FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
     Patrick C. Jackman (202) 606-7000      USDL-97-200
 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. (EDT)
 MEDIA CONTACT:         (202) 606-5902      Tuesday, June 17, 1997
 INTERNET ADDRESS:    http://stats.bls.gov/cpihome.htm
                                     
                      CONSUMER PRICE INDEX:  MAY 1997
 
      The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) declined 0.1
 percent before seasonal adjustment in May to a level of 160.1 (1982-
 84=100), the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor
 reported today.  For the 12-month period ended in May, the CPI-U increased
 2.2 percent.
 
      The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers
 (CPI-W) was unchanged in May, prior to seasonal adjustment.  The May 1997
 CPI-W level of 157.2 was 2.1 percent higher than the index in May 1996.
 
 CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
 
     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U rose 0.1 percent in May, the
 same as in each of the preceding two months.  The food index, which
 declined 0.2 percent in April, advanced 0.4 percent in May.  Grocery store
 food prices rose 0.6 percent, reflecting a sharp turnaround in the index
 for fruits and vegetables.  The energy index declined for the third
 consecutive month, down 2.4 percent in May.    The index for petroleum-
 based energy fell 3.6 percent, and the index for energy services declined
 1.3 percent.  Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U rose 0.2 percent,
 following an increase of 0.3 percent in April.  The smaller advance in May
 reflects  downturns in the indexes for airline fares and tobacco and
 smoking products and a deceleration in the index for apparel and upkeep.

 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          1996             1997           3-mos. ended  ended
                     Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr.  May   May `97   May `97
 All Items            .3    .3   .1   .3   .1   .1   .1     .8       2.2
  Food and beverages  .4    .0  -.2   .3   .0  -.2   .4     .8       3.0
  Housing             .3    .2   .3   .3   .0   .2   .1    1.3       2.6
  Apparel and upkeep  .3    .1   .4   .2  -.3   .9   .1    3.1       1.2
  Transportation      .3    .6  -.2  -.1   .1  -.4  -.8   -4.6        .0
  Medical care        .3    .2   .2   .2   .4   .3   .3    3.8       3.0
  Entertainment       .2    .3   .0   .2   .2   .1   .2    1.7       2.1
  Other goods                                                           
   and services       .4    .1   .4   .5   .5   .8   .2    5.9       4.2
 Special Indexes:                                                       
  Energy             1.2   1.5   .8   .3 -1.7 -1.5 -2.4  -20.5      -2.7
  Food                .4    .0  -.3   .3   .0  -.2   .4     .8       3.0
  All items less                                                        
   food and energy    .2    .2   .1   .2   .2   .3   .2    2.9       2.5
     
     

     For the first five months of 1997, the CPI-U advanced at a 1.4 percent
 seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR).  This compares with an increase of
 3.3 percent in all of 1996.  The food and energy components, which had
 accelerated in 1996 after acting as moderating influences throughout most
 of the preceding five years, were responsible for the slower rate thus far
 in 1997.  The food index rose at a 0.6 percent SAAR thus far in 1997,
 following a 4.3 percent increase in 1996. The energy index, which increased
 8.6 percent in 1996, declined at a 10.6 percent SAAR in the first five
 months of 1997.  The CPI-U excluding food and energy advanced at a 2.6
 percent SAAR in the first five months of 1997, the same rate as the 2.6
 percent rise for all of 1996.
     
     The food and beverage index rose 0.4 percent in May.  The index for
 grocery store food prices, which declined 0.4 percent in April, advanced
 0.6 percent in May, reflecting a sharp upturn  in the index for fruits and
 vegetables--up 1.8 percent in May after declining 3.4 percent in April.
 (Prior to seasonal adjustment, fruit and vegetable prices were, on average,
 unchanged.).  The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs, which turned up
 in April, following declines in the first three months of 1997, rose 0.5
 percent in May.  The index for beef rose 1.1 percent in May after
 increasing 0.6 percent in April.  The 0.2 percent decrease in the index for
 dairy products was the seventh consecutive month that this component failed
 to increase after registering increases totaling 8.5 percent in the
 preceding five-month period.  The indexes for cereal and bakery products
 and for other food at home rose 0.3 and 0.1 percent, respectively.  In the
 latter group, coffee prices continued to surge upwards-up 2.8 percent in
 May and 14.1 percent in the last three months.  Declines in prices for
 prepared foods helped to mitigate this increase.  The other two components
 of the food and beverage index--restaurant meals and alcoholic beverages--
 increased 0.1 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively.

     The housing component  rose 0.1 percent in May.  Shelter costs
 increased 0.3 percent, the same as in April.  In May, within shelter,
 renters' costs rose 0.2 percent; homeowners' costs, 0.3 percent; and
 maintenance and repair costs, 0.5 percent.  The index for fuel and other
 utilities declined for the third consecutive month, down 0.6 percent in
 May.  The index for household fuels fell 1.1 percent, reflecting declines
 in the indexes for natural gas, fuel oil, and electricity--down 2.9, 0.5,
 and 0.4 percent, respectively.   Charges for natural gas have decreased 9.8
 percent in the past three months after increasing 17.3 percent in the
 preceding 11-month period.   The index for household furnishings and
 operation increased 0.4 percent in May; a 1.4 percent rise in the index
 for furniture and bedding was partially offset by declines in prices for
 most other housefurnishings and major appliances.

     The transportation component fell 0.8 percent in May, its fourth
 decline in five months this year.  The index for gasoline declined 4.1
 percent, its largest drop since a 4.6 percent decrease in March 1991.
 (Prior to seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices, which normally increase
 sharply at this time of year with the advent of the driving season, fell
 0.2 percent.)  New vehicle purchase costs also declined in May; the index
 for new vehicle prices fell 0.2 percent, and automobile finance charges
 decreased 2.5 percent.  The May downturn in finance charges followed
 increases in each of the first four months of 1997 totaling 2.2 percent.
 The index for used cars declined 0.9 percent in May.  Public transportation
 costs, which rose substantially in March and April, decelerated in May.
 The index for airline fares, which rose 4.5 and 1.2 percent in the two
 preceding months, reflecting, in part, the reimposition of the 10 percent
 federal tax on airline fares effective March 7, declined 1.3 percent in
 May.

     The index for apparel and upkeep, which increased 0.9 percent in
 April, rose 0.1 percent in May.   (Prior to seasonal adjustment, apparel
 commodity prices fell 0.7 percent in May, largely reflecting  seasonal
 price declines for women's and girls' clothing.)

     Medical care costs rose 0.3 percent in May to a level 3.0 percent
 above a year ago.  The index for medical care commodities--prescription
 drugs, nonprescription drugs, and medical supplies--increased 0.4 percent.
 The index for medical care services rose 0.3 percent.  Charges for
 professional services and hospital and related services increased 0.3 and
 0.2 percent, respectively.
     Entertainment costs, which rose 0.1 percent in April, increased 0.2
 percent in May.  (Prior to seasonal adjustment, this index was unchanged as
 a 0.1 percent decline in entertainment commodities was offset by a 0.1
 percent increase in entertainment services.)

     The index for other goods and services rose 0.2 percent in May,
 following an increase of  0.8 percent in April.  The index for tobacco  and
 smoking products, which rose 2.4 percent in April, declined 0.5 percent in
 May.

 CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W)
 
      On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI for Urban Wage Earners and
 Clerical Workers was unchanged in May.

 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          1996             1997           3-mos. ended  ended
                     Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr.  May   May `97   May `97
 All Items            .3    .3   .1   .2   .1   .0   .0     .3       2.1
  Food and beverages  .4    .1  -.2   .2   .1  -.2   .4    1.0       3.1
  Housing             .3    .2   .3   .2   .1   .1   .1    1.3       2.5
  Apparel and upkeep  .3    .1   .4   .4  -.3  1.0   .2    3.4       1.1
  Transportation      .3    .6   .0   .0  -.1  -.6 -1.0   -6.4       -.4
  Medical care        .3    .2   .2   .2   .3   .3   .3    3.7       3.0
  Entertainment       .3    .3   .0   .1   .1   .1   .1    1.0       2.0
  Other goods                                                           
   and services       .4    .0   .6   .4   .5  1.0   .1    6.4       4.3
 Special Indexes:                                                       
  Energy             1.4   1.5   .9   .3 -1.8 -1.9 -2.4  -21.9      -2.9
  Food                .3    .1  -.3   .3   .1  -.2   .3     .8       3.0
  All items less                                                        
   food and energy    .2    .2   .2   .2   .2   .3   .2    2.9       2.4
 
 
 
 
     After seasonal adjustment, the level of the CPI-U for All Items  was
 160.1 in May; the seasonally adjusted CPI-W for All Items was 157.0.
 
     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 June are scheduled for release on
 Wednesday, July 16, 1997, at 8:30 A.M. (EDT).



