TEXT
Table  1.  Producer Price Indexes and percent changes by stage of processing
Table  2.  Producer Price Indexes and percent changes for selected commodity groupings by stage of processing
Table 2.  Producer Price Indexes and percent changes for selected commodity groupings by stage of processing - (Continued).
Table 3.  Producer Price Indexes for selected commodity groupings
Table #4    Producer price indexes for the net output of major industry groups, not seasonally adjusted

 
 
 
 
FOR DATA ONLY:  (202) 606-7828     USDL 96-367
FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION:         TRANSMISSION OF MATERIAL IN
(202) 606-7705                     THIS RELEASE IS EMBARGOED
MEDIA CONTACT:  (202) 606-5902     UNTIL 8:30 A.M. (E.D.T),
                                   THURSDAY,
                                   SEPTEMBER 12, 1996
 
                    Producer Price Indexes - August 1996
 
     The Producer Price Index for Finished Goods advanced 0.3 percent in
August, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U. S.
Department of Labor reported today.  For July, the index registered no
change, which followed a 0.2-percent increase in June.  Prices received by
domestic producers of intermediate goods rose 0.2 percent in August after
declining 0.3 percent in the prior month.  The Crude Goods Price Index rose
0.2 percent following a 2.0-percent increase in July.  (See table A.)
 
     Among finished goods in August, prices for energy turned up after
falling in July.  The index for finished consumer foods rose more in August
than a month earlier.  By contrast, prices for finished goods other than
foods and energy fell 0.1 percent after rising 0.1 percent in July.
 
Table A.  Monthly and annual percent changes in selected stage-of-processing
price
indexes, seasonally adjusted
                     Finish
                         ed
                      goods
 
                                     Change in
                            Except   finished   Inter-
                                       goods
                             foods    from 12   mediateCrude
                              and     months
Month  Total  Foods  Energy energy      ago      goods goods
                                     (unadj.)
 1995
 Aug.     0.1    0.1   -0.3     0.1         1.3    0.1   -1.4
Sept.     0.3    1.2   -0.5     0.2         1.8   -0.2    1.9
 Oct.     0.2   -0.1   -0.1     0.3         2.3      0    0.1
 Nov.     0.3    1.1   -1.0     0.4         2.1   -0.1    1.6
 Dec.     0.6    0.1    3.8     0.1         2.3    0.2    1.6
 
 1996
 Jan.     0.2   -0.4    2.4    -0.1         2.2    0.2    2.3
 Feb.    -0.1   -0.2   -0.9     0.1         2.0   -0.5    1.6
 Mar.     0.5    0.8    2.6    -0.1         2.4    0.1   -1.4
 Apr.    r0.2  r-0.5   r2.7      r0        r2.4    0.4   r4.5
 May     r0.1   r0.1  r-0.5    r0.2         2.3    0.5   r1.2
 June     0.2    1.6   -2.1     0.2         2.7   -0.5   -2.3
 July       0    0.2   -0.9     0.1         2.6   -0.3   r2.0
 Aug.     0.3    1.0    0.7    -0.1         3.0    0.2    0.2
r=revised.  Some of the figures shown above and elsewhere in this release may
differ from those previously
 reported because data for April 1996 have been revised to reflect the
availability of late reports and corrections
by respondents and data for July 1996 have been revised to reflect changes in
natural gas pricing.
 
     Before seasonal adjustment, the Producer Price Index for Finished Goods
increased 0.3 percent in August to 131.9 (1982=100).  From August 1995 to
August 1996, the Finished Goods Price Index rose 3.0 percent.  During this
same period, prices for finished consumer foods increased 5.1 percent, the
index for finished energy goods advanced 6.4 percent, and prices for finished
goods other than foods and energy were up 1.4 percent.  Prices received by
domestic producers of intermediate goods remained unchanged during the 12
months ended in August 1996, and prices for crude materials rose 13.9 percent
over the same period.
 
Finished Goods
 
     The Producer Price Index for finished energy goods rose 0.7 percent in
August after dropping 0.9 percent in the previous month.  Prices for gasoline
increased 0.9 percent after falling 2.8 percent in July.  The indexes for
residential electric power and finished lubricants also rose after falling in
the prior month.  By contrast, prices for residential natural gas increased
0.7 percent following a 1.4-percent gain in July.  The index for heating oil
also rose less than in the prior month.
 
Table B.  Monthly and annual percent changes in selected price indexes for
intermediate goods and crude goods, seasonally adjusted
              Interm                           Crude
              ediate                           goods
              goods
                            Change in                        Change in
                            intermedi                          crude
                               ate
                     Exclud   goods                  Excludi   goods
                      ing      from                    ng
                     foods  12 months         Energy  foods   from 12
                      and      ago                     and   months ago
Month  Foods  Energy energy  (unadj.)   Foods (unadj energy   (unadj.)
                                                .)
 1995
 Aug.     1.1   -0.5    0.1        5.4    0.4   -3.8   -1.2     -1.4
Sept.     1.0   -1.4      0        4.8    3.5    2.7   -1.7     2.8
 Oct.     2.9    0.5   -0.2        4.5    2.4   -0.7   -2.4     3.6
 Nov.     2.1    0.2   -0.3        3.5    2.8    2.1   -1.7     4.7
 Dec.     1.5    2.8   -0.2        3.3   -0.4    6.1   -0.9     5.5
 
 1996
 Jan.    -0.1    2.8   -0.3        2.2   -0.4    7.7   -0.2     7.2
 Feb.    -0.2   -1.3   -0.4        1.1   -0.7    5.9   -0.2     8.3
 Mar.       0    2.1   -0.2        0.7    0.1   -2.5   -2.3     7.5
 Apr.    r1.9   r3.4   -0.1        0.6   r4.3   r8.3  r-1.1    r10.4
 May     r3.9   r0.7    0.2        0.7   r6.0  r-3.9   r0.5     12.8
 June     1.3   -3.7   -0.1        0.3    1.4   -7.7   -1.4     9.4
 July    -0.1   -0.6   -0.3       -0.2    2.7   r3.9   -1.6     11.6
 Aug.     0.2    0.9    0.1          0   -0.3    0.7    0.1     13.9
r=revised.  Some of the figures shown above and elsewhere in this release may
differ from those previously reported because data for April 1996 have been
revised to reflect the availability of late reports and corrections by
respondents and data for July 1996 have been revised to reflect changes in
natural gas pricing.
 
     Prices for finished consumer foods rose 1.0 percent in August after
advancing 0.2 percent in the previous month.  Prices for pork rose 8.7
percent following a decline of 3.3 percent in July.  The indexes for fresh
fruits and melons, eggs for fresh use, and for shortening and cooking oils
also turned up after declining a month ago.  Prices for beef and veal rose
more than in July.  By contrast, the index for fresh and dry vegetables fell
11.9 percent in August after rising 2.3 percent in the previous month.  The
indexes for finfish and shellfish and for young chickens also declined after
increasing in July.
 
     The index for consumer goods less foods and energy registered no change
in August following a drop of 0.1 percent a month earlier.  Price increases
for sanitary paper products, alcoholic beverages, tires and tubes, floor
coverings, sporting goods, and newspaper circulation were offset by declines
for prescription drugs, passenger cars, book publishing, women's apparel,
men's and boys' apparel, and light trucks.
 
     Prices for capital equipment turned down 0.1 percent in August after
rising 0.3 percent in the previous month.  The index for civilian aircraft
dropped 0.3 percent after rising 1.9 percent in July.  Prices also turned
down after rising in the prior month for electronic computers and for
communications and related equipment.  Price increases slowed in August for
heavy motor trucks.  By contrast, the index for ships rose 0.7 percent after
falling 0.2 percent in July.  Prices for agricultural machinery rose 0.3
percent in August after registering no change a month earlier.  The indexes
for x-ray and electromedical equipment, and for construction machinery and
equipment advanced after declining in July.
 
