FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
     Patrick C. Jackman (202) 606-7000      USDL-98-09
 CPI QUICKLINE:         (202) 606-6994      TRANSMISSION OF MATERIAL IN
 FOR CURRENT AND HISTORICAL                 THIS RELEASE IS EMBARGOED
     INFORMATION:       (202) 606-7828      UNTIL 8:30 A.M. (EST)
 MEDIA CONTACT:         (202) 606-5902      Tuesday, January 13, 1998
 INTERNET ADDRESS:   
     http://stats.bls.gov/cpihome.htm
                                   
                 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX:  DECEMBER 1997
 
     The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) declined
 0.1 percent before seasonal adjustment in December to a level of 161.3
 (1982-84=100), the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department
 of Labor reported today.  For the 12-month period ended in December,
 the CPI-U has increased 1.7 percent.
 
      The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical
 Workers (CPI-W) declined 0.2 percent in December, prior to seasonal
 adjustment.  The December 1997 CPI-W level of 158.2 was 1.5 percent
 higher than the index in December 1996.
 
 CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
     
     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U rose 0.1 percent in
 December, the same as in November.  The food index decreased 0.1
 percent in December.  Grocery store food prices dropped 0.3 percent in
 December, reflecting declines in the indexes for fruits and vegetables
 and for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs.  The energy index, which
 declined 0.2 percent in November, fell 1.6 percent in December.  The
 index for petroleum-based energy declined 0.9 percent, and the index
 for energy services dropped 2.4 percent.  Excluding food and energy,
 the CPI-U rose 0.2 percent after advancing 0.1 percent in November.
 Larger increases in the costs for shelter, for medical care, and for
 tobacco, coupled with an upturn in the index for entertainment and a
 smaller decline in airline fares, accounted for the larger advance in
 December.

 Table A.  Percent changes in CPI for Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
                                   Seasonally adjusted                Un-
                                                         Compound  Adjusted
     Expenditure        Changes from preceding month   annual rate  12-mos.
      Category                      1997               3-mos. ended  ended
                     June July Aug. Sept.Oct. Nov. Dec.   Dec.'97   Dec.'97
 All Items            .1    .2   .2   .2   .2   .1   .1    1.5       1.7
  Food and beverages  .2    .3   .4   .1   .2   .1   .0    1.3       1.6
  Housing             .3    .2   .1   .3   .3   .3   .1    2.8       2.4
  Apparel and upkeep -.2    .2 -1.0   .3   .1   .2   .1    1.2       1.0
  Transportation     -.3    .1   .6   .4   .1  -.7  -.2   -3.3      -1.4
  Medical care        .2    .0   .2   .2   .1   .3   .5    3.6       2.8
  Entertainment       .5    .1   .2  -.2   .2  -.2   .3    1.0       1.4
  Other goods                                                           
   and services       .2    .3   .6   .3   .7   .3   .4    5.9       5.2
 Special Indexes:                                                       
  Energy              .0   -.1  1.7  1.3   .1  -.2 -1.6   -6.6      -3.4
  Food                .2    .3   .4   .1   .2   .2  -.1    1.3       1.5
  All items less                                                        
   food and energy    .1    .2   .1   .2   .2   .1   .2    2.4       2.2
     
      Beginning with release of the CPI for January 1998 on February
 24, 1998, the BLS will introduce a new geographic area sample, a
 revised item structure, and updated expenditure weights into the CPI.
 See page 5 for further details.
      
      For the 12-month period ended in December 1997, the CPI-U rose
 1.7 percent.  This compares with an advance of 3.3 percent in 1996 and
 was the smallest annual increase since a 1.1 percent rise in 1986.
 The food and energy components, which had accelerated in 1996 after
 acting as moderating influences throughout most of the preceding five
 years, were largely responsible for the deceleration in 1997.  The
 food index rose 1.5 percent in 1997, following a 4.3 percent increase
 in 1996.  Grocery store food prices rose 1.0 percent after advancing
 4.9 percent in 1996.  All major grocery store groups showed marked
 deceleration in 1997, relative to 1996, except for the other food at
 home group, which rose 2.9 percent after increasing 2.2 percent in
 1996.  The larger advance in this group was due to the sharp
 acceleration in coffee prices, which increased 16.9 percent in 1997
 after declining 6.7 percent in the previous year. The energy index,
 which increased 8.6 percent in 1996, declined 3.4 percent in 1997.
 Petroleum-based energy costs fell 6.9 percent, following a 13.8
 percent increase in 1996, while charges for energy services increased
 0.2 percent after rising 3.8 percent in 1996.
 
      The CPI-U excluding food and energy advanced 2.2 percent in 1997,
 following an increase of 2.6 percent in 1996.  The 1997 advance
 represents the smallest annual increase in this index since a 1.5
 percent rise in 1965. The deceleration in 1997, while widespread, was
 particularly notable within the transportation (other than for motor
 fuel) component, specifically, for airline fares and for new vehicles.
 The rates for selected groups during the past nine years are shown
 below.
      