 A Note on Seasonally Adjusted and Unadjusted Data
       
            Because price data are used for different purposes by
       different groups, the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes
       seasonally adjusted as well as unadjusted changes each
       month.
       
            For analyzing general price trends in the economy,
       seasonally adjusted changes are usually preferred since they
       eliminate the effect of changes that normally occur at the
       same time and in about the same magnitude every year--such
       as price movements resulting from changing climatic
       conditions, production cycles, model changeovers, holidays,
       and sales.
       
            The unadjusted data are of primary interest to
       consumers concerned about the prices they actually pay.
       Unadjusted data also are used extensively for escalation
       purposes.  Many collective bargaining contract agreements
       and pension plans, for example, tie compensation changes to
       the Consumer Price Index unadjusted for seasonal variation.
       
            Seasonal factors used in computing the seasonally
       adjusted indexes are derived by the X-11-ARIMA Seasonal
       Adjustment Method (1988).  The updated seasonal data at the
       end of 1977 replaced data from 1967 through 1977.
       Subsequent annual updates have replaced 5 years of seasonal
       data, e.g., data from 1992 through 1996 were replaced at the
       end of 1996.  The seasonal movement of all items and 47
       other aggregations is derived by combining the seasonal
       movement of 60 selected components.  Each year the seasonal
       status of every series is reevaluated based upon certain
       statistical criteria.  If any of the 60 components change
       their seasonal adjustment status from seasonally adjusted to
       not seasonally adjusted, not seasonally adjusted data will
       be used for the last 5 years, but the seasonally adjusted
       indexes will be used before that period.
       
            Effective with the calculation of the seasonal factors
       for 1990, the Bureau of Labor Statistics has used an
       enhanced seasonal adjustment procedure called Intervention
       Analysis Seasonal Adjustment for some CPI series.
       Intervention Analysis Seasonal Adjustment allows for better
       estimates of seasonally adjusted data.  Extreme values
       and/or sharp movements which might distort the seasonal
       pattern are estimated and removed from the data prior to
       calculation of seasonal factors.  Beginning with the
       calculation of seasonal factors for 1996, X-12-ARIMA
       software was used for Intervention Analysis Seasonal
       Adjustment.
       
            For the fuel oil and the motor fuels indexes, this
       procedure was used to offset the effects that extreme price
       volatility would otherwise have had on the estimates of
       seasonally adjusted data for those series.  For some women's
       apparel indexes and the girls' apparel index, the procedure
       was used to offset the effects of changes in pricing
       methodology.  For the tobacco and smoking products index,
       this procedure was used to offset the effects of increases
       in excise taxes and wholesale tobacco prices.  For some
       alcoholic beverage series, Intervention Analysis Seasonal
       Adjustment was used to offset the effects of excise tax
       increases.  For the nonalcoholic beverages index, the
       procedure was used to offset the effects of a large increase
       in coffee prices due to adverse weather.  For the water and
       sewerage maintenance index, the procedure was used to
       account for a data collection anomaly.
       
            A description of Intervention Analysis Seasonal
       Adjustment, as well as a list of unusual events modeled and
       seasonal factors for these items, may be obtained by writing
       the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of Consumer Prices
       and Price Indexes, Washington, DC 20212 or by calling Claire
       McAnaw Gallagher on (202) 606-6968.
          
 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     Apr.       May       May 1997 from-      Feb. to    Mar. to    Apr. to
                                                 1996       1997      1997     May 1996  Apr. 1997     Mar.       Apr.       May

             Expenditure category

 All items ..................................   100.000     160.2     160.1        2.2       -0.1        0.1        0.1        0.1
 All items (1967=100) .......................      -        479.7     479.6        -          -          -          -          -

   Food and beverages .......................    17.484     157.1     157.1        3.0         .0         .0        -.2         .4
     Food ...................................    15.913     156.6     156.6        3.0         .0         .0        -.2         .4
       Food at home .........................    10.040     157.5     157.5        3.2         .0        -.2        -.4         .6
         Cereals and bakery products ........     1.479     176.9     176.9        1.9         .0         .3        -.4         .3
         Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .....     3.002     147.7     147.7        4.6         .0        -.9         .4         .5
         Dairy products 1/ ..................     1.245     145.7     145.4        5.7        -.2        -.1        -.3        -.2
         Fruits and vegetables 2/ ...........     1.974     186.4     186.4        1.2         .0         .1       -3.4        1.8
         Other food at home .................     2.340     146.9     147.1        2.9         .1         .1        1.0         .1
           Sugar and sweets .................      .331     147.9     147.9        3.1         .0        -.6        1.1        -.1
           Fats and oils ....................      .246     142.4     142.0        1.4        -.3        -.1         .0        -.1
           Nonalcoholic beverages ...........      .724     131.9     133.4        3.2        1.1        1.3        1.9        1.4
           Other prepared food ..............     1.039     161.1     160.4        3.1        -.4        -.4         .5        -.4
       Food away from home ..................     5.873     156.2     156.3        2.8         .1         .3         .1         .1
     Alcoholic beverages ....................     1.571     162.3     162.8        2.8         .3        -.1         .1         .3

   Housing 2/ ...............................    41.203     155.8     155.9        2.6         .1         .0         .2         .1
     Shelter ................................    28.194     175.3     175.3        3.1         .0         .2         .3         .3
       Renters' costs 3/ 4/..................     7.994     186.3     185.3        3.6        -.5         .3         .3         .2
         Rent, residential ..................     5.731     165.5     165.9        2.9         .2         .3         .2         .4
         Other renters' costs 4/ ............     2.263     228.0     222.9        5.2       -2.2         .3         .4        -.3
       Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/...............    20.000     180.2     180.6        2.8         .2         .2         .3         .3
         Owners' equivalent rent 3/ .........    19.616     180.5     180.9        2.8         .2         .1         .3         .3
         Household insurance 3/ 4/ ..........      .383     163.8     164.5        3.1         .4        -.5         .4         .5
       Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ........      .200     142.5     143.2        3.2         .5         .1         .1         .5
         Maintenance and repair
             services 1/ 4/ .................      .123     148.9     149.9        3.6         .7         .0         .3         .7
         Maintenance and repair
             commodities 1/ 4/ ..............      .077     133.6     134.1        2.4         .4         .3        -.5         .4
     Fuel and other utilities 2/ ............     7.102     128.9     129.0        1.8         .1        -.8        -.2        -.6
       Fuels ................................     3.878     115.3     115.3        1.1         .0       -1.5        -.8       -1.1
         Fuel oil and other household fuel
             commodities ....................      .424     102.1     100.4         .8       -1.7       -3.3       -2.1        -.4
         Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
             services).......................     3.453     121.7     121.9        1.1         .2       -1.3        -.6       -1.3
       Other utilities and public
           services 4/ ......................     3.224     160.8     161.1        2.7         .2         .1         .2         .1
     Household furnishings and operation 2/ .     5.908     125.5     125.8        1.1         .2         .0         .1         .4
       Housefurnishings 4/ ..................     3.332     111.1     111.5         .3         .4        -.3        -.2         .7
       Housekeeping supplies ................     1.093     143.3     143.0        1.4        -.2         .0         .4        -.1
       Housekeeping services 4/ .............     1.482     151.1     151.3        2.7         .1         .5         .4         .1

   Apparel and upkeep .......................     5.330     136.1     135.3        1.2        -.6        -.3         .9         .1
     Apparel commodities 4/ .................     4.786     132.7     131.8        1.1        -.7        -.4        1.1         .2
       Men's and boys' apparel ..............     1.280     131.4     132.0        1.9         .5        -.2        1.8         .2
       Women's and girls' apparel............     2.102     131.9     129.9        1.7       -1.5        -.6         .8         .6
       Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ....      .186     133.7     133.8        2.6         .1        2.0        3.1         .1
       Footwear .............................      .718     129.3     129.1         .6        -.2        -.4        1.2        -.3
       Other apparel commodities 4/..........      .500     148.1     146.0       -3.8       -1.4        -.3        -.7        -.6
     Apparel services 1/ 4/ .................      .545     162.6     162.9        2.2         .2         .1         .1         .2

   Transportation ...........................    17.140     144.8     144.4         .0        -.3         .1        -.4        -.8
     Private transportation .................    15.499     141.3     141.0        -.5        -.2        -.2        -.6        -.9
       New vehicles .........................     4.955     145.2     144.6         .8        -.4         .1         .0        -.2
         New cars ...........................     3.952     142.6     142.1         .6        -.4         .1         .0        -.1
       Used cars ............................     1.278     154.3     153.9       -2.3        -.3        1.2       -1.6        -.9
       Motor fuel ...........................     3.171     106.0     105.7       -7.0        -.3       -2.1       -2.5       -4.0
         Gasoline ...........................      -        105.4     105.2       -7.1        -.2       -2.1       -2.6       -4.1
       Maintenance and repairs ..............     1.533     161.9     162.2        3.0         .2         .2         .2         .2
       Other private transportation 4/.......     4.562     177.3     177.0        2.3        -.2         .3         .2         .0
         Other private transportation
             commodities 4/..................      .589     104.7     104.7        -.2         .0        -.3        -.1         .1
         Other private transportation
             services 4/ ....................     3.973     194.5     194.2        2.7        -.2         .4         .2         .1
     Public transportation ..................     1.642     189.8     188.1        4.4        -.9        2.2        1.2         .2