Intermediate goods
 
     The Producer Price Index for Intermediate Materials, Supplies, and
Components increased 0.2 percent in August, seasonally adjusted, after
declining 0.3 percent a month earlier.  The indexes for energy goods,
nondurable manufacturing materials, construction materials, and for foods and
feeds turned up after falling in June.  Prices for durable manufacturing
materials fell less than in the previous month.  Excluding food and energy
prices, the intermediate materials index turned up 0.1 percent after falling
0.3 percent a month earlier.  (See table B.)
 
     The index for intermediate energy goods rose 0.9 percent after declining
0.6 percent in July.  The index for industrial electric power turned up 0.5
percent after falling 2.2 percent in the previous month.  Prices for gasoline
and commercial electric power also increased after declining a month earlier.
The index for liquefied petroleum gas rose after remaining unchanged in July.
In addition, prices for jet fuels rose more than a month ago.  On the other
hand, the index for diesel fuel remained unchanged after rising 5.1 percent
in the prior month.  Prices for residual fuel and liquid asphalt turned down
after increasing in the previous month.
 
     The index for nondurable manufacturing materials rose 0.3 percent after
falling 0.8 percent a month earlier.  The index for miscellaneous basic
organic chemicals turned up 0.9 percent after declining 2.0 percent in the
previous month.  Prices for both intermediate basic organic chemicals and for
plastic resins and materials also increased after falling a month earlier.
The indexes for paperboard, paper, and miscellaneous inorganic chemicals
declined less than in the previous month.  By contrast, the rise in the index
for woodpulp slowed to 2.3 percent from 5.3 percent a month ago.  Prices for
synthetic fibers remained unchanged after increasing in the previous month.
 
     The index for construction materials turned up 0.3 percent after falling
0.1 percent a month earlier.  The index for softwood lumber rose 4.3 percent
after declining 3.2 percent in the previous month.  The index for plywood
also turned up after falling in July.  Prices for gypsum products increased
after remaining unchanged a month earlier.  The index for nonferrous wire and
cable fell less than a month ago, and prices for millwork rose more than in
July.  Conversely, the index for plastic construction products turned down
0.5 percent after rising 0.8 percent in the previous month.  Prices for
asphalt felts and coatings and for plumbing fixtures and brass fittings also
declined after increasing a month ago.
 
     The decline in the index for durable manufacturing materials slowed to
0.6 percent from 0.9 percent in the previous month.  The index for copper
turned up 0.5 percent after falling 13.8 percent a month earlier.  Prices for
cold rolled steel sheet and strip and for building paper and board also rose
after decreasing in July.  The index for hot rolled steel sheet and strip
rose more than a month ago.  In addition, prices for copper and brass mill
shapes fell less than in the previous month.  On the other hand, the index
for aluminum mill shapes declined 1.9 percent after falling 0.5 percent in
July.  Prices for flat glass turned down after rising a month earlier and the
index for aluminum declined after remaining unchanged a month ago.
 
     The index for intermediate foods and feeds turned up 0.2 percent after
falling 0.1 percent in the previous month.  The index for pork rose 8.7
percent after decreasing 3.3 percent a month earlier.  Prices for crude
vegetable oils and confectionery materials also turned up after falling in
July.  The indexes for beef and veal and for natural and processed cheese
rose more than a month ago.  By contrast, the index for prepared animal feeds
turned down 0.1 percent after increasing 1.2 percent in the previous month.
Prices for fluid milk products and for condensed and evaporated milk also
decreased after rising in the prior month.
 
Crude goods
 
     The Producer Price Index for Crude Materials for Further Processing rose
0.2 percent in August, seasonally adjusted, after increasing 2.0 percent in
the previous month.  The index for crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs turned
down in August after rising a month earlier.  Prices for crude energy
materials rose less than in July.  By contrast, the index for basic
industrial materials turned up after falling a month ago.  (See table B.)
 
     Prices for crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs turned down 0.3 percent after
rising 2.7 percent in the prior month.  The index for corn fell 3.8 percent
following an 11.1-percent increase in July.  Prices for slaughter cattle
remained unchanged after gaining 5.2 percent a month ago.  The indexes for
fresh and dry vegetables, slaughter turkeys, and unprocessed finfish turned
down after rising in the previous month.  Prices for wheat fell more than in
July.  By contrast, the index for soybeans advanced 11.4 percent following a
1.2-percent increase a month ago.  Prices for slaughter broilers fell less
than in July.  The indexes for fresh fruits and melons and for raw cane sugar
turned up after falling in the prior month.  Prices for slaughter hogs rose
more than a month ago.
 
     Prices for crude energy materials rose 0.7 percent after increasing 3.9
percent in the previous month.  The index for natural gas declined 1.2
percent after rising 6.6 percent in July (see the special note at the end of
this release regarding changes in this index).  The index for crude petroleum
advanced 3.2 percent after rising 3.5 percent a month earlier.  Conversely,
prices for coal turned up 0.1 percent after falling 0.7 percent a month ago.
 
     The index for crude nonfood materials less energy turned up 0.1 percent
after falling 1.6 percent in July.  Prices for copper ores declined 8.2
percent after dropping 17.6 percent in the prior month.  The indexes for
aluminum base scrap, gold ores, raw cotton, and for softwood logs, bolts, and
timber rose after falling a month ago.  Prices for iron and steel scrap
remained unchanged after falling in July.  By contrast, the index for
pulpwood rose 0.3 percent following a 2.2-percent increase in the previous
month.  Prices for construction sand, gravel, and crushed stone also rose
less than in the prior month.  The index for phosphates fell more than in the
prior month.
 
Net output price indexes for mining, manufacturing, and other industries
 
Mining.  The Producer Price Index for the net output of total domestic mining
industries rose 0.5 percent in August, the same as in July.  (Net output
price indexes are not seasonally adjusted.)   Price increases for the
industry groups for oil and gas extraction and for the mining of gold ores
outweighed declines for the industry groups for mining of copper ores and
nonmetallic minerals mining.  In August, the Producer Price Index for total
mining stood at 80.4 (December 1984=100), 18.9 percent higher than a year
earlier.
 
Manufacturing.  The Producer Price Index for total domestic manufacturing
industries moved up 0.2 percent in August, after showing no change in July.
The industry group for petroleum refining turned up 1.0 percent, following a
0.9-percent decline in the previous month.  Prices also turned up after
falling in July for lumber and wood products, chemicals and allied products,
leather products, and electrical machinery.  Price increases accelerated for
the industry groups for food and kindred products and textile mill products.
Price declines slowed from July to August for the industry groups for paper
and primary metal industries.  By contrast, prices turned down after edging
up in July, for the apparel industry group.  The index for the industry group
for nonmetallic minerals products rose less than a month earlier.  The index
for total manufacturing was 127.4 (December 1984=100), 2.4 percent higher
than a year ago.
 
Other.  Among other industries, prices for passenger car rental fell 3.3
percent in August, after moving up 14.7 percent in the previous month.
Prices also turned down after increasing in July for non-local trucking,
tugging and towing services, air passenger transportation, nonscheduled air
transportation, airports and airport services, crude petroleum pipelines,
travel agencies, and for truck rental and leasing.  Price increases slowed
for freight transportation along the Great Lakes, refined petroleum
pipelines, skilled and intermediate care facilities, and for accounting
services.  The index for water transportation of freight (not elsewhere
classified) fell more than in July.  By contrast, prices turned up after
falling in the previous month for radio broadcasting, electric power
utilities, and for operators of non-residential buildings.  Price increases
accelerated for marine cargo handling and collection of recovered paper.
Indexes fell less than in July for freight transportation arrangement, metal
scrap collection, and other specialty hospitals.
 
                                    *****
            Producer Price Index data for September 1996 will be
            released on Friday, October 11, at 8:30 a.m. (E.D.T.)
                                    *****
Information in this news release will be made available to sensory impaired
individuals upon request.  Voice phone: 202-606-7828; TDD phone: 202-606-
5897; TDD Message Referral phone: 1-800-326-2577.
 