 
                                                                                                                                     
                           Percent change 12 months                
                              ended in December                    
                                                                   
                 1989  1990  1991  1992  1993  1994  1995  1996   1997
                                                                 
 All Items        4.6   6.1   3.1  2.9    2.7   2.7   2.5  3.3    1.7
  Food and       
   beverages      5.5   5.3   2.5  1.6    2.7   2.7   2.1  4.2    1.6
  Housing         3.9   4.5   3.4  2.6    2.7   2.2   3.0  2.9    2.4
  Apparel and     
   upkeep         1.0   5.1   3.4  1.4     .9  -1.6    .1  -.2    1.0                                
  Transport.      4.0  10.4  -1.5  3.0    2.4   3.8   1.5  4.4   -1.4  
  Medical care    8.5   9.6   7.9  6.6    5.4   4.9   3.9  3.0    2.8
  Entertainment   5.1   4.3   3.9  2.8    2.8   2.3   3.3  2.9    1.4
  Other goods                                                    
   & services     8.2   7.6   8.0  6.5    2.7   4.2   4.3  3.6    5.2
    
                                                                 
 Special                                                          
 Indexes
  Energy          5.1  18.1  -7.4  2.0   -1.4   2.2  -1.3  8.6   -3.4
  Food            5.6   5.3   1.9  1.5    2.9   2.9   2.1  4.3    1.5
  All items                                                      
   less food           
    and energy    4.4   5.2   4.4  3.3    3.2   2.6   3.0  2.6    2.2                                      

      
      
      The food and beverage index was unchanged in December.  The index
 for grocery store food prices, which increased 0.1 percent in
 November, fell 0.3 percent in December.  Declines of 1.0 and 0.7
 percent, respectively, in the indexes for fruits and vegetables and
 for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs were responsible for the downturn.
 Within the latter category, prices for beef, pork, and poultry prices
 each declined in December and over the past 12 months have fallen 0.7,
 1.5, and 1.6 percent, respectively.  Recent increases in the index for
 dairy products--up 0.5 percent in December and 3.0 percent in the
 fourth quarter--have not offset declines earlier this year, resulting
 in a 0.5 percent drop in the 12 months ended in December.  The indexes
 for cereal and bakery products and for other food at home rose 0.2 and
 0.1 percent, respectively, in December.  During the 12-month period
 ended in December, these categories have risen 1.5 and 2.9 percent,
 respectively.  The other two components of the food and beverage index-
 -restaurant meals and alcoholic beverages--each rose 0.4 percent in
 December.  During the last 12 months, these groups rose 2.6 and 2.2
 percent, respectively.
 
      The housing component rose 0.1 percent in December, following
 increases of 0.3 percent in each of the three preceding months.  A
 sharp downturn in the index for fuel and other utilities--down 1.1
 percent in December after increasing 0.9 percent in November--
 accounted for the deceleration.  In December, the index for household
 fuels fell 2.3 percent, reflecting decreases of 2.7 percent in the
 index for natural gas and 2.2 percent in the index for electricity;
 the index for fuel oil rose 0.1 percent.  During the 12 months ended
 in December, charges for natural gas rose 3.3 percent, while the
 indexes for electricity and fuel oil declined 1.3 and 11.7 percent,
 respectively.  The index for other utilities and public services rose
 0.1 percent in December.  The index for telephone services declined
 slightly in December, but has risen 0.2 percent since December 1996.
 Shelter costs rose 0.4 percent in December.  Within shelter, renters'
 costs rose 0.7 percent; homeowners' costs, 0.3 percent; and
 maintenance and repair costs, 0.5 percent.  The increase in renters'
 costs reflects a 1.8 percent rise in the index for lodging while out
 of town; residential rents rose 0.3 percent.  Shelter costs advanced
 3.4 percent in the 12 months ended in December 1997, following a 2.9
 percent rise in 1996.  The index for household furnishings and
 operation was unchanged in December and was 0.1 percent higher than
 its level in December 1996.
      
      The transportation index, which declined 0.7 percent in November,
 fell 0.2 percent in December.  The indexes for motor fuels and new
 vehicles declined for the third consecutive month and public
 transportation costs decreased for the second month in a row.  The
 index for gasoline, which fell 2.3 percent in November, declined 1.0
 percent in December.  New vehicle purchase costs declined again in
 December; the index for new vehicle prices decreased 0.2 percent and
 automobile finance charges dropped 0.5 percent.  (Prior to seasonal
 adjustment, new vehicle prices increased 0.1 percent.  As of December,
 about 60 percent of the new vehicle sample was represented by 1998
 models.  The 1998 models will continue to be phased in over the next
 several months as they replace old models at dealerships.)  The index
 for used cars increased 0.3 percent.  Public transportation costs
 declined 0.9 percent in December.  The index for airline fares, which
 declined 3.9 percent in November, dropped 1.4 percent in December.
 During the 12 months ended in December, prices for gasoline,  new
 vehicles, used cars, airline fares, and automobile finance charges
 each declined, with the decreases ranging from 0.9 percent for new
 vehicles to 6.1 percent for gasoline.
 
      The index for apparel and upkeep increased for the fourth
 consecutive month--up 0.1 percent in December--to a level 1.0 percent
 higher than in December 1996. (Prior to seasonal adjustment, apparel
 commodity prices fell 2.6 percent in December, reflecting pre-holiday
 discounting.)
      
      The medical care index rose 0.5 percent in December.  Each year
 (December-to-December) these costs have decelerated since registering
 a 9.6 percent advance in 1990, and the 2.8 percent rise in 1997
 represents the smallest annual increase since a 2.8 percent rise in
 1965.  In December, the index for medical care commodities--
 prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and medical supplies--rose
 0.6 percent.  The index for medical care services rose 0.5 percent.
 Charges for professional services and for hospital and related
 services increased 0.4 and 0.6 percent, respectively, in December and
 3.1 and 3.2 percent, respectively, in 1997.
 
      Entertainment costs rose 0.3 percent in December to a level 1.4
 percent above a year ago.  In 1997, charges for entertainment services
 increased 2.5 percent, while prices for entertainment commodities--
 reading materials, sporting goods, and toys and hobbies--decreased 0.1
 percent.
 
      The index for other goods and services rose 0.4 percent in
 December, following an increase of 0.3 percent in November.  A larger
 increase in the index for tobacco and smoking products-up 0.7 percent
 after increasing 0.1 percent in November-accounted for the larger
 December rise.  During the last 12 months this index rose 5.2 percent,
 reflecting increases of 7.2 percent for tobacco and smoking products
 and 5.2 percent for tuition and other school fees.

 CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W)
 
      On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI for Urban Wage Earners
 and Clerical Workers rose 0.1 percent in December.