   Medical care .............................     7.346     233.8     234.2        3.0         .2         .4         .3         .3
     Medical care commodities ...............     1.273     215.2     215.6        2.8         .2         .5         .2         .4
     Medical care services ..................     6.073     238.1     238.5        3.0         .2         .3         .3         .3
       Professional medical services ........     3.472     214.7     215.2        3.6         .2         .5         .3         .3

   Entertainment 4/ .........................     4.352     162.2     162.2        2.1         .0         .2         .1         .2
     Entertainment commodities 4/ ...........     1.957     144.1     143.9         .8        -.1         .0        -.2        -.1
     Entertainment services 4/ ..............     2.395     183.3     183.5        3.3         .1         .3         .3         .3

   Other goods and services 2/ ..............     7.145     222.7     223.1        4.2         .2         .5         .8         .2
     Tobacco and smoking products ...........     1.601     243.2     243.8        4.6         .2         .4        2.4        -.5
     Personal care 1/ .......................     1.145     152.7     152.6        1.5        -.1         .2         .6        -.1
       Toilet goods and personal care
           appliances 1/ ....................      .588     144.5     144.1        -.8        -.3         .2         .6        -.3
       Personal care services 1/ ............      .557     162.0     162.3        4.2         .2         .3         .5         .2
     Personal and educational expenses 4/ ...     4.398     256.0     256.6        4.8         .2         .5         .3         .5
       School books and supplies ............      .264     235.8     235.9        5.0         .0         .3         .5         .6
       Personal and educational services 4/ .     4.134     257.7     258.3        4.7         .2         .5         .3         .5





 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) - Continued

                                               Relative   Unadjusted indexes       Unadjusted             Seasonally adjusted
                                              importance,                       percent change to         percent change from-
                                               December     Apr.       May       May 1997 from-      Feb. to    Mar. to    Apr. to
                                                 1996       1997      1997     May 1996  Apr. 1997     Mar.       Apr.       May

         Commodity and service group

 All items ..................................   100.000     160.2     160.1        2.2        -.1         .1         .1         .1
   Commodities ..............................    42.873     142.3     142.1        1.2        -.1        -.2        -.1        -.1
     Food and beverages .....................    17.484     157.1     157.1        3.0         .0         .0        -.2         .4
     Commodities less food and beverages ....    25.389     133.2     132.9        -.1        -.2        -.3         .0        -.5
       Nondurables less food and beverages ..    15.147     135.8     135.4        -.1        -.3        -.8         .1        -.7
         Apparel commodities 4/ .............     4.786     132.7     131.8        1.1        -.7        -.4        1.1         .2
         Nondurables less food, beverages,
             and apparel ....................    10.362     140.6     140.4        -.7        -.1        -.6        -.4       -1.1
       Durables .............................    10.242     129.6     129.4         .1        -.2         .0        -.2         .0
   Services .................................    57.127     178.3     178.4        3.1         .1         .2         .3         .2
     Rent of shelter 3/ .....................    27.577     182.4     182.4        3.1         .0         .3         .3         .3
     Household services less rent of
         shelter 3/ 4/.......................     8.698     143.7     144.0        2.1         .2        -.3        -.1        -.3
     Transportation services ................     7.148     185.4     184.9        3.1        -.3         .8         .4         .1
     Medical care services ..................     6.073     238.1     238.5        3.0         .2         .3         .3         .3
     Other services .........................     7.631     207.7     208.0        4.1         .1         .4         .3         .4

               Special indexes

 All items less food ........................    84.087     160.8     160.7        2.1        -.1         .1         .2        -.1
 All items less shelter .....................    71.806     155.8     155.7        1.9        -.1         .0         .0         .0
 All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/......    80.000     161.2     161.1        2.1        -.1         .1         .1        -.1
 All items less medical care ................    92.654     156.0     155.9        2.2        -.1         .0         .1         .0
 Commodities less food ......................    26.960     134.4     134.1         .1        -.2        -.2        -.1        -.4
 Nondurables less food ......................    16.718     137.4     137.0         .1        -.3        -.7         .1        -.4
 Nondurables less food and apparel ..........    11.932     141.7     141.7        -.2         .0        -.7        -.4       -1.0
 Nondurables ................................    32.631     146.6     146.4        1.5        -.1        -.4        -.1        -.2
 Services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/ ........    29.550     186.8     186.9        3.0         .1         .3         .3         .1
 Services less medical care services ........    51.054     172.8     172.8        3.0         .0         .3         .2         .1
 Energy .....................................     7.049     110.0     109.9       -2.7        -.1       -1.7       -1.5       -2.4
 All items less energy ......................    92.951     166.8     166.8        2.6         .0         .2         .2         .2
   All items less food and energy ...........    77.038     169.4     169.3        2.5        -.1         .2         .3         .2
     Commodities less food and
         energy commodities .................    23.364     143.5     143.3        1.1        -.1         .1         .3         .1
       Energy commodities ...................     3.596     105.8     105.3       -6.2        -.5       -2.2       -2.4       -3.6
     Services less energy services ..........    53.674     184.1     184.1        3.2         .0         .3         .3         .3
 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar:
   1982-84=$1.00 1/ .........................      -        $.624     $.625       -2.2         .2        -.2        -.2         .2
   1967=$1.00 1/ ............................      -         .208      .209        -          -          -          -          -


    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-
                                                  Feb.    Mar.    Apr.     May    Aug.    Nov.    Feb.     May     Nov.       May
                                                  1997    1997    1997    1997    1996    1996    1997    1997     1996      1997

               Expenditure category

  All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        2.3     3.6     2.5     0.8      3.0       1.6

    Food and beverages .........................   156.8   156.8   156.5   157.1     5.9     5.3      .5      .8      5.6        .6
      Food .....................................   156.5   156.5   156.2   156.8     6.2     5.3      .3      .8      5.7        .5
        Food at home ...........................   157.5   157.2   156.5   157.4     8.4     6.0     -.8     -.3      7.2       -.5
          Cereals and bakery products ..........   176.4   177.0   176.3   176.9     2.1     4.4      .2     1.1      3.3        .7
          Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......   148.4   147.1   147.7   148.5    11.4     7.0      .0      .3      9.2        .1
          Dairy products 1/ ....................   146.2   146.1   145.7   145.4    22.0    13.6    -8.1    -2.2     17.7      -5.2
          Fruits and vegetables 2/..............   187.7   187.8   181.5   184.7     7.7     6.4    -2.1    -6.2      7.0      -4.2
          Other food at home ...................   144.8   145.0   146.5   146.7     1.7     2.5     2.2     5.4      2.1       3.8
            Sugar and sweets ...................   146.9   146.0   147.6   147.4     4.0     2.2     4.8     1.4      3.1       3.1
            Fats and oils ......................   142.1   142.0   142.0   141.8     3.5     2.3      .8     -.8      2.9        .0
            Nonalcoholic beverages .............   127.3   129.0   131.5   133.3     -.6    -4.3     -.6    20.2     -2.5       9.3
            Other prepared food ................   160.6   160.0   160.8   160.1     2.3     7.6     3.8    -1.2      5.0       1.3
        Food away from home ....................   155.6   156.0   156.2   156.3     2.9     4.0     2.6     1.8      3.5       2.2
      Alcoholic beverages ......................   161.8   161.6   161.8   162.3     3.1     3.8     3.0     1.2      3.4       2.1