 
 
                          Natural Gas Index Revised
 
Effective with the release of data for August 1996, the 1-month lag in the
PPI for Natural Gas, commodity code 05-31, has been eliminated.  This index,
which is included in the crude stage of processing only, has had a 1-month
lag since its inception in 1967.
 
The August PPI for Natural Gas reflects the change in prices reported for
this commodity between the July and August PPI pricing dates.  Concurrent
with the August release, the July 1996 PPI for Natural Gas, as well as all
other affected July 1996 indexes, have been revised to eliminate the 1-month
lag in pricing reflected in the first-published July Natural Gas index.
Therefore, the revised July 1996 percent changes in the Natural Gas and other
affected indexes represent a two-month (May to July) price movement.
 
The table below shows first-published and revised percent changes for
selected July indexes on a seasonally adjusted basis.  A more complete list
can be found in the August 1996 edition of the PPI Detailed Report.
 
 
Index                    First-published   Revised
 
Crude Materials for      1.2               2.0
further processing
Crude Energy Materials   1.4               3.9
Natural Gas              0.6               6.6
 
 
To permit interested users to assess the impact of the change in pricing, the
Bureau of Labor Statistics will make available, on request, estimates for the
Natural Gas series, commodity code 05-31, based on unlagged data for the
period from August 1994 to August 1996.
 