 Table B.  Percent changes in CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical
 Workers (CPI-W)
                                 Seasonally adjusted                 Un-
                                                        Compound   adjust
                                                                     ed
    Expenditure        Changes from preceding month      annual      12-
                                                          rate      mos.
      Category                     1997                  3-mos.     ended
                                                          ended
                    June Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec.   Dec. `97  Dec. `97
                                                             
 All Items           .1    .2   .2   .3   .2   .1   .1    1.3       1.5
  Food and           
   beverages         .2    .3   .4   .1   .2   .1   .0    1.3       1.5
  Housing            .3    .2   .0   .3   .2   .4   .0    2.4       2.3
  Apparel and      
   upkeep           -.3    .2 -1.0   .2   .1   .1  -.1     .3        .8    
  Transportation    -.4    .1   .7   .4  -.1  -.7  -.1   -3.3      -1.7
  Medical care       .2    .1   .2   .2   .2   .3   .5    3.8       2.8
  Entertainment      .5    .1   .4  -.2   .1  -.2   .2     .2       1.3
  Other goods                                                          
   and services      .0    .3   .5   .5   .8   .4   .4    6.4       5.4
 Special Indexes:                                                      
  Energy             .0   -.2  2.0  1.2   .1  -.3 -1.7   -7.3      -3.8
  Food               .3    .3   .3   .1   .2   .1  -.1    1.0       1.5
  All items less                                                       
   food and energy   .1    .2   .0   .2   .2   .1   .3    2.4       2.1

 After seasonal adjustment, the level of the CPI-U for All Items was
 161.9 in December; the seasonally adjusted CPI-W for All Items was
 158.7.
 
     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 January are scheduled for release
 on Tuesday, February 24, 1998, at 8:30 A.M. (EST).
       
 
 --------------------------------------------------------------------
      

       Planned CPI Publication Changes
       
       Beginning in 1998, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
       will introduce a new geographic area sample, a revised
       item structure and updated expenditure weights into the
       Consumer Price Index (CPI).  Approximately every ten
       years the CPI undertakes this type of revision in order
       to keep the index up-to-date.  Since World War II,
       revisions of the CPI have been introduced in 1953, 1964,
       1978, and 1987.
       
       Because the changes the CPI undergoes during each
       revision can have a major impact on our users, special
       steps are taken in order to ameliorate the effects of
       these changes.  Beginning with the release of the
       January, 1997 index, data series that are changing or
       being dropped from publication have been footnoted in
       all BLS published tables.  This provided an early
       warning to users to reconsider their use of those
       indexes and provided time for them to make changes in
       their use.  The 1998 CPI Revision contains substantial
       changes in both the items being presented and the
       frequency of local area index publication.
       
       Changes to the Item Structure
       
       Effective in 1998, there will be considerable changes to
       both the items being priced and the manner in which they
       are being aggregated in the CPI.  The most notable
       change in presentation is a reconstruction of several
       major groups with a resulting change from the currently
       available seven major groups to the new total of eight.
       
       Currently the major groups are: Food and Beverages,
       Housing, Apparel and Upkeep, Transportation, Medical
       Care, Entertainment and Other Goods and Services.  Three
       of these groups-- Food and Beverages, Transportation,
       and Medical care will remain the same.  The Apparel
       group was modified to exclude apparel upkeep products
       and services.  The Entertainment group has been slightly
       redefined into a major group called Recreation and a new
       major group, Education and Communication, has been
       formed from  past subelements of the Housing,
       Entertainment and Other Goods and Services groups
       
       Other important changes in our item structure at lower
       levels are an expansion of our Food Away from Home
       index, a reorientation of our car and truck indexes to a
       vehicle index, and the expansion of our information
       processing equipment index.
       
       For a complete listing of the new CPI Publication
       Structure see Table X.
       
       Changes to the Geographic Structure
       
       In each revision, the CPI geographic sample is selected
       to be representative of the current demographics of the
       United States. The 1998 revision utilizes the 1990
       Census of population.  The CPI develops an updated area
       sample design, decides on new local area indexes and
       changes the frequency of publication for local area
       indexes in order to better reflect these new
       demographics.
       
       In addition to the national index, the BLS currently
       publishes indexes for 29 metropolitan areas.  In 1998,
       it will continue to publish indexes for all but two of
       these areas--Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY, and New Orleans,
       LA.  Due to the revised Metropolitan Area (MA)
       definitions issued by the Office of Management and
       Budget(OMB), two other areas, Washington, DC, and
       Baltimore, MD, which the BLS currently publishes
       separately, constitute a new Consolidated Metropolitan
       Statistical Area.  A single index will be published for
       this consolidated area.
       
       The new publication plan for local area indexes, to
       begin with the index for January 1998, is summarized
       below:
       
            *  Monthly indexes will be published for the three
       largest metropolitan areas.  Because of sample design
       considerations, indexes for the Philadelphia and San
       Francisco areas, both currently published monthly, will
       be published every other month following the release of
       the December, 1997 index.
       
            *  Bimonthly indexes will be published for the next
       11 largest areas, including Atlanta and Seattle, which
       currently have semiannual average indexes.
       
            *  Semiannual average indexes will be published for
       12 additional areas, including Pittsburgh and St. Louis,
       which currently have bimonthly indexes.
       
            *  The BLS will continue to publish separate
       indexes for the four Census regions of the United
       States.  However, beginning in 1998, there will only be
       two area size classes for metropolitan areas, instead of
       the current three: Size A - areas with a population
       greater than 1.5 million; and Size B/C - areas with less
       than 1.5 million population.  This cutoff of 1.5 million
       in population reflects a rise from the current cutoff of
       1.2 million and is important since cities in size class
       A are those for which the Bureau publishes city level
       indexes.  The B/C size class is a combination of the old
       Size B and Size C metropolitan areas.  In addition to
       the two metropolitan area size indexes for each region,
       separate Size D indexes for urban non-metropolitan areas
       will continue to be published for both the Midwest and
       the South.  Separate indexes for Northeast and West
       urban nonmetropolitan areas were discontinued in 1987.
       