    Housing 2/ .................................   155.6   155.6   155.9   156.1     2.7     3.2     3.1     1.3      2.9       2.2
      Shelter ..................................   174.0   174.3   174.9   175.4     3.1     2.8     3.3     3.3      3.0       3.3
        Renters' costs 3/ 4/....................   183.4   183.9   184.5   184.8     3.9     3.1     4.3     3.1      3.5       3.7
          Rent, residential ....................   164.6   165.1   165.5   166.1     2.8     2.7     2.5     3.7      2.7       3.1
          Other renters' costs 4/ ..............   223.1   223.7   224.6   224.0     6.7     3.9     8.9     1.6      5.3       5.2
        Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/ ................   179.5   179.8   180.4   180.9     2.8     2.7     2.7     3.2      2.7       2.9
          Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ...........   179.9   180.1   180.7   181.3     2.8     2.7     2.9     3.1      2.7       3.0
          Household insurance 3/ 4/ ............   164.3   163.5   164.2   165.0     4.6     7.1     -.5     1.7      5.8        .6
        Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ..........   142.3   142.4   142.5   143.2     2.6     4.1     3.4     2.6      3.3       3.0
          Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/    148.4   148.4   148.9   149.9     6.8     1.4     2.2     4.1      4.0       3.1
          Maintenance and repair
              commodities 1/ 4/ ................   133.9   134.3   133.6   134.1    -3.9     8.6     4.9      .6      2.2       2.7
      Fuel and other utilities 2/...............   131.6   130.5   130.2   129.4     2.9     5.1     6.3    -6.5      4.0       -.3
        Fuels ..................................   119.4   117.6   116.7   115.4     2.1     7.2     9.6   -12.7      4.6      -2.2
          Fuel oil and other household fuel
              commodities ......................   106.1   102.6   100.4   100.0   -14.5    54.7    -1.1   -21.1     15.0     -11.7
          Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
              services).........................   126.2   124.6   123.9   122.3     4.0     3.0    10.5   -11.8      3.5      -1.3
        Other utilities and public services 4/ .   160.0   160.2   160.6   160.8     3.4     3.3     2.0     2.0      3.3       2.0
      Household furnishings and operation 2/ ...   125.1   125.1   125.2   125.7     1.3     1.0      .3     1.9      1.1       1.1
        Housefurnishings 4/ ....................   111.2   110.9   110.7   111.5      .0      .0      .0     1.1       .0        .5
        Housekeeping supplies ..................   142.5   142.5   143.0   142.9      .9     1.4     2.3     1.1      1.1       1.7
        Housekeeping services 4/ ...............   149.7   150.5   151.1   151.3     3.9     3.3     -.5     4.3      3.6       1.9

    Apparel and upkeep .........................   132.6   132.2   133.4   133.6    -5.3     4.4     2.8     3.1      -.6       2.9
      Apparel commodities 4/ ...................   128.8   128.3   129.7   129.9    -6.1     4.8     2.5     3.5      -.8       3.0
        Men's and boys' apparel ................   128.3   128.0   130.3   130.5     -.6     3.5    -1.5     7.0      1.4       2.7
        Women's and girls' apparel .............   126.6   125.8   126.8   127.5   -10.4     6.7     8.7     2.9     -2.2       5.7
        Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ......   127.2   129.7   133.7   133.8   -15.3     5.2     1.6    22.4     -5.6      11.5
        Footwear ...............................   126.7   126.2   127.7   127.3      .0     1.6     -.9     1.9       .8        .5
        Other apparel commodities 4/............   147.9   147.5   146.5   145.6    -6.5     2.2    -4.2    -6.1     -2.2      -5.1
      Apparel services 1/ 4/ ...................   162.2   162.4   162.6   162.9     2.3     1.5     3.3     1.7      1.9       2.5

    Transportation .............................   145.3   145.4   144.8   143.6    -1.4     4.8     1.4    -4.6      1.7      -1.7
      Private transportation ...................   142.7   142.4   141.6   140.3    -2.0     3.8     3.4    -6.6       .9      -1.7
        New vehicles ...........................   144.4   144.6   144.6   144.3     2.5     1.4     -.6     -.3      2.0       -.4
          New cars .............................   141.9   142.0   142.0   141.8     3.2      .3     -.6     -.3      1.7       -.4
        Used cars ..............................   155.8   157.7   155.1   153.7    -3.3    -1.3      .5    -5.3     -2.3      -2.4
        Motor fuel .............................   111.8   109.5   106.8   102.5   -17.6    13.6    13.1   -29.3     -3.2     -10.6
          Gasoline .............................   111.3   109.0   106.2   101.8   -17.3    12.8    13.6   -30.0     -3.4     -10.8
        Maintenance and repairs ................   161.2   161.5   161.9   162.2     3.1     4.1     2.3     2.5      3.6       2.4
        Other private transportation 4/.........   176.1   176.7   177.0   177.0     4.0     1.4     1.8     2.1      2.7       1.9
          Other private transportation
              commodities 4/....................   105.1   104.8   104.7   104.8      .0      .4      .0    -1.1       .2       -.6
          Other private transportation
              services 4/ ......................   193.1   193.9   194.3   194.4     4.5     1.7     2.1     2.7      3.1       2.4
      Public transportation ....................   181.9   185.9   188.1   188.4     4.5    13.8   -13.3    15.1      9.1       -.1

    Medical care ...............................   232.3   233.2   233.8   234.5     2.8     3.0     2.3     3.8      2.9       3.1
      Medical care commodities .................   213.5   214.5   215.0   215.8     2.5     1.9     2.7     4.4      2.2       3.5
      Medical care services ....................   236.4   237.2   237.9   238.5     3.0     3.1     2.2     3.6      3.0       2.9
        Professional medical services ..........   212.7   213.7   214.4   215.0     3.5     3.9     2.9     4.4      3.7       3.6
    Entertainment 4/ ...........................   161.4   161.7   161.8   162.1     2.3     2.5     2.0     1.7      2.4       1.9
      Entertainment commodities 4/ .............   144.2   144.2   143.9   143.8     2.0     1.7      .6    -1.1      1.8       -.3
      Entertainment services 4/ ................   181.6   182.1   182.7   183.3     2.7     3.4     3.1     3.8      3.1       3.5

    Other goods and services 2/.................   221.3   222.3   224.1   224.5     3.6     3.4     3.9     5.9      3.5       4.9
      Tobacco and smoking products .............   237.6   238.5   244.2   242.9     1.6     5.1     2.7     9.2      3.3       5.9
      Personal care 1/ .........................   151.5   151.8   152.7   152.6      .5     1.9      .8     2.9      1.2       1.9
        Toilet goods and personal care
            appliances 1/ ......................   143.3   143.6   144.5   144.1     -.8     -.8    -3.8     2.3      -.8       -.8
        Personal care services 1/ ..............   160.7   161.2   162.0   162.3     1.8     5.5     5.4     4.0      3.6       4.7
      Personal and educational expenses 4/ .....   255.0   256.3   257.0   258.4     5.1     3.2     5.3     5.4      4.2       5.4
        School books and supplies ..............   233.2   234.0   235.1   236.6     6.0     5.0     3.0     6.0      5.5       4.5
        Personal and educational services 4/ ...   256.5   257.8   258.5   259.9     5.1     3.1     5.5     5.4      4.1       5.4









  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-
                                                  Feb.    Mar.    Apr.     May    Aug.    Nov.    Feb.     May     Nov.       May
                                                  1997    1997    1997    1997    1996    1996    1997    1997     1996      1997

           Commodity and service group

  All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        2.3     3.6     2.5      .8      3.0       1.6
    Commodities ................................   142.1   141.8   141.7   141.5      .3     4.7     1.7    -1.7      2.4        .0
      Food and beverages .......................   156.8   156.8   156.5   157.1     5.9     5.3      .5      .8      5.6        .6
      Commodities less food and beverages ......   133.1   132.7   132.7   132.0    -3.3     4.3     2.1    -3.3       .5       -.6
        Nondurables less food and beverages ....   135.7   134.6   134.8   133.9    -5.8     6.8     4.2    -5.2       .3       -.6
          Apparel commodities 4/ ...............   128.8   128.3   129.7   129.9    -6.1     4.8     2.5     3.5      -.8       3.0
          Nondurables less food, beverages,
              and apparel ......................   142.3   141.4   140.8   139.3    -6.4     6.5     6.1    -8.2      -.1      -1.3
        Durables ...............................   129.6   129.6   129.3   129.3      .6      .6      .0     -.9       .6       -.5
    Services ...................................   177.6   178.0   178.5   178.8     3.3     3.2     3.0     2.7      3.3       2.9
      Rent of shelter 3/ .......................   181.3   181.8   182.3   182.8     3.2     2.7     3.1     3.4      3.0       3.2
      Household services less rent
          of shelter 3/ 4/......................   145.7   145.2   145.0   144.6     3.4     3.4     4.8    -3.0      3.4        .8
      Transportation services ..................   182.7   184.1   184.9   185.0     4.1     4.9    -1.5     5.1      4.5       1.8
      Medical care services ....................   236.4   237.2   237.9   238.5     3.0     3.1     2.2     3.6      3.0       2.9
      Other services ...........................   206.9   207.8   208.4   209.3     3.8     3.4     4.4     4.7      3.6       4.5