For more information, call the Division of Industrial Prices and Price
Indexes, Section of Index Analysis at (202) 606-7705.
 Table  1.  Producer Price Indexes and percent changes by stage of processing
(1982=100)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
                                                 |          |                       |Unadjusted     |
                                                 |          |                       |  percent      |Seasonally adjusted
                                                 | Relative |    Unadjusted index   |change to      |percent change from:
                    Grouping                     |importance|                       |Aug. 1996 from:|
                                                 |          |_______________________|_______________|_______________________________
                                                 |   Dec.   |       |       |       |       |       |       |         |
                                                 |           Apr.   |July   |Aug.   |  Aug. | July  | May to|June  to |July  to
                                                 |   1995 1/|1996 2/|1996 2/|1996 2/|  1995 | 1996  |  June |   July  |  Aug.
_________________________________________________|__________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_________|____________
                                                 |
Finished goods...................................|  100.000   130.6   131.5   131.9     3.0    0.3      0.2      0       0.3
  Finished consumer goods........................|   75.328   128.7   129.9   130.4     3.6     .4       .3      -.2      .5
    Finished consumer foods......................|   23.341   131.2   133.6   135.4     5.1    1.3      1.6       .2     1.0
      Crude......................................|    1.542   131.7   122.4   121.0    11.8   -1.1      7.6     -3.0    -2.1
      Processed..................................|   21.799   131.1   134.4   136.4     4.7    1.5      1.2       .4     1.3
    Finished consumer goods, excluding foods.....|   51.987   127.4   128.1   128.1     3.0    0        -.3      -.2      .2
      Nondurable goods less foods................|   35.295   123.1   124.0   124.2     3.7     .2      -.7      -.2      .2
      Durable goods..............................|   16.692   134.0   134.0   133.6     1.3    -.3       .4      -.3     0
  Capital equipment..............................|   24.672   138.3   138.2   138.0     1.0    -.1      -.1       .3     -.1
    Manufacturing industries.....................|    6.146   137.1   137.1   137.1      .9    0        -.1       .1     0
    Nonmanufacturing industries..................|   18.526   138.7   138.6   138.3     1.2    -.2      -.1       .3     -.1
                                                 |
Intermediate materials, supplies, and components.|  100.000   125.4   125.8   126.0     0       .2      -.5      -.3      .2
  Materials and components for manufacturing.....|   50.055   128.3   128.3   128.3    -2.3    0         .1      -.5     0
    Materials for food manufacturing.............|    3.315   121.6   128.4   129.0     7.5     .5      1.9      -.6      .3
    Materials for nondurable manufacturing.......|   16.240   130.5   129.4   129.7    -5.4     .2      0        -.8      .3
    Materials for durable manufacturing..........|   11.189   131.2   131.2   130.4    -4.4    -.6       .2      -.9     -.6
    Components for manufacturing.................|   19.311   126.9   126.6   126.7      .1     .1      -.3      -.2      .1
  Materials and components for construction......|   12.541   142.5   143.7   144.1      .8     .3       .4      -.1      .3
  Processed fuels and lubricants.................|   12.359    89.3    90.7    91.6     6.5    1.0     -3.8      -.5      .9
    Manufacturing industries ....................|    4.913    91.8    92.9    93.6     5.2     .8     -4.1     -1.3      .8
    Nonmanufacturing industries..................|    7.446    87.8    89.2    90.3     7.4    1.2     -3.7       .1      .9
  Containers.....................................|    3.875   143.0   139.3   138.7    -8.8    -.4     -1.2      -.4     -.4
  Supplies.......................................|   21.170   135.7   136.2   136.3     2.7     .1      0        0        .1
    Manufacturing industries.....................|    7.550   138.3   138.7   139.0      .9     .2       .1      -.1      .4
    Nonmanufacturing industries..................|   13.620   134.3   134.9   134.9     3.8    0        -.1      0        .1
      Feeds......................................|    1.541   132.4   138.4   138.3    34.9    -.1       .3       .9      .1
      Other supplies.............................|   12.079   134.6   134.4   134.4      .4    0        -.1      -.1      .1
                                                 |
Crude materials for further processing...........|  100.000   114.4   114.8   114.5    13.9    -.3     -2.3      2.0      .2
  Foodstuffs and feedstuffs......................|   44.045   119.6   130.4   129.4    23.5    -.8      1.4      2.7     -.3
  Nonfood materials..............................|   55.955   106.7   100.3   100.6     7.2     .3     -5.3      1.7      .4
    Nonfood materials except fuel 3/.............|   38.758   108.3   102.8   103.7     -.7     .9     -2.8       .1     1.2
      Manufacturing 3/...........................|   34.758   100.4    94.8    95.6     -.5     .8     -2.9       .1     1.2
      Construction...............................|    4.000   191.6   192.0   193.9    -2.6    1.0      -.9      -.6     1.0
    Crude fuel 4/................................|   17.197    93.9    86.6    85.7    28.9   -1.0    -10.3      5.2    -1.0
      Manufacturing industries...................|    3.654    91.8    85.3    84.5    25.0    -.9     -9.4      4.7     -.9
      Nonmanufacturing industries................|   13.543    95.6    88.0    87.1    30.0   -1.0    -10.7      5.4    -1.0
                                                 |
               Special groupings                 |
                                                 |
Finished goods, excluding foods..................|5/ 76.659   130.4   130.8   130.8     2.3    0        -.3      -.1      .1
Intermediate materials less foods and feeds......|6/ 95.144   125.4   125.5   125.7     -.7     .2      -.6      -.4      .2
Intermediate foods and feeds.....................|6/  4.856   125.3   131.9   132.3    15.2     .3      1.3      -.1      .2
Crude materials less agricultural products 3/ 7/.|8/ 53.384   106.0    99.6    99.9     7.8     .3     -5.4      1.6      .3
                                                 |
Finished energy goods............................|5/ 13.443    83.3    84.1    84.5     6.4     .5     -2.1      -.9      .7
Finished goods less energy.......................|5/ 86.557   138.8   139.7   140.0     2.4     .2       .6       .1      .2
Finished consumer goods less energy..............|5/ 61.885   138.9   140.2   140.7     2.9     .4       .9       .1      .4
                                                 |
Finished goods less foods and energy.............|5/ 63.216   141.7   142.0   141.8     1.4    -.1       .2       .1     -.1
Finished consumer goods less foods and energy....|5/ 38.544   143.8   144.4   144.1     1.6    -.2       .3      -.1     0
Consumer nondurable goods less foods and energy..|5/ 21.852   150.8   151.8   151.6     1.7    -.1       .2       .2     -.1
                                                 |
Intermediate energy goods........................|6/ 12.503    89.1    90.5    91.4     6.4    1.0     -3.7      -.6      .9
Intermediate materials less energy...............|6/ 87.497   133.3   133.5   133.5    -1.0    0        0        -.3      .1
Intermediate materials less foods and energy.....|6/ 82.641   133.9   133.6   133.6    -1.8    0        -.1      -.3      .1
                                                 |
Crude energy materials 3/........................|8/ 32.219    87.3    80.4    81.0    23.5     .7     -7.7      3.9      .7
Crude materials less energy......................|8/ 67.781   129.1   135.5   134.7     9.6    -.6       .5      1.3     -.1
Crude nonfood materials less energy 4/...........|8/ 23.736   157.6   153.1   152.5   -12.4    -.4     -1.4     -1.6      .1
                                                 |
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
  1/  Comprehensive relative importance figures are initially computed          3/  Includes crude petrolem.
      after the publication of December indexes and are recalculated            4/  Excludes crude petroleum.
      after final December indexes are available.  The first-published          5/  Percent of total finished goods.
      and final December relative importances initially appear,                 6/  Pecent of total intermediate materials.
      respectively, in the release tables containing January and May data.      7/  Formerly titled "Crude materials for
  2/  The indexes for Apr.  1996 have been recalculated to incorporate              further processing, excluding crude
      late reports and corrections by respondents.  All indexes                     foodstuffs and feedstuffs, plant and
      are subject to revision four months after original publication.               animal fibers, oilseeds, and leaf tobacco."
                                                                                8/  Percent of total crude materials.
 Table  2.  Producer Price Indexes and percent changes for selected commodity groupings by stage of processing
(1982=100 unless otherwise indicated)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
           |                                                       |                       |Unadjusted     |
           |                                                       |                       | percent       |Seasonally adjusted
           |                                                       |   Unadjusted index    |change to      |percent change from:
 Commodity |                                                       |                       |Aug. 1996 from:|
   code    |                      Grouping                         |_______________________|_______________|________________________
           |                                                       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
           |                                                       |Apr.   |July   |Aug.   | Aug.  | July  | May to|June to|July to
           |                                                       |1996 1/|1996 1/|1996 1/| 1995  | 1996  |  June |  July |  Aug.
___________|_______________________________________________________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|________
           |                                                       |
           |FINISHED GOODS.........................................| 130.6   131.5   131.9     3.0    0.3      0.2     0       0.3
           | FINISHED CONSUMER GOODS...............................| 128.7   129.9   130.4     3.6     .4       .3     -.2      .5
           |  FINISHED CONSUMER FOODS..............................| 131.2   133.6   135.4     5.1    1.3      1.6      .2     1.0
           |                                                       |
01-11      |   Fresh fruits and melons 2/..........................|  82.2    93.2    94.8     1.9    1.7     22.6   -15.4     1.7
01-13      |   Fresh and dry vegetables 2/.........................| 168.0   130.9   115.3     1.9  -11.9     -5.4     2.3   -11.9
01-71-07   |   Eggs for fresh use (Dec. 1991=100) 2/...............| 107.5    95.1   104.0    27.9    9.4      6.8     -.8     9.4
02-11      |   Bakery products 2/..................................| 167.5   170.0   170.9     3.6     .5       .7      .5      .5
02-13      |   Milled rice 2/......................................| 126.1   132.7   133.1    14.6     .3      -.1      .6      .3