       The following is the full list of areas for which
       indexes will be published, beginning in January, 1998:
       
 1. Metropolitan Areas for which a local index will be published monthly:
 
  New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT-PA
  Chicago-Gary-Kenosha, IL-IN-WI
  Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, CA
 
 2. Metropolitan Areas for which a local index will be published bimonthly:
 
 In Odd Months (i.e. January,            In Even Months (i.e.
 March, etc.)                            February, April, etc.)
 ----------------------------            ----------------------                  

 Boston-Brockton-Nashua, MA-NH-          Philadelphia-Wilmington-
 ME-CT                                   Atlantic City, PA-NJ-DE-MD
 
 Washington-Baltimore, DC-MD-            San Francisco-Oakland-San
 VA-WV                                   Jose, CA
 
 Cleveland-Akron, OH                     Houston-Galveston-Brazoria,
                                         TX
 Atlanta, GA                             Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, MI
 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX                   Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL
                                         Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, WA
                              
 3. Metropolitan Areas for which a local index will be published  
    semiannually (In January and July)
 
 Pittsburgh, PA                          Cincinnati-Hamilton, OH-KY-IN 
 Kansas City, MO-KS                      Milwaukee-Racine, WI
 Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI             St. Louis, MO-IL
 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL     Anchorage, AK
 Denver-Boulder-Greeley, CO              Honolulu, HI
 Portland-Salem, OR-WA                   San Diego, CA
 
       
 ---------------------------------------------------------------------       
         
              
       BLS to Maintain Current Reference Base of 1982-84=100
       for most CPI index series
       
       The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) previously
       indicated its intention to change the numerical
       reference base for both the Consumer Price Index for All
       Urban Consumers (CPI-U) and the Consumer Price Index for
       Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from
       their present 1982-84=100 base to a 1993-95=100 base,
       effective with release of the January 1999 index in
       February 1999.  BLS also indicated that the alternate,
       or 1967=100 base, would be discontinued in 1999 as well.
       This plan was initially described in the December 1996
       Monthly Labor Review, a publication which contained
       several articles that dealt with the 1998 CPI Revision.
       
       The BLS has now decided not to implement this rebasing
       plan.  Instead, the BLS will maintain the reference base
       of 1982-84=100 used for most items.  In addition, the
       1967=100 reference base will continue to be the
       alternate base for the All Items indexes.  This decision
       is based in part on the fact that historical data have
       less precision after rebasing.  Rebasing is simply an
       arithmetic transformation that does not substantively
       impact the index.  Because the rebased index values are
       smaller, however, the loss of precision due to rounding
       is more serious.  In addition, retaining the old index
       reference bases would spare users the inconvenience
       associated with conversion.
       
       Changes in the numerical reference base should not be
       confused with the plans by BLS to update the market
       basket of the CPI.  With release of the January CPI in
       February 1998, the expenditure weights applied to CPI
       categories will be based on consumer spending patterns
       for 1993-95.
       
       If you have any questions about our plans to maintain
       the current CPI reference base of 1982-84=100, please
       contact Patrick Jackman at area code 202-606-6952.
   
    
       ------------------------------------------------------        
       
       
       Using a hedonic model to adjust prices of personal
       computers in the Consumer Price Index for changes in
       quality
           
       Effective with the release of data for January 1998,
       the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will introduce an
       improved quality adjustment technique in the new stratum
       of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) called Personal
       Computers and Peripheral Equipment.
           
       Currently, personal computers are part of the
       Information Processing Equipment stratum.  As previously
       announced, beginning with the CPI for January 1998,
       Information Processing Equipment
       will become an expenditure class entitled Information
       and Information Processing Other Than Telephone
       Services.  Personal Computers and Peripheral Equipment
       will be one of four strata in that expenditure class.
           
       Analysts in the Producer Price Index (PPI) program
       have developed and implemented a regression procedure,
       called a hedonic model, that decomposes the price of
       personal computers into implicit prices for each
       important feature and component of the computer.  This
       model, which has been used in the PPI since 1991,
       provides a way to estimate the value of changes or
       improvements.  The CPI has used similar hedonic methods
       to adjust apparel prices for many years.
           
       Starting with the CPI for January 1998, when a
       personal computer or selected item of peripheral
       equipment, such as a modem, in the CPI sample improves
       in some way, a regression-based quality adjustment will
       be made.  The value of the improvement, as derived from
       the PPI regression estimates, will be deducted from the
       observed price change for the product.  (Conversely, if
       a model deteriorates, the value of the difference will
       be added to the price.)
           
       Additional information on these changes will be
       published in the June 1997 CPI Detailed Report and is
       available on the Internet (at
       http://stats.bls.gov/cpihome.htm).  This information can
       also be obtained by writing to Bureau of Labor
       Statistics, Division of Consumer Prices and Price
       Indexes, Room 3260, 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20212
       or by telephoning  Joseph Chelena at (202) 606-6982 ext.
       255.
       
       
       -----------------------------------------------------------------


       Calculated Seasonally Adjusted Indexes to be Available
       on February 20, 1998
       
       Each year with the release of the January CPI, seasonal
       adjustment factors are recalculated to reflect price
       movements from the just-completed calendar year.  This
       routine annual recalculation may result in revisions to
       seasonally adjusted indexes for the previous 5 years.
       BLS will make available recalculated seasonally adjusted
       indexes, as well as recalculated seasonal adjustment
       factors, for the period January 1993 through December
       1997, on Friday, February 20, 1998.  This date is two
       working days before the scheduled release of the January
       1998 CPI on Tuesday, February 24, 1998.
       