                 Special indexes

  All items less food ..........................   160.2   160.3   160.6   160.5     1.5     3.3     2.8      .8      2.4       1.8
  All items less shelter .......................   155.5   155.5   155.5   155.5     1.8     4.0     2.1      .0      2.9       1.0
  All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/........   160.8   160.9   161.0   160.9     2.0     3.8     2.3      .2      2.9       1.3
  All items less medical care ..................   155.5   155.5   155.7   155.7     2.1     3.7     2.6      .5      2.9       1.6
  Commodities less food ........................   134.4   134.1   134.0   133.4    -2.7     4.0     2.4    -2.9       .6       -.3
  Nondurables less food ........................   137.1   136.2   136.3   135.7    -5.2     6.8     3.9    -4.0       .6       -.1
  Nondurables less food and apparel ............   143.1   142.1   141.5   140.1    -2.8     7.1     3.7    -8.1      2.0      -2.4
  Nondurables ..................................   146.5   145.9   145.7   145.4     1.1     5.4     2.8    -3.0      3.2       -.1
  Services less rent of shelter 3/ .............   186.2   186.7   187.2   187.3     3.6     3.8     2.4     2.4      3.7       2.4
  Services less medical care services ..........   172.0   172.5   172.9   173.1     3.4     3.3     2.8     2.6      3.4       2.7
  Energy .......................................   114.9   112.9   111.2   108.5    -7.3    10.3    10.8   -20.5      1.1      -6.2
  All items less energy ........................   165.9   166.2   166.6   167.0     2.7     3.5     1.7     2.7      3.1       2.2
    All items less food and energy .............   168.3   168.7   169.2   169.5     2.2     2.9     2.2     2.9      2.6       2.5
      Commodities less food and energy
          commodities ..........................   142.2   142.3   142.7   142.8     -.3     2.0     1.1     1.7       .9       1.4
        Energy commodities .....................   111.3   108.8   106.2   102.4   -17.4    17.6    11.5   -28.3     -1.5     -10.6
      Services less energy services ............   182.9   183.4   184.0   184.5     3.4     3.1     2.7     3.5      3.3       3.1


     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                                       May 1997 from-          Apr. 1997 from-
                                           schedule    Feb.    Mar.    Apr.     May     May    Mar.    Apr.    Apr.    Feb.    Mar.
                                              1/       1997    1997    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997



 U.S. city average ......................      M        159.6   160.0   160.2   160.1     2.2     0.1    -0.1     2.5     0.4     0.1

         Region and area size 2/

 Northeast urban.........................      M        166.9   167.3   167.1   166.8     2.3     -.3     -.2     2.6      .1     -.1
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        167.7   168.1   167.7   167.5     2.4     -.4     -.1     2.5      .0     -.2
   Size B -  500,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        164.2   164.8   165.4   164.7     2.3     -.1     -.4     3.0      .7      .4
   Size C -  50,000 to 500,000 3/........      M        165.3   165.6   165.6   165.2     2.7     -.2     -.2     2.7      .2      .0

 North Central urban ....................      M        155.9   155.9   156.1   156.3     2.4      .3      .1     2.5      .1      .1
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        156.5   156.6   156.9   157.0     2.5      .3      .1     2.6      .3      .2
   Size B -  360,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        154.4   154.6   154.8   155.4     2.5      .5      .4     2.4      .3      .1
   Size C -  50,000 to 360,000 3/........      M        158.3   158.1   158.2   158.3     2.3      .1      .1     2.8     -.1      .1
   Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
             (less than 50,000) .........      M        152.1   152.1   152.1   152.2     2.0      .1      .1     2.1      .0      .0

 South urban ............................      M        156.1   156.5   156.7   156.6     2.0      .1     -.1     2.3      .4      .1
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        155.2   155.4   155.7   155.5     1.8      .1     -.1     2.2      .3      .2
   Size B -  450,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        158.9   159.7   159.8   159.7     2.4      .0     -.1     2.7      .6      .1
   Size C -  50,000 to 450,000 3/........      M        155.6   155.7   156.0   156.1     1.9      .3      .1     1.9      .3      .2
   Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
             (less than 50,000) .........      M        155.5   156.0   156.1   156.0     2.0      .0     -.1     2.4      .4      .1

 West urban .............................      M        160.1   160.8   161.1   161.1     2.2      .2      .0     2.5      .6      .2
   Size A -  More than 1,250,000 ........      M        160.1   160.9   161.2   161.1     2.2      .1     -.1     2.5      .7      .2
   Size C -  50,000 to 330,000 3/........      M        165.4   166.3   166.5   166.5     2.5      .1      .0     2.7      .7      .1

 Size classes
   A 4/ .................................      M        144.1   144.4   144.5   144.5     2.3      .1      .0     2.4      .3      .1
   B 3/ .................................      M        159.5   160.1   160.4   160.4     2.4      .2      .0     2.8      .6      .2
   C 3/ .................................      M        159.6   159.8   160.0   160.0     2.3      .1      .0     2.4      .3      .1
   D ....................................      M        156.2   156.4   156.5   156.4     1.9      .0     -.1     2.3      .2      .1

           Selected local areas

 Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI......      M        161.1   161.0   160.9   161.1     2.7      .1      .1     2.9     -.1     -.1
 Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ......      M        159.2   159.8   159.9   159.5     1.3     -.2     -.3     1.4      .4      .1
 N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT      M        170.1   170.7   170.2   169.9     2.1     -.5     -.2     2.5      .1     -.3
 Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton,
 PA-NJ-DE-MD 5/ .........................      M        165.8   166.1   166.0   166.0     2.6     -.1      .0     2.4      .1     -.1
 San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA 5/ ..      M        157.9   159.2   159.6   159.8     3.0      .4      .1     3.7     1.1      .3

 Baltimore, MD 6/ .......................      1         -      157.1    -      155.5     1.0    -1.0    -       -       -       -
 Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ...........      1         -      168.1    -      166.7     3.0     -.8    -       -       -       -
 Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH .............      1         -      155.4    -      155.6     2.5      .1    -       -       -       -
 Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ..............      1         -      158.5    -      157.9     3.5     -.4    -       -       -       -
 St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL 7/ .....      1         -      152.2    -      152.1     2.7     -.1    -       -       -       -
 Washington, DC-MD-VA 6/ ................      1         -      161.9    -      162.1     1.9      .1    -       -       -       -

 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX ..................      2        150.7    -      150.6    -       -       -       -        1.4     -.1    -
 Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI ..................      2        155.4    -      156.0    -       -       -       -        2.4      .4    -
 Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .........      2        144.5    -      145.2    -       -       -       -        1.5      .5    -
 Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA 7/ ........      2        156.2    -      156.6    -       -       -       -        2.5      .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     Apr.       May       May 1997 from-      Feb. to    Mar. to    Apr. to
                                                 1996       1997      1997     May 1996  Apr. 1997     Mar.       Apr.       May

             Expenditure category

 All items ..................................   100.000     157.2     157.2        2.1        0.0        0.1        0.0        0.0
 All items (1967=100) .......................      -        468.3     468.3        -          -          -          -          -

   Food and beverages .......................    19.436     156.5     156.6        3.1         .1         .1        -.2         .4
     Food ...................................    17.749     156.1     156.1        3.0         .0         .1        -.2         .3
       Food at home .........................    11.387     156.6     156.6        3.2         .0        -.1        -.3         .5
         Cereals and bakery products ........     1.688     176.6     176.7        2.0         .1         .4        -.4         .4
         Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .....     3.535     147.3     147.4        4.7         .1        -.8         .5         .5
         Dairy products 1/ ..................     1.387     145.4     145.1        5.6        -.2        -.1        -.3        -.2
         Fruits and vegetables 2/ ...........     2.086     185.2     185.4        1.0         .1         .3       -3.3        1.7
         Other food at home .................     2.691     146.4     146.6        2.9         .1         .1        1.0         .2
           Sugar and sweets .................      .373     147.9     147.9        3.1         .0        -.7        1.2        -.1
           Fats and oils ....................      .282     142.1     141.7        1.4        -.3         .1        -.1        -.1
           Nonalcoholic beverages ...........      .841     131.1     132.4        2.8        1.0        1.1        1.8        1.2
           Other prepared food ..............     1.194     161.0     160.3        3.2        -.4        -.5         .7        -.4
       Food away from home ..................     6.362     156.2     156.2        2.8         .0         .3         .0         .0
     Alcoholic beverages ....................     1.687     161.7     162.2        2.9         .3         .1         .0         .4

   Housing 2/ ...............................    38.747     152.4     152.6        2.5         .1         .1         .1         .1
     Shelter ................................    25.867     170.1     170.3        3.0         .1         .2         .3         .3
       Renters' costs 3/ 4/..................     8.079     161.8     161.6        3.3        -.1         .3         .4         .3
         Rent, residential ..................     6.580     165.2     165.6        2.9         .2         .2         .3         .3
         Other renters' costs 4/ ............     1.499     226.9     222.9        5.1       -1.8         .3         .7         .2
       Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/...............    17.599     164.3     164.6        2.8         .2         .2         .2         .2
         Owners' equivalent rent 3/ .........    17.277     164.6     164.9        2.8         .2         .2         .2         .3
         Household insurance 3/ 4/ ..........      .322     148.5     149.1        2.1         .4        -.3         .4         .3
       Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ........      .189     141.0     141.7        3.1         .5         .1         .1         .5
         Maintenance and repair
             services 1/ 4/ .................      .105     150.9     151.9        3.5         .7         .0         .4         .7
         Maintenance and repair
             commodities 1/ 4/ ..............      .084     128.2     128.6        2.5         .3         .3        -.4         .3
     Fuel and other utilities 2/ ............     7.344     128.6     128.7        1.9         .1        -.8        -.4        -.5
       Fuels ................................     3.979     114.7     114.7        1.1         .0       -1.4        -.9       -1.1
         Fuel oil and other household fuel
             commodities ....................      .391     101.7     100.0         .9       -1.7       -3.5       -2.2        -.4
         Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
             services).......................     3.588     121.2     121.5        1.3         .2       -1.2        -.8       -1.2
       Other utilities and public
           services 4/ ......................     3.365     161.5     161.8        2.7         .2         .1         .2         .1
     Household furnishings and operation 2/ .     5.536     124.0     124.3        1.1         .2         .0         .0         .5
       Housefurnishings 4/ ..................     3.261     109.7     110.2         .4         .5        -.1        -.3         .7
       Housekeeping supplies ................     1.129     143.9     143.7        1.7        -.1         .1         .4        -.1
       Housekeeping services 4/ .............     1.145     153.7     153.9        2.5         .1         .3         .5         .1