02-14-02   |   Pasta products (June 1985=100) 2/...................| 127.2   126.6   126.3     4.9    -.2       .1     -.1     -.2
02-21-01   |   Beef and veal.......................................|  94.2    98.3   102.5     4.9    4.3      5.6     2.6     4.9
02-21-04   |   Pork................................................| 112.6   125.2   137.4    26.4    9.7      3.2    -3.3     8.7
02-22-03   |   Processed young chickens............................| 111.6   125.5   127.7     7.1    1.8      7.4     1.4     -.4
02-22-06   |   Processed turkeys...................................| 107.3   107.4   105.4    -1.4   -1.9       .4      .3    -3.8
02-23      |   Finfish and shellfish...............................| 166.0   163.4   159.3    -6.7   -2.5      4.6     5.2    -2.3
02-3       |   Dairy products......................................| 123.2   134.8   136.5    14.7    1.3      4.6     1.7     1.3
02-4       |   Processed fruits and vegetables 2/..................| 127.3   128.3   128.0     4.1    -.2       .1      .3     -.2
02-55      |   Confectionery end products 2/.......................| 166.3   167.3   167.3     3.5    0         .4     -.5     0
02-62      |   Soft drinks.........................................| 134.1   133.6   134.2      .5     .4       .3      .6      .6
02-63-01   |   Roasted coffee......................................| 131.2   128.0   127.6   -14.0    -.3     -1.5    -1.5    -1.5
02-76      |   Shortening and cooking oils 2/......................| 137.9   137.4   139.2    -2.1    1.3     -2.9    -1.6     1.3
           |                                                       |
           |  FINISHED CONSUMER GOODS EXCLUDING FOODS..............| 127.4   128.1   128.1     3.0    0        -.3     -.2      .2
           |                                                       |
02-61      |   Alcoholic beverages.................................| 132.6   133.7   133.8     3.8     .1       .9      .8      .2
03-81-01   |   Women's apparel 2/..................................| 118.9   120.4   120.1      .6    -.2       .7      .1     -.2
03-81-02   |   Men's and boys' apparel.............................| 132.2   132.4   132.2     1.4    -.2       .3     0       -.2
03-81-03   |   Girls', children's, and infants' apparel 2/.........| 121.8   122.1   122.1      .6    0         .3      .2     0
03-82      |   Textile housefurnishings 2/.........................| 121.0   123.6   123.4     2.7    -.2       .2     1.7     -.2
04-3       |   Footwear............................................| 141.2   141.5   142.0     1.9     .4       .6     -.2      .4
05-41      |   Residential electric power (Dec. 1990=100)..........| 110.1   116.8   116.9      .6     .1       .4     -.8      .1
05-51      |   Residential gas (Dec. 1990=100).....................| 109.8   110.7   111.4     7.9     .6      -.2     1.4      .7
05-71      |   Gasoline............................................|  76.4    73.7    73.2    13.5    -.7     -7.4    -2.8      .9
05-73-02-01|   Fuel oil No. 2......................................|  75.6    62.6    67.3    21.7    7.5    -11.4     4.4     4.1
06-35      |   Pharmaceutical preps, ethical (Prescription)........| 263.4   266.2   265.0     3.1    -.5       .8      .4     -.6
06-36      |   Pharmaceutical preps,proprietary (Over-counter).....| 187.2   183.4   183.3    -1.8    -.1     -1.7      .1      .1
06-71      |   Soaps and synthetic detergents 2/...................| 125.3   125.5   125.2     2.0    -.2      -.1      .1     -.2
06-75      |   Cosmetics and other toilet preparations 2/..........| 129.6   130.1   130.0     2.2    -.1       .4      .2     -.1
07-12      |   Tires, tubes, tread, etc 2/.........................|  96.9    96.0    96.8    -4.2     .8      0      -1.3      .8
09-15-01   |   Sanitary papers and health products 2/..............| 151.4   148.6   149.5     1.0     .6      0      -1.1      .6
09-31-01   |   Newspaper circulation...............................| 196.9   199.8   199.8     6.9    0        1.2      .9      .3
09-32-01   |   Periodical circulation..............................| 179.3   180.8   180.4     2.0    -.2       .5     0       -.1
09-33      |   Book publishing 2/..................................| 193.5   194.6   192.2     3.2   -1.2       .5      .2    -1.2
12-1       |   Household furniture 2/..............................| 144.2   144.6   144.6     1.7    0         .1     -.1     0
12-3       |   Floor coverings 2/..................................| 124.8   126.5   127.2     2.9     .6      -.2      .9      .6
12-4       |   Household appliances 2/.............................| 113.0   113.0   113.1      .8     .1      -.1     0        .1
12-5       |   Home electronic equipment 2/........................|  79.0    79.1    78.8      .5    -.4      -.1      .1     -.4
12-62      |   Household glassware 2/..............................| 157.9   157.8   157.8     2.7    0        0       -.1     0
12-64      |   Household flatware 2/...............................| 138.5   137.7   137.7     -.1    0        0       -.6     0
12-66      |   Lawn and garden equip., ex. tractors 2/.............| 132.1   132.3   132.6     1.8     .2      0        .2      .2
14-11-01   |   Passenger cars......................................| 135.2   134.9   133.6     1.8   -1.0      1.0     -.9     -.2
15-11      |   Toys, games, and children's vehicles................| 125.3   125.3   125.1      .6    -.2      0        .1     0
15-12      |   Sporting and athletic goods 2/......................| 123.3   123.2   123.8     1.3     .5      -.2     -.1      .5
15-2       |   Tobacco products 2/.................................| 233.3   241.0   240.5     3.0    -.2      0        .1     -.2
15-5       |   Mobile homes 2/.....................................| 148.9   150.3   150.2     3.7    -.1       .7      .2     -.1
15-94-02   |   Jewelry, platinum, & karat gold 2/..................| 129.5   129.1   129.2     1.0     .1      3.2    -3.2      .1
15-94-04   |   Costume jewelry and novelties 2/....................| 134.9   137.0   138.9     2.7    1.4      0       1.4     1.4
           |                                                       |
           | CAPITAL EQUIPMENT.....................................| 138.3   138.2   138.0     1.0    -.1      -.1      .3     -.1
           |                                                       |
11-1       |   Agricultural machinery and equipment 2/.............| 147.4   144.8   145.2     1.2     .3       .1     0        .3
11-2       |   Construction machinery and equipment................| 139.5   139.7   140.0     2.4     .2       .3     -.1      .1
11-37      |   Metal cutting machine tools 2/......................| 151.2   152.8   152.9     2.5     .1       .3     -.1      .1
11-38      |   Metal forming machine tools 2/......................| 148.5   151.0   150.8     3.0    -.1       .3      .5     -.1
11-39      |   Tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, and ind. molds 2/......| 135.6   136.2   136.4     1.6     .1      0        .1      .1
11-41      |   Pumps, compressors, and equipment...................| 143.2   143.4   143.6     3.1     .1       .1      .4      .3
11-44      |   Industrial material handling equipment 2/...........| 127.2   127.4   127.6     1.5     .2      0       0        .2
11-51      |   Electronic computers (Dec. 1990=100) 2/.............|  43.8    42.0    41.2   -18.6   -1.9     -3.5      .7    -1.9
11-62      |   Textile machinery 2/................................| 148.2   148.4   148.4     1.2    0         .1     0       0
11-64      |   Paper industries machinery (June 1982=100) 2/.......| 153.6   153.9   154.2     1.6     .2       .2      .1      .2
11-65      |   Printing trades machinery 2/........................| 136.1   137.2   137.5     2.8     .2       .4     0        .2
11-74      |   Transformers and power regulators 2/................| 130.5   129.7   128.3    -1.0   -1.1       .1     -.5    -1.1
11-76      |   Communication & related equip. (Dec. 1985=100) 2/...| 113.0   113.2   113.1     1.1    -.1      0        .2     -.1
11-79-05   |   X-ray and electromedical equipment 2/...............| 112.0   109.6   109.8    -1.4     .2      0       -.1      .2
11-91      |   Oil field and gas field machinery 2/................| 117.1   118.1   118.1     3.1    0         .5      .3     0
11-92      |   Mining machinery and equipment 2/...................| 138.9   139.4   139.4     2.5    0        0        .4     0
11-93      |   Office and store machines and equipment 2/..........| 112.0   112.0   112.1      .6     .1      0        .2      .1
12-2       |   Commercial furniture 2/.............................| 151.3   151.7   151.7     1.9    0        0       -.1     0
14-11-05   |   Light motor trucks..................................| 160.4   159.3   158.6      .3    -.4       .6     -.2     -.2
14-11-06   |   Heavy motor trucks..................................| 147.2   146.1   146.2      .9     .1     -1.7      .6      .1
14-14      |   Truck trailers 2/...................................| 130.5   130.7   130.1    -1.5    -.5      -.1      .1     -.5
14-21-02   |   Civilian aircraft (Dec. 1985=100)...................| 146.1   148.0   147.4     3.4    -.4       .1     1.9     -.3
14-31      |   Ships (Dec. 1985=100) 2/............................| 138.8   138.0   138.9     4.5     .7      (3)     -.2      .7
14-4       |   Railroad equipment..................................| 137.8   137.3   137.2     1.1    -.1      -.3      .1     -.1
           |                                                       |
           |INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, AND COMPONENTS.......| 125.4   125.8   126.0     0       .2      -.5     -.3      .2
           |                                                       |
           | INTERMEDIATE FOODS AND FEEDS..........................| 125.3   131.9   132.3    15.2     .3      1.3     -.1      .2
           |                                                       |
02-12-03   |   Flour 2/............................................| 140.4   141.6   132.4     2.8   -6.5     -4.7    -8.1    -6.5
02-53      |   Refined sugar 2/....................................| 123.4   126.8   126.2     6.6    -.5      3.8     -.7     -.5
02-54      |   Confectionery materials.............................| 106.3   106.6   106.7    -2.4     .1      0      -2.3      .2
02-72      |   Crude vegetable oils 2/.............................| 122.3   118.4   119.4    -6.7     .8     -3.5    -5.2      .8
02-9       |   Prepared animal feeds 2/............................| 134.8   139.8   139.7    28.9    -.1      -.2     1.2     -.1
           |                                                       |
           | INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS LESS FOODS AND FEEDS...........| 125.4   125.5   125.7     -.7     .2      -.6     -.4      .2
           |                                                       |
03-1       |   Synthetic fibers 2/.................................| 111.2   113.0   113.0     1.8    0        0       1.7     0
03-2       |   Processed yarns and threads 2/......................| 114.7   114.4   114.8     1.1     .3       .1     1.1      .3
03-3       |   Gray fabrics 2/.....................................| 122.4   121.3   121.6      .2     .2      -.3      .2      .2
03-4       |   Finished fabrics 2/.................................| 123.6   123.6   123.9     1.3     .2       .1     -.1      .2
03-83-03   |   Industrial textile products 2/......................| 121.6   121.5   121.2     1.8    -.2       .1     -.2     -.2
04-2       |   Leather 2/..........................................| 176.1   172.9   174.8    -8.0    1.1     -1.9    -1.5     1.1
05-32      |   Liquefied petroleum gas 2/..........................|  81.0    74.4    78.1    26.6    5.0     -2.2     0       5.0
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
  See footnotes at end of table
 Table 2.  Producer Price Indexes and percent changes for selected commodity groupings by stage of processing - (Continued).
 