       The revised indexes and seasonal factors will be
       available on the internet using the BLS FTP server.  The
       address is ftp://146.142.4.23.  Select pub, then select
       special requests, then select cpi.  The revised seasonal
       data will be in the file revseas.cpi.
       
       For further information please contact Claire Gallagher
       or Richard Kerr 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     Nov.      Dec.       Dec. 1997 from-     Sept. to   Oct. to    Nov. to
                                                 1996       1997      1997    Dec. 1996  Nov. 1997     Oct.       Nov.       Dec.
 
             Expenditure category
 
 All items ..................................   100.000     161.5     161.3        1.7       -0.1        0.2        0.1        0.1
 All items (1967=100) .......................      -        483.9     483.2        -          -          -          -          -
 
   Food and beverages .......................    17.484     158.9     159.1        1.6         .1         .2         .1         .0
     Food ...................................    15.913     158.5     158.7        1.5         .1         .2         .2        -.1
       Food at home .........................    10.040     159.1     159.2        1.0         .1         .2         .1        -.3
         Cereals and bakery products ........     1.479     178.0     178.4        1.5         .2         .2         .1         .2
         Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .....     3.002     149.3     148.4       -1.1        -.6        -.3         .1        -.7
         Dairy products 1/ ..................     1.245     147.0     147.8        -.5         .5        1.5         .9         .5
+                       _
         Fruits and vegetables 2/ ...........     1.974     189.5     191.3        2.2         .9         .3         .4       -1.0
+                              _
         Other food at home .................     2.340     147.7     147.7        2.9         .0        -.1        -.3         .1
           Sugar and sweets .................      .331     147.4     147.9        2.2         .3        -.3         .4         .5
           Fats and oils ....................      .246     140.4     140.3        -.3        -.1        -.6        -.2         .1
           Nonalcoholic beverages ...........      .724     134.7     133.1        4.9       -1.2        -.2       -1.2        -.8
           Other prepared food ..............     1.039     161.5     162.8        2.5         .8         .1         .0         .7
       Food away from home ..................     5.873     158.6     159.0        2.6         .3         .1         .3         .4
     Alcoholic beverages ....................     1.571     163.7     164.0        2.2         .2         .1         .1         .4
 
   Housing 2/ ...............................    41.203     157.7     157.7        2.4         .0         .3         .3         .1
+          _
     Shelter ................................    28.194     177.7     178.1        3.4         .2         .3         .2         .4
       Renters' costs 3/ 4/..................     7.994     185.9     186.1        3.9         .1         .6         .0         .7
+                     _  _
         Rent, residential ..................     5.731     168.7     169.1        3.1         .2         .2         .2         .3
         Other renters' costs 4/ ............     2.263     216.6     216.1        6.0        -.2        1.7        -.5        1.6
+                             _
       Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/...............    20.000     183.9     184.3        3.1         .2         .2         .3         .3
+                        _  _
         Owners' equivalent rent 3/ .........    19.616     184.2     184.7        3.1         .3         .2         .3         .3
+                                _
         Household insurance 3/ 4/ ..........      .383     167.0     167.1        2.9         .1        -.1         .1         .2
+                            _  _
       Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ........      .200     144.9     145.6        2.9         .5        1.5         .1         .5
+                              _  _
         Maintenance and repair
             services 1/ 4/ .................      .123     153.7     154.1        4.1         .3        2.1         .2         .3
+                     _  _
         Maintenance and repair
             commodities 1/ 4/ ..............      .077     132.7     133.9        1.0         .9         .5         .0         .9
+                        _  _
     Fuel and other utilities 2/ ............     7.102     131.1     130.0         .5        -.8         .3         .9       -1.1
+                             _
       Fuels ................................     3.878     117.7     115.8       -1.1       -1.6         .4        1.5       -2.3
         Fuel oil and other household fuel
             commodities ....................      .424      96.6      97.2      -11.9         .6        -.3         .6        -.6
         Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
             services).......................     3.453     125.3     123.0         .2       -1.8         .5        1.6       -2.4
       Other utilities and public
           services 4/ ......................     3.224     162.8     162.9        2.4         .1         .1         .3         .1
+                   _
     Household furnishings and operation 2/ .     5.908     125.2     125.1         .1        -.1         .1         .1         .0
+                                        _
       Housefurnishings 4/ ..................     3.332     109.7     109.5       -1.4        -.2         .1        -.1         .0
+                       _
       Housekeeping supplies ................     1.093     143.4     143.4        1.4         .0        -.1         .1         .3
       Housekeeping services 4/ .............     1.482     153.7     153.7        2.4         .0         .1         .5        -.1
+                            _
 
   Apparel and upkeep .......................     5.330     134.7     131.6        1.0       -2.3         .1         .2         .1
     Apparel commodities 4/ .................     4.786     131.1     127.7         .9       -2.6         .1         .2         .1
+                        _
       Men's and boys' apparel ..............     1.280     133.0     131.2        2.7       -1.4         .2        -.5         .8
       Women's and girls' apparel............     2.102     128.8     123.6         .2       -4.0        -.5        1.0        -.7
       Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ....      .186     126.0     125.8        -.9        -.2        -.4        -.2        -.2
+                                     _
       Footwear .............................      .718     129.3     128.2        1.8        -.9        1.5        -.5         .9
       Other apparel commodities 4/..........      .500     143.6     139.6       -1.4       -2.8         .3        -.1         .5
+                                _
     Apparel services 1/ 4/ .................      .545     163.4     163.8        1.4         .2         .0        -.2         .2
+                     _  _
 