   Apparel and upkeep .......................     5.348     135.5     134.7        1.1        -.6        -.3        1.0         .2
     Apparel commodities 4/ .................     4.838     132.3     131.5        1.1        -.6        -.3        1.0         .2
       Men's and boys' apparel ..............     1.286     131.1     131.7        1.9         .5        -.2        1.8         .0
       Women's and girls' apparel............     2.053     130.7     129.0        1.5       -1.3        -.4         .4         .6
       Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ....      .240     134.9     134.9        2.6         .0        2.0        3.2         .0
       Footwear .............................      .799     130.3     130.1         .6        -.2        -.5        1.3        -.3
       Other apparel commodities 4/..........      .461     149.3     146.8       -3.1       -1.7        -.9         .4        -.7
     Apparel services 1/ 4/ .................      .510     161.7     161.9        2.0         .1         .1         .1         .1

   Transportation ...........................    19.190     144.2     143.8        -.4        -.3        -.1        -.6       -1.0
     Private transportation .................    17.934     141.8     141.5        -.7        -.2        -.1        -.8       -1.0
       New vehicles .........................     4.893     146.4     145.9        1.0        -.3         .2         .1        -.3
         New cars ...........................     3.533     142.3     141.8         .7        -.4         .2        -.1        -.1
       Used cars ............................     2.320     155.7     155.3       -2.1        -.3        1.3       -1.6        -.9
       Motor fuel ...........................     3.921     105.9     105.7       -6.9        -.2       -2.2       -2.7       -3.8
         Gasoline ...........................      -        105.4     105.2       -7.1        -.2       -2.2       -2.7       -4.1
       Maintenance and repairs ..............     1.616     162.9     163.2        3.0         .2         .4         .2         .2
       Other private transportation 4/.......     5.185     172.8     172.5        2.3        -.2         .3         .2        -.1
         Other private transportation
             commodities 4/..................      .742     103.7     103.8        -.2         .1         .0        -.3         .2
         Other private transportation
             services 4/ ....................     4.442     190.3     189.9        2.6        -.2         .3         .3        -.1
     Public transportation ..................     1.256     186.8     185.2        3.7        -.9        1.7        1.2        -.1

   Medical care .............................     6.251     233.2     233.6        3.0         .2         .3         .3         .3
     Medical care commodities ...............     1.047     212.3     212.9        2.8         .3         .3         .2         .5
     Medical care services ..................     5.204     237.9     238.2        3.0         .1         .4         .3         .3
       Professional medical services ........     2.973     216.0     216.5        3.7         .2         .5         .3         .3

   Entertainment 4/ .........................     4.015     159.7     159.7        2.0         .0         .1         .1         .1
     Entertainment commodities 4/ ...........     2.036     143.0     142.8         .6        -.1         .0        -.4         .0
     Entertainment services 4/ ..............     1.979     183.6     183.8        3.4         .1         .4         .5         .2

   Other goods and services 2/ ..............     7.012     219.8     220.2        4.3         .2         .5        1.0         .1
     Tobacco and smoking products ...........     2.117     242.7     243.4        4.4         .3         .4        2.3        -.5
     Personal care 1/ .......................     1.107     152.6     152.6        1.5         .0         .1         .7         .0
       Toilet goods and personal care
           appliances 1/ ....................      .610     145.4     145.0        -.7        -.3         .1         .8        -.3
       Personal care services 1/ ............      .497     162.1     162.4        4.2         .2         .2         .6         .2
     Personal and educational expenses 4/ ...     3.788     251.8     252.5        5.1         .3         .5         .3         .6
       School books and supplies ............      .232     237.4     237.5        5.3         .0         .3         .6         .7
       Personal and educational services 4/ .     3.556     253.3     254.0        5.1         .3         .5         .3         .6





 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 - Continued

 (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

                                               Relative   Unadjusted indexes       Unadjusted             Seasonally adjusted
                                              importance,                       percent change to         percent change from-
                                               December     Apr.       May       May 1997 from-      Feb. to    Mar. to    Apr. to
                                                 1996       1997      1997     May 1996  Apr. 1997     Mar.       Apr.       May

         Commodity and service group

 All items ..................................   100.000     157.2     157.2        2.1         .0         .1         .0         .0
   Commodities ..............................    47.057     142.2     142.1        1.1        -.1        -.1        -.2        -.2
     Food and beverages .....................    19.436     156.5     156.6        3.1         .1         .1        -.2         .4
     Commodities less food and beverages ....    27.621     133.4     133.2        -.2        -.1        -.3        -.2        -.5
       Nondurables less food and beverages ..    16.215     135.6     135.3        -.3        -.2        -.7         .0        -.7
         Apparel commodities 4/ .............     4.838     132.3     131.5        1.1        -.6        -.3        1.0         .2
         Nondurables less food, beverages,
             and apparel ....................    11.377     140.3     140.2        -.9        -.1        -.8        -.4       -1.3
       Durables .............................    11.407     129.3     129.2         .0        -.1         .0        -.3         .1
   Services .................................    52.943     175.3     175.5        3.0         .1         .2         .2         .2
     Rent of shelter 3/ .....................    25.329     163.7     163.9        3.0         .1         .2         .3         .3
     Household services less rent of
         shelter 3/ 4/.......................     8.553     132.0     132.3        2.1         .2        -.4        -.1        -.3
     Transportation services ................     7.314     182.8     182.4        2.9        -.2         .6         .4        -.1
     Medical care services ..................     5.204     237.9     238.2        3.0         .1         .4         .3         .3
     Other services .........................     6.542     204.6     205.0        4.3         .2         .4         .3         .4

               Special indexes

 All items less food ........................    82.251     157.3     157.3        1.9         .0         .1         .1        -.1
 All items less shelter .....................    74.133     153.8     153.8        1.8         .0         .0        -.1        -.1
 All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/......    82.401     147.6     147.6        1.9         .0         .0         .0        -.1
 All items less medical care ................    93.749     153.6     153.6        2.1         .0         .0         .1        -.1
 Commodities less food ......................    29.308     134.6     134.4         .0        -.1        -.3        -.1        -.5
 Nondurables less food ......................    17.901     137.1     136.9         .0        -.1        -.9        -.1        -.7
 Nondurables less food and apparel ..........    13.064     141.4     141.4        -.4         .0        -.8        -.4       -1.2
 Nondurables ................................    35.651     146.4     146.2        1.5        -.1        -.3        -.1        -.3
 Services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/ ........    27.613     166.4     166.5        3.0         .1         .2         .1         .1
 Services less medical care services ........    47.738     170.0     170.1        3.0         .1         .2         .2         .2
 Energy .....................................     7.901     109.6     109.5       -2.9        -.1       -1.8       -1.9       -2.4
 All items less energy ......................    92.099     163.9     163.9        2.6         .0         .2         .2         .2
   All items less food and energy ...........    74.350     165.9     165.9        2.4         .0         .2         .3         .2
     Commodities less food and
         energy commodities .................    24.996     143.1     142.9        1.1        -.1         .1         .2         .0
       Energy commodities ...................     4.312     105.8     105.5       -6.2        -.3       -2.3       -2.7       -3.5
     Services less energy services ..........    49.354     181.3     181.4        3.1         .1         .3         .3         .2
 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar:
   1982-84=$1.00 1/ .........................      -        $.636     $.636       -2.0         .0        -.2        -.2         .0
   1967=$1.00 1/ ............................      -         .214      .214        -          -          -          -          -


    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-
                                                  Feb.    Mar.    Apr.     May    Aug.    Nov.    Feb.     May     Nov.       May
                                                  1997    1997    1997    1997    1996    1996    1997    1997     1996      1997

               Expenditure category

  All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        1.8     3.9     2.3     0.3      2.9       1.3

