0   157.7   157.3     1.6      .2     -.3     2.5      .7      .4
 
 West urban .............................      M        157.6   158.0   158.6   159.3     2.2      .8      .4     2.0      .6      .4
   Size A -  More than 1,250,000 ........      M        156.2   156.5   157.2   157.9     2.3      .9      .4     2.1      .6      .4
   Size C -  50,000 to 330,000 3/........      M        162.9   163.5   164.1   164.9     2.9      .9      .5     2.6      .7      .4
+                              _
 
 Size classes
   A 4/ .................................      M        143.6   143.9   144.4   144.7     2.1      .6      .2     2.1      .6      .3
+    _
   B 3/ .................................      M        157.8   158.0   158.0   158.3     1.9      .2      .2     1.9      .1      .0
+    _
   C 3/ .................................      M        159.1   159.4   160.0   160.4     1.9      .6      .3     2.2      .6      .4
+    _
   D ....................................      M        155.8   156.0   156.6   156.7     1.3      .4      .1     1.7      .5      .4
 
           Selected local areas
 
 Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI......      M        156.0   156.7   156.4   156.9     2.1      .1      .3     2.1      .3     -.2
 Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ......      M        153.8   154.0   154.7   155.4     1.4      .9      .5     1.3      .6      .5
 N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT      M        166.6   166.7   167.7   168.1     2.3      .8      .2     2.0      .7      .6
 Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton,
 PA-NJ-DE-MD 5/ .........................      M        165.5   165.9   167.9   166.8     1.6      .5     -.7     2.6     1.5     1.2
+            _
 San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA 5/ ..      M        157.5   158.1   158.6   159.5     3.4      .9      .6     3.1      .7      .3
+                                   _
 
 Baltimore, MD 6/ .......................      1        155.6    -      155.6    -       -       -       -         .8      .0    -
+              _
 Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ...........      1        165.8    -      166.2    -       -       -       -        2.5      .2    -
 Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH .............      1        148.2    -      149.2    -       -       -       -        2.3      .7    -
 Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ..............      1        155.5    -      156.1    -       -       -       -        2.3      .4    -
 St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL 7/ .....      1        152.5    -      154.0    -       -       -       -        2.6     1.0    -
+                                _
 Washington, DC-MD-VA 6/ ................      1        160.2    -      161.1    -       -       -       -        1.8      .6    -
+                     _
 
 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX ..................      2         -      151.1    -      152.8     1.4     1.1    -       -       -       -
 Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI ..................      2         -      151.6    -      152.4     2.4      .5    -       -       -       -
 Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .........      2         -      144.9    -      146.3     2.7     1.0    -       -       -       -
 Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA 7/ ........      2         -      151.0    -      151.3     2.2      .2    -       -       -       -
+                             _
 
+
 
    1/     Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all areas; most other goods and services priced as
+   _
           indicated:
             M - Every month.
             1 - January, March, May, July, September, and November.
             2 - February, April, June, August, October, and December.
    2/     Regions defined as the four Census regions.  See map in technical notes.
+   _
    3/     Starting in January, 1998, a new Size Class B/C will be introduced, composed of current
+   _
           Size Class B and Size Class C cities.  There will be no individual Size Class B or Size Class C.
    4/     Indexes on a December 1986=100 base.
+   _
    5/     Indexes for the cities of Philadelphia and San Francisco will no longer be published on a monthly
+   _
           basis starting in January, 1998.  Beginning in February, 1998 they will be published on a
           bi-monthly basis.
    6/     Indexes for the cities of Washington and Baltimore will no longer be published separately after December, 1997.
+   _
           Beginning in January, 1998 the two cities will be published as a Washington-Baltimore
           combined metropolitan area.
    7/     Indexes for the cities of Pittsburgh and St. Louis will no longer be published on a bi-monthly
+   _
           basis after December, 1997.  Beginning in July, 1998 they will be published semi-annually, each
           January and July.
    -      Data not available.
    NOTE:  Local area CPI indexes are byproducts of the national CPI program.  Each local index has a smaller sample size than
           the national index and is, therefore, subject to substantially more sampling and other measurement error.  As a
           result, local area indexes show greater volatility than the national index, although their long-term trends are
           similar.  Therefore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics strongly urges users to consider adopting the national average
           CPI for use in their escalator clauses.