(1982=100 unless otherwise indicated)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
           |                                                       |                       |Unadjusted     |
           |                                                       |                       | percent       |Seasonally adjusted
           |                                                       |   Unadjusted index    |change to      |percent change from:
 Commodity |                                                       |                       |Aug. 1996 from:|
   code    |                      Grouping                         |_______________________|_______________|________________________
           |                                                       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
           |                                                       |Apr.   |July   |Aug.   | Aug.  | July  | May to|June to|July to
           |                                                       |1996 1/|1996 1/|1996 1/| 1995  | 1996  |  June |  July |  Aug.
___________|_______________________________________________________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|________
           |                                                       |
           | INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS LESS FOODS AND FEEDS           |
           |   -Continued..........................................|
05-42      |   Commercial electric power...........................| 126.6   137.6   138.2    -1.1    0.4     -1.2    -0.5     0.5
05-43      |   Industrial electric power...........................| 129.1   134.9   135.3     -.9     .3     -4.0    -2.2      .5
05-52      |   Commercial natural gas (Dec. 1990=100) 2/...........| 102.6   100.7   102.0    10.0    1.3      -.6     1.0     1.3
05-53      |   Industrial natural gas (Dec. 1990=100) 2/...........|  96.6    97.9    98.4    12.8     .5       .5      .3      .5
05-54      |   Natural gas to electric utilities (Dec. 1990=100) 2/|  89.8    88.5    88.8     8.6     .3     -2.3      .5      .3
05-72-03   |   Jet fuels...........................................|  66.7    62.7    65.3    21.2    4.1     -9.1      .2     3.0
05-73-03   |   No. 2 Diesel fuel...................................|  75.4    67.0    69.6    24.3    3.9     -9.2     5.1     0
05-74      |   Residual fuel 2/....................................|  56.2    61.1    60.9    12.8    -.3       .5     2.2     -.3
06-1       |   Industrial chemicals 2/.............................| 126.9   126.3   126.9    -2.1     .5       .2    -2.0      .5
06-21      |   Prepared paint......................................| 145.9   146.5   146.3     2.1    -.1       .6      .1     0
06-22      |   Paint materials 2/..................................| 143.1   141.4   141.4      .6    0         .5    -1.7     0
06-31      |   Medicinal and botanical chemicals 2/................| 127.9   129.4   129.2      .9    -.2       .2     0       -.2
06-4       |   Fats and oils, inedible 2/..........................| 116.1   135.5   147.4    18.1    8.8      1.8     2.1     8.8
06-51      |   Mixed fertilizers...................................| 116.3   115.0   114.7     2.8    -.3       .2     -.2      .3
06-52-01   |   Nitrogenates........................................| 135.1   124.9   121.1     -.3   -3.0     -1.9     -.2     1.0
06-52-02   |   Phosphates 2/.......................................| 122.6   115.6   111.9     4.0   -3.2     -3.1    -1.6    -3.2
06-53      |   Other agricultural chemicals........................| 146.2   145.3   145.5      .7     .1       .5      .3      .5
06-6       |   Plastic resins and materials 2/.....................| 127.7   132.6   134.7    -7.0    1.6      2.5     -.3     1.6
07-11-02   |   Synthetic rubber 2/.................................| 122.3   122.1   122.0    -5.4    -.1      -.1      .1     -.1
07-21      |   Plastic construction products 2/....................| 130.7   132.6   131.9    -3.2    -.5       .8      .8     -.5
07-22      |   Unsupported plastic film, sheet, & other shapes.....| 131.3   133.3   133.2    -2.1    -.1       .8      .1      .5
07-26      |   Plastic parts and components for manufacturing 2/...| 117.7   117.7   117.4      .9    -.3       .3     0       -.3
08-11      |   Softwood lumber 2/..................................| 178.5   191.1   199.3    12.5    4.3      2.9    -3.2     4.3
08-12      |   Hardwood lumber 2/..................................| 163.8   162.8   163.1    -1.7     .2       .1     -.2      .2
08-2       |   Millwork 2/.........................................| 164.6   167.0   168.0     2.4     .6       .6      .1      .6
08-3       |   Plywood 2/..........................................| 151.6   155.3   158.4    -7.4    2.0     -1.9     -.4     2.0
09-11      |   Woodpulp 2/.........................................| 120.3   125.9   128.8   -35.8    2.3      2.9     5.3     2.3
09-13      |   Paper 2/............................................| 152.6   145.5   145.1   -12.0    -.3      -.6    -1.4     -.3
09-14      |   Paperboard 2/.......................................| 161.8   148.7   148.6   -22.0    -.1     -3.3    -2.7     -.1
09-15-03   |   Paper boxes and containers 2/.......................| 157.6   150.3   148.6   -12.3   -1.1     -2.1     -.9    -1.1
09-2       |   Building paper and board 2/.........................| 136.2   134.3   137.5    -3.4    2.4      -.9    -1.1     2.4
09-37      |   Commercial printing (June 1982=100) 2/..............| 148.3   148.2   148.8     2.1     .4      0       -.1      .4
10-15      |   Foundry and forge shop products.....................| 132.4   132.7   132.9     2.3     .2       .4     -.1      .2
10-17      |   Steel mill products 2/..............................| 114.9   115.4   116.1    -4.2     .6       .1      .1      .6
10-22      |   Primary nonferrous metals 2/........................| 132.4   130.1   117.2   -20.8   -9.9      1.3    -4.7    -9.9
10-25-01   |   Aluminum mill shapes 2/.............................| 147.3   145.9   143.1   -10.2   -1.9      -.1     -.5    -1.9
10-25-02   |   Copper and brass mill shapes 2/.....................| 182.4   174.4   170.6   -13.4   -2.2     -5.2    -4.9    -2.2
10-26      |   Nonferrous wire and cable 2/........................| 148.6   145.5   144.6    -5.6    -.6      -.9    -2.7     -.6
10-3       |   Metal containers 2/.................................| 110.5   109.6   109.6    -7.1    0       -1.0      .2     0
10-4       |   Hardware............................................| 143.5   143.7   144.1     1.8     .3      0        .1      .3
10-5       |   Plumbing fixtures and brass fittings................| 171.0   171.9   171.4     2.8    -.3       .4      .8     -.3
10-6       |   Heating equipment...................................| 150.6   151.2   151.9     2.6     .5       .5     0        .6
10-7       |   Fabricated structural metal products................| 137.2   137.8   137.9     1.4     .1       .1      .1      .1
10-88      |   Fabricated ferrous wire products (June 1982=100) 2/.| 126.8   127.2   127.1      .9    -.1       .2     0       -.1
10-89      |   Other misc. metal products 2/.......................| 125.6   125.5   125.6      .2     .1      -.1     0        .1
11-45      |   Mechanical power transmission equipment.............| 151.1   151.5   151.5     2.4    0         .1      .3      .2
11-48      |   Air conditioning and refrigeration equipment........| 132.7   132.7   132.9     1.8     .2      -.2      .2      .2
11-49-02   |   Metal valves, ex.fluid power (Dec. 1982=100)........| 149.8   150.5   149.8     2.2    -.5       .2     -.3     -.5
11-49-05   |   Ball and roller bearings 2/.........................| 157.1   157.7   157.8     3.5     .1       .1      .3      .1
11-71      |   Wiring devices......................................| 151.0   151.6   151.6     2.6    0         .2      .3     0
11-73      |   Motors, generators, motor generator sets............| 146.1   146.1   145.9     1.1    -.1       .1      .1     -.1
11-75      |   Switchgear, switchboard, etc., equipment............| 141.7   141.9   142.7     2.0     .6       .8     -.5      .8
11-78      |   Electronic components and accessories 2/............| 109.4   108.5   108.8    -3.6     .3     -1.8    -1.0      .3
11-94      |   Internal combustion engines.........................| 138.3   139.1   139.4     2.3     .2       .5     -.1      .1
11-95      |   Machine shop products 2/............................| 133.2   133.4   133.3     1.4    -.1      -.2      .4     -.1
13-11      |   Flat glass 2/.......................................| 110.0   110.1   108.6    -3.4   -1.4      -.1     1.1    -1.4
13-22      |   Cement..............................................| 133.3   135.0   135.3     4.3     .2       .3      .2      .2
13-3       |   Concrete products...................................| 132.8   133.5   133.6     3.0     .1       .6      .4     0
13-6       |   Asphalt felts and coatings 2/.......................|  99.9   101.0   100.6     -.5    -.4      -.6      .9     -.4
13-7       |   Gypsum products 2/..................................| 145.3   152.0   157.6     2.7    3.7      3.1     0       3.7
13-8       |   Glass containers 2/.................................| 129.7   129.7   129.8     -.9     .1      0       0        .1
14-12      |   Motor vehicle parts 2/..............................| 116.3   115.8   115.8     -.3    0        -.2      .1     0
14-23      |   Aircraft engines & engine parts (Dec. 1985=100).....| 133.9   134.2   134.4      .6     .1     -1.0     -.1      .2
14-25      |   Aircraft parts & aux.equip.,nec (June 1985=100) 2/..| 139.4   137.9   137.9     2.6    0        -.1     -.3     0
15-42      |   Photographic supplies 2/............................| 129.8   129.8   127.3     -.5   -1.9      0       -.1    -1.9
15-6       |   Medical/surgical/personal aid devices...............| 143.4   143.6   143.7     1.8     .1       .1     -.1      .1
           |                                                       |
           | CRUDE MATERIALS FOR FURTHER PROCESSING................| 114.4   114.8   114.5    13.9    -.3     -2.3     2.0      .2
           |                                                       |
           |  CRUDE FOODSTUFFS AND FEEDSTUFFS......................| 119.6   130.4   129.4    23.5    -.8      1.4     2.7     -.3
           |                                                       |
01-21      |   Wheat...............................................| 149.3   139.0   128.5     5.7   -7.6    -11.4    -6.2    -9.3
01-22-02-05|   Corn................................................| 176.5   209.8   193.2    75.8   -7.9     -3.3    11.1    -3.8
01-31      |   Slaughter cattle....................................|  90.6    95.4    97.1     4.2    1.8      6.3     5.2     0
01-32      |   Slaughter hogs......................................|  82.2    96.7   100.8    23.1    4.2     -6.9      .1     3.7
01-41-02   |   Slaughter broilers/fryers...........................| 124.5   160.9   158.3     8.6   -1.6     18.4    -7.4    -1.2
01-42      |   Slaughter turkeys...................................| 114.2   126.0   122.8    -3.9   -2.5      -.3     2.4    -8.5
01-6       |   Fluid milk..........................................| 101.7   110.6   115.4    25.0    4.3      4.3     4.5     3.7
01-83-01-31|   Soybeans............................................| 131.9   132.9   139.7    41.0    5.1     -5.6     1.2    11.4
02-52-01-01|   Cane sugar,raw 2/...................................| 118.4   118.4   118.8    -2.1     .3      -.3     -.3      .3
 