   Transportation ...........................    17.140     143.9     143.2       -1.4        -.5         .1        -.7        -.2
     Private transportation .................    15.499     140.6     140.0       -1.2        -.4        -.2        -.5        -.1
       New vehicles .........................     4.955     144.0     144.1        -.9         .1        -.3        -.2        -.2
         New cars ...........................     3.952     141.3     141.5       -1.0         .1        -.2        -.1        -.3
       Used cars ............................     1.278     147.6     147.9       -4.9         .2        -.5        -.1         .3
       Motor fuel ...........................     3.171     104.6     101.9       -6.2       -2.6        -.5       -2.1       -1.0
         Gasoline ...........................      -        104.1     101.3       -6.1       -2.7        -.6       -2.3       -1.0
       Maintenance and repairs ..............     1.533     164.0     164.7        2.6         .4         .2         .2         .5
       Other private transportation 4/.......     4.562     179.0     178.9        1.6        -.1        -.1        -.1         .1
+                                   _
         Other private transportation
             commodities 4/..................      .589     104.5     104.4        -.8        -.1        -.3         .0        -.3
+                        _
         Other private transportation
             services 4/ ....................     3.973     196.6     196.6        2.0         .0         .0        -.1         .2
+                     _
     Public transportation ..................     1.642     185.9     184.3       -2.9        -.9        2.7       -2.3        -.9
 
   Medical care .............................     7.346     236.4     237.1        2.8         .3         .1         .3         .5
     Medical care commodities ...............     1.273     215.8     216.8        2.3         .5         .0         .2         .6
     Medical care services ..................     6.073     241.2     241.8        2.9         .2         .1         .4         .5
       Professional medical services ........     3.472     217.1     217.5        3.1         .2         .2         .1         .4
 
   Entertainment 4/ .........................     4.352     162.9     163.1        1.4         .1         .2        -.2         .3
+                _
     Entertainment commodities 4/ ...........     1.957     144.3     144.0        -.1        -.2        -.2        -.2         .0
+                              _
     Entertainment services 4/ ..............     2.395     184.6     185.1        2.5         .3         .5        -.3         .4
+                           _
 
   Other goods and services 2/ ..............     7.145     229.9     230.1        5.2         .1         .7         .3         .4
+                           _
     Tobacco and smoking products ...........     1.601     250.7     251.2        7.2         .2        1.5         .1         .7
     Personal care 1/ .......................     1.145     154.3     154.0        2.3        -.2         .4         .7        -.2
+                  _
       Toilet goods and personal care
           appliances 1/ ....................      .588     146.1     145.3        1.8        -.5         .6        1.1        -.5
+                     _
       Personal care services 1/ ............      .557     163.5     163.9        3.0         .2         .4         .1         .2
+                             _
     Personal and educational expenses 4/ ...     4.398     265.8     266.1        5.2         .1         .5         .4         .4
+                                      _
       School books and supplies ............      .264     242.4     242.8        5.1         .2         .7         .2         .5
       Personal and educational services 4/ .     4.134     267.8     268.1        5.2         .1         .5         .4         .4
+                                        _
 
         Commodity and service group
 
 All items ..................................   100.000     161.5     161.3        1.7        -.1         .2         .1         .1
   Commodities ..............................    42.873     142.3     141.7         .2        -.4         .0        -.1         .0
     Food and beverages .....................    17.484     158.9     159.1        1.6         .1         .2         .1         .0
     Commodities less food and beverages ....    25.389     132.2     131.2        -.7        -.8         .0        -.2        -.1
       Nondurables less food and beverages ..    15.147     135.3     133.5        -.1       -1.3         .1        -.3         .1
         Apparel commodities 4/ .............     4.786     131.1     127.7         .9       -2.6         .1         .2         .1
+                            _
         Nondurables less food, beverages,
             and apparel ....................    10.362     140.6     139.5        -.7        -.8        -.1        -.6         .2
       Durables .............................    10.242     127.9     128.0       -1.5         .1        -.1        -.1        -.1
   Services .................................    57.127     181.0     181.0        2.8         .0         .3         .2         .2
     Rent of shelter 3/ .....................    27.577     185.0     185.3        3.3         .2         .3         .3         .4
+                    _
     Household services less rent of
         shelter 3/ 4/.......................     8.698     146.7     145.7        1.6        -.7         .4         .8        -.9
+                _  _
     Transportation services ................     7.148     186.2     186.0        1.0        -.1         .6        -.6         .1
     Medical care services ..................     6.073     241.2     241.8        2.9         .2         .1         .4         .5
     Other services .........................     7.631     212.7     213.1        4.0         .2         .4         .1         .4
 
               Special indexes
 
 All items less food ........................    84.087     162.1     161.8        1.8        -.2         .2         .1         .1
 All items less shelter .....................    71.806     156.8     156.4        1.1        -.3         .2         .1        -.1
 All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/......    80.000     162.2     161.8        1.4        -.2         .2         .1         .0
+                                 _  _
 All items less medical care ................    92.654     157.3     157.0        1.6        -.2         .2         .1         .1
 Commodities less food ......................    26.960     133.5     132.6        -.5        -.7        -.1        -.2         .0
 Nondurables less food ......................    16.718     137.0     135.3         .0       -1.2         .1        -.2         .0
 Nondurables less food and apparel ..........    11.932     141.9     141.0        -.4        -.6        -.1        -.3        -.1
 Nondurables ................................    32.631     147.3     146.5         .8        -.5         .0         .1        -.1
 Services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/ ........    29.550     189.8     189.5        2.3        -.2         .4         .2         .1
+                              _  _
 Services less medical care services ........    51.054     175.4     175.4        2.8         .0         .5         .1         .2
 Energy .....................................     7.049     110.7     108.4       -3.4       -2.1         .1        -.2       -1.6
 All items less energy ......................    92.951     168.3     168.3        2.1         .0         .2         .1         .2
   All items less food and energy ...........    77.038     170.8     170.7        2.2        -.1         .2         .1         .2
     Commodities less food and
         energy commodities .................    23.364     142.8     142.1         .4        -.5         .1         .0         .1
       Energy commodities ...................     3.596     103.9     101.6       -6.9       -2.2        -.4       -1.9        -.9
     Services less energy services ..........    53.674     186.7     186.9        3.0         .1         .3         .1         .4
 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar:
   1982-84=$1.00 1/ .........................      -        $.619     $.620       -1.7         .2        -.2         .0         .2
+                _
   1967=$1.00 1/ ............................      -         .207      .207        -          -          -          -          -
+             _
 
+
 
    1/     Not seasonally adjusted.
+   _
    2/     This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 1998.
+   _
    3/     Indexes on a December 1982=100 base.
+   _
    4/     This index series will no longer appear in its present form after December, 1997.
+   _
           See Table X for a comparable index series.
    -      Data not available.
    NOTE:  Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.
 