    Food and beverages .........................   156.3   156.4   156.1   156.7     5.9     5.3      .3     1.0      5.6        .6
      Food .....................................   155.9   156.0   155.7   156.2     6.2     5.3      .3      .8      5.8        .5
        Food at home ...........................   156.5   156.3   155.8   156.6     7.9     6.4    -1.3      .3      7.1       -.5
          Cereals and bakery products ..........   176.0   176.7   176.0   176.7     2.3     4.2      .0     1.6      3.3        .8
          Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......   147.9   146.7   147.4   148.2    11.8     6.8     -.3      .8      9.2        .3
          Dairy products 1/ ....................   146.0   145.8   145.4   145.1    21.7    14.3    -8.3    -2.4     17.9      -5.4
          Fruits and vegetables 2/..............   186.7   187.2   181.0   184.1     6.7     6.0    -2.7    -5.5      6.4      -4.1
          Other food at home ...................   144.4   144.5   145.9   146.2     2.0     2.3     2.2     5.1      2.1       3.7
            Sugar and sweets ...................   146.9   145.9   147.7   147.5     3.7     2.0     5.3     1.6      2.8       3.5
            Fats and oils ......................   141.6   141.8   141.7   141.6     3.5     2.3      .3      .0      2.9        .1
            Nonalcoholic beverages .............   126.9   128.3   130.6   132.2     -.6    -4.0     -.6    17.8     -2.3       8.2
            Other prepared food ................   160.4   159.6   160.7   160.0     2.6     7.6     3.6    -1.0      5.1       1.3
        Food away from home ....................   155.7   156.2   156.2   156.2     3.2     3.7     2.9     1.3      3.5       2.1
      Alcoholic beverages ......................   160.9   161.0   161.0   161.7     3.1     4.1     2.3     2.0      3.6       2.1

    Housing 2/ .................................   152.2   152.3   152.5   152.7     2.7     3.0     2.9     1.3      2.8       2.1
      Shelter ..................................   169.1   169.5   170.0   170.5     2.9     2.7     3.1     3.4      2.8       3.2
        Renters' costs 3/ 4/....................   160.0   160.4   161.0   161.5     3.6     2.8     3.3     3.8      3.2       3.6
          Rent, residential ....................   164.3   164.7   165.2   165.7     3.0     2.7     2.5     3.5      2.9       3.0
          Other renters' costs 4/ ..............   221.8   222.4   223.9   224.3     6.5     2.4     7.4     4.6      4.5       6.0
        Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/ ................   163.7   164.1   164.5   164.9     2.8     2.5     3.0     3.0      2.6       3.0
          Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ...........   164.0   164.4   164.8   165.3     2.8     2.5     3.0     3.2      2.6       3.1
          Household insurance 3/ 4/ ............   148.9   148.4   149.0   149.4     2.5     6.7    -2.4     1.3      4.6       -.5
        Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ..........   140.7   140.9   141.0   141.7     1.5     5.6     2.3     2.9      3.5       2.6
          Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/    150.3   150.3   150.9   151.9     6.1     2.4     1.1     4.3      4.3       2.7
          Maintenance and repair
              commodities 1/ 4/ ................   128.3   128.7   128.2   128.6    -4.4    10.0     3.8      .9      2.6       2.4
      Fuel and other utilities 2/...............   131.2   130.2   129.7   129.0     3.2     5.4     6.0    -6.5      4.3       -.5
        Fuels ..................................   118.7   117.0   115.9   114.6     2.9     7.2     9.3   -13.1      5.0      -2.6
          Fuel oil and other household fuel
              commodities ......................   106.0   102.3   100.0    99.6   -13.1    54.2     -.8   -22.1     15.8     -12.0
          Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
              services).........................   125.7   124.2   123.2   121.7     4.7     3.3    10.1   -12.1      4.0      -1.6
        Other utilities and public services 4/ .   160.7   160.9   161.3   161.5     3.1     3.8     2.0     2.0      3.5       2.0
      Household furnishings and operation 2/ ...   123.6   123.6   123.6   124.2     1.3      .7      .3     2.0      1.0       1.1
        Housefurnishings 4/ ....................   109.8   109.7   109.4   110.2      .4     -.4      .0     1.5       .0        .7
        Housekeeping supplies ..................   143.1   143.2   143.8   143.7     2.0     1.1     2.3     1.7      1.6       2.0
        Housekeeping services 4/ ...............   152.6   153.0   153.7   153.9     3.8     2.9      .0     3.5      3.4       1.7

    Apparel and upkeep .........................   131.8   131.4   132.7   132.9    -6.0     4.1     3.4     3.4     -1.1       3.4
      Apparel commodities 4/ ...................   128.5   128.1   129.4   129.6    -6.7     4.2     3.5     3.5     -1.4       3.5
        Men's and boys' apparel ................   128.1   127.8   130.1   130.1    -1.2     4.2    -1.2     6.4      1.4       2.5
        Women's and girls' apparel .............   125.9   125.4   125.9   126.7   -11.0     4.7    10.8     2.6     -3.5       6.6
        Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ......   128.1   130.7   134.9   134.9   -13.8     3.2     1.3    23.0     -5.7      11.6
        Footwear ...............................   127.7   127.0   128.6   128.2      .9     1.3    -1.6     1.6      1.1        .0
        Other apparel commodities 4/............   147.7   146.3   146.9   145.8    -9.5     8.1    -5.0    -5.0     -1.1      -5.0
      Apparel services 1/ 4/ ...................   161.3   161.5   161.7   161.9     2.0     1.0     3.3     1.5      1.5       2.4

    Transportation .............................   145.2   145.1   144.2   142.8    -1.9     4.6     2.5    -6.4      1.3      -2.1
      Private transportation ...................   143.2   143.0   141.9   140.5    -2.5     4.0     3.4    -7.3       .7      -2.1
        New vehicles ...........................   145.6   145.9   146.0   145.6     2.5     1.7     -.5      .0      2.1       -.3
          New cars .............................   141.5   141.8   141.7   141.5     3.2      .3     -.6      .0      1.7       -.3
        Used cars ..............................   157.1   159.1   156.5   155.1    -3.0    -1.5     1.0    -5.0     -2.3      -2.0
        Motor fuel .............................   112.0   109.5   106.5   102.5   -17.6    14.9    13.1   -29.9     -2.7     -10.9
          Gasoline .............................   111.4   109.0   106.1   101.8   -17.4    14.1    13.2   -30.3     -2.9     -11.2
        Maintenance and repairs ................   161.9   162.5   162.8   163.2     3.3     4.1     1.5     3.3      3.7       2.4
        Other private transportation 4/.........   171.8   172.3   172.6   172.5     4.1     1.4     1.4     1.6      2.7       1.5
          Other private transportation
              commodities 4/....................   104.0   104.0   103.7   103.9      .4      .0     -.8     -.4       .2       -.6
          Other private transportation
              services 4/ ......................   189.0   189.6   190.1   189.9     4.8     1.5     1.9     1.9      3.2       1.9
      Public transportation ....................   179.9   182.9   185.1   184.9     4.6    13.0   -12.1    11.6      8.7      -1.0

    Medical care ...............................   231.6   232.4   233.0   233.7     2.8     3.0     2.3     3.7      2.9       3.0
      Medical care commodities .................   211.0   211.7   212.1   213.1     2.3     2.1     2.9     4.0      2.2       3.5
      Medical care services ....................   236.0   236.9   237.6   238.2     3.0     3.1     2.1     3.8      3.0       2.9
        Professional medical services ..........   213.9   215.0   215.7   216.3     3.5     4.1     2.9     4.6      3.8       3.7
    Entertainment 4/ ...........................   159.0   159.2   159.3   159.4     2.6     2.3     1.8     1.0      2.4       1.4
      Entertainment commodities 4/ .............   143.1   143.1   142.5   142.5     1.7     1.7      .6    -1.7      1.7       -.6
      Entertainment services 4/ ................   181.6   182.3   183.3   183.6     3.2     3.2     2.7     4.5      3.2       3.6

    Other goods and services 2/.................   217.7   218.7   220.8   221.1     3.1     3.6     4.1     6.4      3.3       5.3
      Tobacco and smoking products .............   237.2   238.2   243.7   242.4      .9     4.9     2.9     9.1      2.9       5.9
      Personal care 1/ .........................   151.4   151.6   152.6   152.6      .3     2.4      .3     3.2      1.3       1.7
        Toilet goods and personal care
            appliances 1/ ......................   144.2   144.3   145.4   145.0    -1.1     -.5    -3.3     2.2      -.8       -.5
        Personal care services 1/ ..............   160.8   161.2   162.1   162.4     1.8     5.7     5.4     4.0      3.8       4.7
      Personal and educational expenses 4/ .....   250.6   251.8   252.6   254.1     5.1     3.5     6.1     5.7      4.3       5.9
        School books and supplies ..............   234.8   235.6   236.9   238.5     6.3     5.7     2.9     6.5      6.0       4.7
        Personal and educational services 4/ ...   252.0   253.3   254.1   255.5     5.0     3.3     6.3     5.7      4.2       6.0