           |                                                       |
           |  CRUDE NONFOOD MATERIALS..............................| 106.7   100.3   100.6     7.2     .3     -5.3     1.7      .4
           |                                                       |
01-51-01-01|   Raw cotton..........................................| 143.5   128.8   128.9    -7.7     .1     -1.5     -.3     6.5
01-92-01-01|   Leaf tobacco 2/.....................................|  94.4   103.2    98.5    -3.4   -4.6      (3)     (3)    -4.6
04-11      |   Cattle hides........................................| 175.6   185.5   190.7    -7.9    2.8      6.7      .5     5.1
05-1       |   Coal 2/.............................................|  94.3    93.5    93.6    -1.8     .1      -.9     -.7      .1
05-31      |   Natural gas (to pipelines) 2/.......................|  92.8    84.1    83.1    39.4   -1.2    -12.5     6.6    -1.2
05-61      |   Crude petroleum 2/..................................|  66.0    59.7    61.6    25.5    3.2     -5.3     3.5     3.2
08-5       |   Logs, timber, etc. 2/...............................| 200.2   199.2   202.4    -6.3    1.6     -2.1     -.7     1.6
09-12      |   Wastepaper 2/.......................................| 123.1   132.2   135.8   -65.6    2.7     13.0     2.6     2.7
10-11      |   Iron ore 2/.........................................|  97.7    97.7    97.7     4.5    0        -.4     0       0
10-12      |   Iron and steel scrap 2/.............................| 197.8   191.1   191.1    -9.1    0       -3.2    -1.6     0
10-21      |   Nonferrous metal ores (Dec. 1983=100) 2/............|  95.5    86.3    84.3   -17.4   -2.3     -1.8    -8.3    -2.3
10-23-01   |   Copper base scrap 2/................................| 180.0   160.4   153.9   -24.1   -4.1     -8.9    -4.8    -4.1
10-23-02   |   Aluminum base scrap.................................| 183.8   167.4   168.6   -20.6     .7     -3.4    -6.4      .6
13-21      |   Construction sand, gravel, and crushed stone........| 145.5   145.9   146.0     2.1     .1      -.1      .2      .1
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
1/  The indexes for  April 1996    have been recalculated                            2/  Not seasonally adjusted.
    to incorporate late reports and corrections by respondents.                      3/  Not available.
    All indexes are subject to revision four months after original
    publication.
 Table 3.  Producer Price Indexes for selected commodity groupings
           (1982=100 unless otherwise indicated)
 _______________________________________________________________________________________________
          |                                                |                                   |
          |                                                |         Unadjusted index 1/       |
 Commodity|                                                |___________________________________|
   code   |                    Grouping                    |April 1996 | July 1996 | Aug. 1996 |
 _________|________________________________________________|___________|___________|___________|
          |                                                |           |           |           |
          | Finished Goods (1967=100)......................|   366.6   |   369.1   |   370.1   |
          | All commodities................................|   127.4   |   127.9   |   128.1   |
          |                                                |           |           |           |
          |                                                |           |           |           |
          |            MAJOR COMMODITY GROUPS              |           |           |           |
          |                                                |           |           |           |
          | Farm products and processed foods and feeds....|   127.9   |   133.0   |   133.5   |
 01       |   Farm products................................|   121.7   |   129.4   |   128.3   |
 02       |   Processed foods and feeds....................|   130.9   |   134.7   |   136.1   |
          |                                                |           |           |           |
          | Industrial commodities.........................|   127.3   |   126.9   |   127.0   |
 03       |   Textile products and apparel.................|   122.0   |   122.5   |   122.3   |
 04       |   Hides, skins, leather, and related products..|   148.4   |   149.3   |   150.4   |
 05       |   Fuels and related products and power 2/......|    86.2   |    85.4   |    86.0   |
 06       |   Chemicals and allied products 2/.............|   141.4   |   141.9   |   142.1   |
 07       |   Rubber and plastic products..................|   123.4   |   124.0   |   124.0   |
 08       |   Lumber and wood products.....................|   171.9   |   174.6   |   177.4   |
 09       |   Pulp, paper, and allied products.............|   169.2   |   166.7   |   166.9   |
 10       |   Metals and metal products....................|   132.0   |   130.7   |   130.0   |
 11       |   Machinery and equipment......................|   126.6   |   126.4   |   126.4   |
 12       |   Furniture and household durables.............|   130.0   |   130.5   |   130.6   |
 13       |   Nonmetallic mineral products.................|   130.5   |   131.3   |   131.3   |
 14       |   Transportation equipment.....................|   141.6   |   141.4   |   141.0   |
 15       |   Miscellaneous products.......................|   146.4   |   148.3   |   148.2   |
          |                                                |           |           |           |
          | Industrial commodities less fuels and related  |           |           |           |
          |   products and power...........................|   138.5   |   138.3   |   138.3   |
          |                                                |           |           |           |
          |                                                |           |           |           |
          |             OTHER COMMODITY GROUPINGS          |           |           |           |
          |                                                |           |           |           |
 01-1     | Fruits and melons, fresh and dry vegetables,   |           |           |           |
          |   and tree nuts................................|   125.0   |   116.7   |   111.5   |
 01-2     | Grains.........................................|   166.9   |   184.9   |   170.6   |
 01-3     | Slaughter livestock............................|    89.6   |    97.4   |    99.6   |
 01-4     | Slaughter poultry..............................|   120.9   |   151.3   |   148.6   |
 01-5     | Plant and animal fibers........................|   142.6   |   128.2   |   128.3   |
 01-7     | Chicken eggs...................................|   132.1   |   116.7   |   130.6   |
 01-8     | Hay, hayseeds, and oilseeds....................|   149.2   |   149.9   |   155.9   |
 01-83    | Oilseeds.......................................|   144.8   |   144.7   |   151.9   |
 01-9     | Other farm products............................|   140.7   |   153.9   |   146.8   |
 02-1     | Cereal and bakery products.....................|   160.3   |   159.8   |   160.0   |
 02-2     | Meats, poultry, and fish.......................|   111.2   |   117.4   |   121.2   |
 02-22    | Processed poultry..............................|   114.1   |   122.4   |   123.7   |
 02-5     | Sugar and confectionery........................|   136.8   |   138.0   |   138.0   |
 02-6     | Beverages and beverage materials...............|   134.8   |   134.7   |   135.0   |
 02-63    | Packaged beverage materials....................|   129.2   |   126.4   |   126.3   |
 02-7     | Fats and oils..................................|   131.5   |   132.3   |   133.9   |
 03-81    | Apparel........................................|   124.9   |   125.5   |   125.1   |
 04-4     | Other leather and related products.............|   140.9   |   141.3   |   140.7   |
 05-3     | Gas fuels 2/...................................|    88.5   |    80.4   |    80.7   |
 05-4     | Electric power.................................|   128.1   |   136.3   |   136.6   |
 05-7     | Refined petroleum products.....................|    73.2   |    69.2   |    70.0   |
 06-3     | Drugs and pharmaceuticals......................|   214.1   |   214.8   |   214.1   |
 06-5     | Agricultural chemicals and products............|   136.9   |   131.9   |   130.0   |
 06-7     | Other chemicals and allied products............|   132.2   |   132.6   |   132.6   |
 07-1     | Rubber and rubber products.....................|   116.5   |   116.0   |   116.3   |
 07-11    | Rubber, except natural rubber..................|   121.6   |   121.4   |   121.3   |
 07-13    | Miscellaneous rubber products..................|   136.8   |   136.6   |   136.6   |
 07-2     | Plastic products...............................|   129.9   |   131.0   |   130.9   |
 08-1     | Lumber.........................................|   172.2   |   180.5   |   186.3   |
 09-1     | Pulp, paper, and products, excluding building  |           |           |           |
          |   paper and board..............................|   151.2   |   146.2   |   146.2   |
 09-15    | Converted paper and paperboard products........|   155.4   |   151.3   |   151.0   |
 10-1     | Iron and steel.................................|   125.9   |   125.8   |   126.3   |
 10-2     | Nonferrous metals..............................|   140.5   |   135.4   |   131.8   |
 10-25    | Nonferrous mill shapes.........................|   145.4   |   143.3   |   140.9   |
 11-3     | Metalworking machinery and equipment...........|   142.7   |   143.4   |   143.5   |
 11-4     | General purpose machinery and equipment........|   142.3   |   142.7   |   142.7   |
 11-6     | Special industry machinery.....................|   152.9   |   153.4   |   153.6   |
 11-7     | Electrical machinery and equipment.............|   123.6   |   123.4   |   123.4   |
 11-9     | Miscellaneous machinery and equipment..........|   128.8   |   129.3   |   129.4   |
 12-6     | Other household durable goods..................|   147.7   |   148.4   |   148.6   |
 13-2     | Concrete ingredients...........................|   138.6   |   139.5   |   139.6   |
 14-1     | Motor vehicles and equipment...................|   134.1   |   133.6   |   133.0   |
 15-1     | Toys, sporting goods, small arms, etc..........|   130.3   |   130.3   |   130.7   |
 15-4     | Photographic equipment and supplies............|   119.4   |   119.8   |   118.2   |
 15-9     | Other miscellaneous products...................|   132.6   |   132.4   |   132.9   |
 __________________________________________________________|___________|___________|___________|
 