 
  Table 2. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): Seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by expenditure category and
  commodity and service group
 
  (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)
 
+
                                                   Seasonally adjusted indexes             Seasonally adjusted annual rate
                                                                                                 percent change for
                                                                                         3 months ended-           6 months ended-
                                                  Sept.   Oct.    Nov.    Dec.    Mar.    June    Sept.   Dec.     June      Dec.
                                                  1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997     1997      1997
 
               Expenditure category
 
  All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        1.8     1.0     2.5     1.5      1.4       2.0
 
    Food and beverages .........................   158.7   159.0   159.2   159.2      .5     1.5     3.3     1.3      1.0       2.3
      Food .....................................   158.4   158.7   159.0   158.9      .3     1.5     3.4     1.3       .9       2.3
        Food at home ...........................   159.1   159.4   159.6   159.2    -1.3     1.3     3.6      .3       .0       1.9
          Cereals and bakery products ..........   178.3   178.7   178.9   179.3      .9     1.4     1.6     2.3      1.1       1.9
          Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......   149.1   148.7   148.8   147.8    -5.8     4.1     1.4    -3.4      -.9      -1.1
          Dairy products 1/ ....................   143.5   145.7   147.0   147.8    -6.6    -5.4    -1.7    12.5     -6.0       5.2
+                        _
          Fruits and vegetables 2/..............   190.8   191.4   192.1   190.1     4.2    -5.2    12.4    -1.5      -.6       5.2
+                               _
          Other food at home ...................   149.0   148.8   148.3   148.5     1.7     7.7     3.6    -1.3      4.6       1.1
            Sugar and sweets ...................   148.4   147.9   148.5   149.2      .0     5.9      .8     2.2      2.9       1.5
            Fats and oils ......................   142.5   141.7   141.4   141.6      .0    -1.7     3.1    -2.5      -.8        .3
            Nonalcoholic beverages .............   136.9   136.6   135.0   133.9     4.1    19.6     6.1    -8.5     11.6      -1.5
            Other prepared food ................   162.1   162.3   162.3   163.5     1.0     2.5     2.8     3.5      1.8       3.1
        Food away from home ....................   157.8   158.0   158.4   159.0     2.9     1.5     3.1     3.1      2.2       3.1
      Alcoholic beverages ......................   163.7   163.8   164.0   164.7     1.2     2.0     3.2     2.5      1.6       2.9
 
    Housing 2/ .................................   157.3   157.7   158.2   158.4     2.3     2.3     2.1     2.8      2.3       2.4
+           _
      Shelter ..................................   177.0   177.5   177.9   178.7     3.3     3.5     2.8     3.9      3.4       3.3
        Renters' costs 3/ 4/....................   186.4   187.6   187.6   188.9     4.9     3.3     2.2     5.5      4.1       3.8
+                      _  _
          Rent, residential ....................   167.8   168.2   168.6   169.1     2.7     3.4     3.2     3.1      3.1       3.1
          Other renters' costs 4/ ..............   224.8   228.6   227.5   231.1    10.9     2.7     -.7    11.7      6.7       5.3
+                              _
        Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/ ................   182.6   182.9   183.5   184.1     2.7     3.2     3.1     3.3      2.9       3.2
+                         _  _
          Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ...........   183.0   183.3   183.9   184.5     2.5     3.4     3.1     3.3      2.9       3.2
+                                 _
          Household insurance 3/ 4/ ............   166.8   166.7   166.9   167.3     2.5     4.0     4.2     1.2      3.2       2.7
+                             _  _
        Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ..........   142.6   144.7   144.9   145.6     2.6     2.6    -1.9     8.7      2.6       3.2
+                               _  _
          Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/    150.2   153.4   153.7   154.1     1.1     4.4      .5    10.8      2.7       5.5
+                                         _  _
          Maintenance and repair
              commodities 1/ 4/ ................   132.1   132.7   132.7   133.9     5.2     -.6    -5.8     5.6      2.3       -.3
+                         _  _
      Fuel and other utilities 2/...............   130.7   131.1   132.3   130.8      .6     -.9     1.5      .3      -.2        .9
+                              _
        Fuels ..................................   116.5   117.0   118.8   116.1      .0    -4.3      .7    -1.4     -2.2       -.3
          Fuel oil and other household fuel
              commodities ......................    96.8    96.5    97.1    96.5   -22.9   -12.3    -9.7    -1.2    -17.8      -5.6
          Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
              services).........................   124.1   124.7   126.7   123.7     3.3    -3.5     2.0    -1.3      -.2        .3
        Other utilities and public services 4/ .   162.5   162.7   163.2   163.4     1.5     3.3     2.5     2.2      2.4       2.4
+                                           _
      Household furnishings and operation 2/ ...   125.2   125.3   125.4   125.4     -.3     1.9    -1.6      .6       .8       -.5
+                                         _
        Housefurnishings 4/ ....................   110.0   110.1   110.0   110.0    -1.8     1.5    -4.6      .0      -.2      -2.3
+                        _
        Housekeeping supplies ..................   143.3   143.1   143.2   143.7     2.3     1.4      .8     1.1      1.8       1.0
        Housekeeping services 4/ ...............   153.1   153.3   154.0   153.9      .5     3.5     3.5     2.1      2.0       2.8
+                             _
 