  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 - Continued

  (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

                                                   Seasonally adjusted indexes             Seasonally adjusted annual rate
                                                                                                 percent change for
                                                                                         3 months ended-           6 months ended-
                                                  Feb.    Mar.    Apr.     May    Aug.    Nov.    Feb.     May     Nov.       May
                                                  1997    1997    1997    1997    1996    1996    1997    1997     1996      1997

           Commodity and service group

  All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        1.8     3.9     2.3      .3      2.9       1.3
    Commodities ................................   142.2   142.0   141.7   141.4      .3     4.4     2.0    -2.2      2.3       -.1
      Food and beverages .......................   156.3   156.4   156.1   156.7     5.9     5.3      .3     1.0      5.6        .6
      Commodities less food and beverages ......   133.5   133.1   132.8   132.1    -3.6     4.0     3.1    -4.1       .2       -.6
        Nondurables less food and beverages ....   135.7   134.7   134.7   133.7    -6.1     7.2     4.2    -5.8       .3       -.9
          Apparel commodities 4/ ...............   128.5   128.1   129.4   129.6    -6.7     4.2     3.5     3.5     -1.4       3.5
          Nondurables less food, beverages,
              and apparel ......................   142.4   141.2   140.7   138.9    -7.2     7.5     6.7    -9.5      -.1      -1.7
        Durables ...............................   129.4   129.4   129.0   129.1      .3      .6      .0     -.9       .5       -.5
    Services ...................................   174.7   175.1   175.5   175.8     3.3     3.1     3.0     2.5      3.2       2.8
      Rent of shelter 3/ .......................   162.9   163.2   163.7   164.2     3.0     2.5     3.3     3.2      2.8       3.2
      Household services less rent
          of shelter 3/ 4/......................   134.0   133.4   133.2   132.8     3.1     3.4     5.2    -3.5      3.3        .8
      Transportation services ..................   180.6   181.6   182.4   182.3     4.4     3.8     -.7     3.8      4.1       1.6
      Medical care services ....................   236.0   236.9   237.6   238.2     3.0     3.1     2.1     3.8      3.0       2.9
      Other services ...........................   203.7   204.6   205.3   206.1     4.1     3.2     4.9     4.8      3.7       4.8

                 Special indexes

  All items less food ..........................   156.8   156.9   157.0   156.9     1.0     3.4     2.9      .3      2.2       1.5
  All items less shelter .......................   153.7   153.7   153.6   153.4     1.6     4.3     2.1     -.8      2.9        .7
  All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/........   147.4   147.4   147.4   147.3     1.7     3.9     2.5     -.3      2.8       1.1
  All items less medical care ..................   153.3   153.3   153.4   153.3     2.1     3.8     2.4      .0      3.0       1.2
  Commodities less food ........................   134.8   134.4   134.2   133.5    -3.0     4.0     3.0    -3.8       .4       -.4
  Nondurables less food ........................   137.3   136.1   136.0   135.1    -5.2     7.4     4.5    -6.3       .9      -1.0
  Nondurables less food and apparel ............   143.1   141.9   141.3   139.6    -3.4     7.4     4.6    -9.4      1.9      -2.7
  Nondurables ..................................   146.3   145.8   145.6   145.2     1.1     5.4     2.5    -3.0      3.2       -.3
  Services less rent of shelter 3/ .............   166.2   166.5   166.7   166.8     3.5     4.0     2.9     1.5      3.7       2.2
  Services less medical care services ..........   169.4   169.7   170.1   170.4     3.4     3.2     2.9     2.4      3.3       2.6
  Energy .......................................   114.9   112.8   110.7   108.0    -8.0    11.1    11.2   -21.9      1.1      -6.8
  All items less energy ........................   162.9   163.3   163.6   163.9     2.8     3.3     1.5     2.5      3.0       2.0
    All items less food and energy .............   164.9   165.3   165.8   166.1     2.2     2.5     2.2     2.9      2.4       2.6
      Commodities less food and energy
          commodities ..........................   141.9   142.1   142.4   142.4     -.3     2.0     1.1     1.4       .9       1.3
        Energy commodities .....................   111.7   109.1   106.2   102.5   -17.1    17.5    11.9   -29.1     -1.3     -10.9
      Services less energy services ............   180.3   180.9   181.5   181.9     3.4     3.0     2.5     3.6      3.2       3.0


     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                                       May 1997 from-          Apr. 1997 from-
                                           schedule    Feb.    Mar.    Apr.     May     May    Mar.    Apr.    Apr.    Feb.    Mar.
                                              1/       1997    1997    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997



 U.S. city average ......................      M        156.8   157.0   157.2   157.2     2.1     0.1     0.0     2.3     0.3     0.1

         Region and area size 2/

 Northeast urban.........................      M        164.2   164.5   164.4   164.1     2.2     -.2     -.2     2.6      .1     -.1
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        163.9   164.2   163.9   163.8     2.2     -.2     -.1     2.4      .0     -.2
   Size B -  500,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        161.9   162.6   163.1   162.3     2.1     -.2     -.5     2.9      .7      .3
   Size C -  50,000 to 500,000 3/........      M        166.8   167.0   167.0   166.9     2.6     -.1     -.1     2.5      .1      .0

 North Central urban ....................      M        152.4   152.4   152.6   152.8     2.3      .3      .1     2.4      .1      .1
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        152.3   152.3   152.6   152.7     2.3      .3      .1     2.4      .2      .2
   Size B -  360,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        150.5   150.5   150.8   151.5     2.5      .7      .5     2.4      .2      .2
   Size C -  50,000 to 360,000 3/........      M        155.6   155.3   155.4   155.6     2.3      .2      .1     2.7     -.1      .1
   Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
             (less than 50,000) .........      M        150.3   150.1   150.0   150.2     2.0      .1      .1     2.0     -.2     -.1

 South urban ............................      M        154.5   154.8   155.1   155.1     2.0      .2      .0     2.2      .4      .2
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        153.2   153.4   153.6   153.6     1.7      .1      .0     2.0      .3      .1
   Size B -  450,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        155.0   155.6   155.8   155.7     2.2      .1     -.1     2.6      .5      .1
   Size C -  50,000 to 450,000 3/........      M        155.5   155.5   155.8   156.0     1.9      .3      .1     1.8      .2      .2
   Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
             (less than 50,000) .........      M        155.8   156.1   156.3   156.3     1.8      .1      .0     2.2      .3      .1

 West urban .............................      M        156.8   157.4   157.8   157.8     2.0      .3      .0     2.3      .6      .3
   Size A -  More than 1,250,000 ........      M        155.2   155.9   156.2   156.1     1.9      .1     -.1     2.2      .6      .2
   Size C -  50,000 to 330,000 3/........      M        162.1   163.1   163.3   163.2     2.4      .1     -.1     2.6      .7      .1

 Size classes
   A 4/ .................................      M        143.0   143.2   143.4   143.3     2.1      .1     -.1     2.3      .3      .1
   B 3/ .................................      M        156.5   157.0   157.3   157.3     2.3      .2      .0     2.6      .5      .2
   C 3/ .................................      M        158.7   158.8   159.0   159.1     2.2      .2      .1     2.3      .2      .1
   D ....................................      M        155.4   155.4   155.6   155.6     1.8      .1      .0     2.1      .1      .1

           Selected local areas

 Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI......      M        155.9   155.6   155.3   155.5     2.4     -.1      .1     2.5     -.4     -.2
 Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ......      M        153.6   154.2   154.3   154.0     1.1     -.1     -.2     1.2      .5      .1
 N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT      M        166.2   166.6   166.1   166.0     2.0     -.4     -.1     2.4     -.1     -.3
 Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton,
 PA-NJ-DE-MD 5/ .........................      M        164.9   165.3   165.1   165.2     2.4     -.1      .1     2.4      .1     -.1
 San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA 5/ ..      M        155.0   156.2   156.7   156.8     2.5      .4      .1     3.2     1.1      .3

 Baltimore, MD 6/ .......................      1         -      155.9    -      154.3     1.0    -1.0    -       -       -       -
 Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ...........      1         -      166.8    -      165.6     3.0     -.7    -       -       -       -
 Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH .............      1         -      147.5    -      147.8     2.6      .2    -       -       -       -
 Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ..............      1         -      156.2    -      155.6     3.0     -.4    -       -       -       -
 St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL 7/ .....      1         -      151.1    -      151.2     2.6      .1    -       -       -       -
 Washington, DC-MD-VA 6/ ................      1         -      159.1    -      159.7     1.9      .4    -       -       -       -

 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX ..................      2        150.8    -      150.4    -       -       -       -        1.2     -.3    -
 Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI ..................      2        150.3    -      151.0    -       -       -       -        2.3      .5    -
 Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .........      2        143.6    -      144.1    -       -       -       -        1.3      .3    -
 Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA 7/ ........      2        149.6    -      150.1    -       -       -       -        2.5      .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.