 1/  Data for April 1996 have been revised to reflect the
     availability of late reports and corrections by
     respondents.  All data are subject to revision 4
     months after original publication.
 
 2/  Prices of some items in this grouping are lagged 1 month.
 
 Table #4    Producer price indexes for the net output of major industry groups, not seasonally adjusted
  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
                    |                                              |     |         Index         |  Percent change
    Industry        |                Industry 1/                   |Index|_______________________|to_Aug._1996_from:__
      code          |                                              |base |       |       |       |        |
                    |                                              |     |Apr.   |July   |Aug.   |  Aug.  |  July
                    |                                              |     |1996 2/|1996 2/|1996 2/|  1995  |  1996
  __________________|______________________________________________|_____|_______|_______|_______|________|___________
                    |                                              |     |
                    |Total mining industries...................... |12/84|  86.0    80.0    80.4    18.9     0.5
         10         | Metal mining................................ |12/84|  96.4    89.2    87.7   -13.3    -1.7
         12         | Coal mining................................. |12/85|  91.1    90.8    90.8    -1.1     0
         13         | Oil and gas extraction...................... |12/85|  86.2    79.2    80.1    29.6     1.1
         14         | Mining and quarrying of non-metallic         |     |
                    |  minerals, except fuels..................... |12/84| 127.1   128.3   126.3     1.7    -1.6
                    |                                              |     |
                    |Total manufacturing industries............... |12/84| 126.8   127.1   127.4     2.4      .2
         20         | Food and kindred products................... |12/84| 124.6   128.2   129.7     6.3     1.2
         21         | Tobacco manufactures........................ |12/84| 195.1   201.4   201.4     3.3     0
         22         | Textile mill products....................... |12/84| 118.1   118.0   118.7     1.5      .6
         23         | Apparel and other finished products made     |     |
                    |  from fabrics and similar materials......... |12/84| 121.5   122.1   121.9     1.1     -.2
         24         | Lumber and wood products, except furniture.. |12/84| 151.0   153.1   154.8      .4     1.1
         25         | Furniture and fixtures...................... |12/84| 135.8   136.2   136.2     1.7     0
         26         | Paper and allied products................... |12/84| 140.5   136.1   135.8   -10.0     -.2
         27         | Printing, publishing, and allied industries. |12/84| 165.1   165.1   165.3     3.2      .1
         28         | Chemicals and allied products............... |12/84| 145.3   145.9   146.2     1.3      .2
         29         | Petroleum refining and related products..... |12/84|  90.5    86.5    87.4    12.8     1.0
         30         | Rubber and miscellaneous plastic products... |12/84| 122.6   123.2   123.3     -.7      .1
         31         | Leather and leather products................ |12/84| 134.1   134.0   134.2     0        .1
         32         | Stone, clay, glass, and concrete products... |12/84| 125.4   126.1   126.2     1.3      .1
         33         | Primary metal industries.................... |12/84| 124.1   123.5   122.9    -4.6     -.5
         34         | Fabricated metal products, except machinery  |     |
                    |  and transportation equipment............... |12/84| 126.0   126.2   126.2      .6     0
         35         | Machinery, except electrical................ |12/84| 119.3   119.0   119.0     -.1     0
         36         | Electrical and electronic machinery,         |     |
                    |  equipment, and supplies.................... |12/84| 113.3   113.1   113.3      .2      .2
         37         | Transportation equipment.................... |12/84| 134.1   133.9   133.6     1.8     -.2
         38         | Measuring and controlling instruments;       |     |
                    |  photographic, medical, optical goods;       |     |
                    |  watches, clocks............................ |12/84| 125.1   125.3   125.2      .8     -.1
         39         | Miscellaneous manufacturing industries...... |12/85| 127.4   127.7   127.9     1.4      .2
                    |                                              |     |
                    |Services industries                           |     |
         42         | Motor freight transportation and warehousing |06/93| 105.9   106.4   106.2     1.3     -.2
         43         | United states postal service................ |06/89| 132.3   132.3   132.3     0       0
         44         | Water transportation........................ |12/92| 103.8   103.0   102.9     -.4     -.1
         45         | Transportation by air....................... |12/92| 120.2   122.1   121.9     5.3     -.2
         46         | Pipe lines, except natural gas.............. |12/86| 103.7   110.8   104.0    -6.1    -6.1
         80         | Health services............................. |12/94| 104.3   104.4   104.6     1.9      .2
                    |                                              |     |
  __________________|______________________________________________|_____|____________________________________________
 01/ Indexes in this table are derived from the net-output-weighted industry price indexes shown in table 5.
     Because of differences in coverage and aggregation methodology, they will generally not match the movements
     of similarly-titled indexes which are derived from traditional commodity groupings shown in table 6.
  2/ The indexes for Apr. 1996 have been recalculated to incorporate late reports and corrections by respondents.
     All indexes are subject to revision four months  after original publication.
  3/ Not available.