    Apparel and upkeep .........................   132.6   132.7   132.9   133.0     1.2     3.4    -2.1     1.2      2.3       -.4
      Apparel commodities 4/ ...................   128.7   128.8   129.1   129.2      .9     3.8    -2.4     1.6      2.4       -.5
+                         _
        Men's and boys' apparel ................   131.0   131.2   130.6   131.6     -.6     5.4     4.1     1.8      2.4       3.0
        Women's and girls' apparel .............   125.5   124.9   126.1   125.2     2.9     5.2    -5.8    -1.0      4.0      -3.4
        Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ......   126.7   126.2   126.0   125.8     9.1    10.2   -17.4    -2.8      9.7     -10.4
+                                      _
        Footwear ...............................   127.4   129.3   128.6   129.8    -3.7     -.6     4.5     7.8     -2.2       6.1
        Other apparel commodities 4/............   143.7   144.1   144.0   144.7     2.2    -3.2    -6.9     2.8      -.5      -2.2
+                                 _
      Apparel services 1/ 4/ ...................   163.7   163.7   163.4   163.8     2.2     2.0     1.2      .2      2.1        .7
+                      _  _
 
    Transportation .............................   144.8   144.9   143.9   143.6     -.8    -5.9     4.5    -3.3     -3.4        .6
      Private transportation ...................   141.7   141.4   140.7   140.5      .3    -6.8     5.2    -3.3     -3.3        .9
        New vehicles ...........................   144.4   144.0   143.7   143.4     -.3     -.8      .3    -2.7      -.6      -1.2
          New cars .............................   141.7   141.4   141.2   140.8     -.6     -.8      .0    -2.5      -.7      -1.3
        Used cars ..............................   147.8   147.0   146.8   147.3     7.2   -16.2    -8.0    -1.3     -5.2      -4.7
        Motor fuel .............................   108.0   107.5   105.2   104.2    -5.6   -26.5    28.7   -13.3    -16.7       5.6
          Gasoline .............................   107.8   107.2   104.7   103.7    -5.3   -26.6    30.3   -14.4    -16.6       5.6
        Maintenance and repairs ................   163.2   163.5   163.9   164.8     2.0     3.3     1.0     4.0      2.6       2.5
        Other private transportation 4/.........   178.2   178.1   178.0   178.2     3.2     1.1     2.3      .0      2.2       1.1
+                                    _
          Other private transportation
              commodities 4/....................   104.8   104.5   104.5   104.2     -.8      .4     -.4    -2.3      -.2      -1.3
+                         _
          Other private transportation
              services 4/ ......................   195.8   195.8   195.6   196.0     3.8     1.2     2.7      .4      2.5       1.5
+                      _
      Public transportation ....................   186.7   191.7   187.2   185.6   -10.6     2.8    -1.1    -2.3     -4.1      -1.7
 
    Medical care ...............................   235.9   236.1   236.9   238.0     3.0     2.9     1.7     3.6      3.0       2.7
      Medical care commodities .................   215.7   215.6   216.0   217.2     4.0     2.8     -.6     2.8      3.4       1.1
      Medical care services ....................   240.3   240.5   241.4   242.6     2.7     3.1     2.2     3.9      2.9       3.0
        Professional medical services ..........   216.6   217.0   217.3   218.1     4.0     3.4     2.1     2.8      3.7       2.4
    Entertainment 4/ ...........................   163.0   163.3   162.9   163.4     1.5     3.0      .2     1.0      2.2        .6
+                 _
      Entertainment commodities 4/ .............   144.9   144.6   144.3   144.3     -.6     -.3     2.2    -1.6      -.4        .3
+                               _
      Entertainment services 4/ ................   184.2   185.1   184.6   185.4     2.9     5.8    -1.1     2.6      4.4        .8
+                            _
 
    Other goods and services 2/.................   227.5   229.1   229.9   230.8     5.4     4.8     4.7     5.9      5.1       5.3
+                            _
      Tobacco and smoking products .............   246.5   250.2   250.4   252.2     5.6     3.6    10.2     9.6      4.6       9.9
      Personal care 1/ .........................   152.7   153.3   154.3   154.0     3.5     2.7     -.3     3.4      3.1       1.6
+                   _
        Toilet goods and personal care
            appliances 1/ ......................   143.7   144.5   146.1   145.3     2.3     1.7    -1.4     4.5      2.0       1.5
+                      _
        Personal care services 1/ ..............   162.8   163.4   163.5   163.9     5.1     3.5      .5     2.7      4.3       1.6
+                              _
      Personal and educational expenses 4/ .....   262.5   263.7   264.7   265.8     5.8     5.9     3.9     5.1      5.9       4.5
+                                       _
        School books and supplies ..............   241.0   242.6   243.1   244.2     2.6     8.3     3.9     5.4      5.4       4.7
        Personal and educational services 4/ ...   264.0   265.2   266.2   267.3     6.0     5.7     4.0     5.1      5.8       4.6
+                                         _
 
           Commodity and service group
 
  All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        1.8     1.0     2.5     1.5      1.4       2.0
    Commodities ................................   142.3   142.3   142.2   142.2      .0    -1.4     2.9     -.3      -.7       1.3
      Food and beverages .......................   158.7   159.0   159.2   159.2      .5     1.5     3.3     1.3      1.0       2.3
      Commodities less food and beverages ......   132.3   132.3   132.0   131.9     -.3    -3.3     2.1    -1.2     -1.8        .5
        Nondurables less food and beverages ....   135.2   135.3   134.9   135.0    -1.8    -3.2     5.2     -.6     -2.5       2.3
          Apparel commodities 4/ ...............   128.7   128.8   129.1   129.2      .9     3.8    -2.4     1.6      2.4       -.5
+                             _
          Nondurables less food, beverages,
              and apparel ......................   141.4   141.3   140.5   140.8    -1.1    -8.2     9.0    -1.7     -4.7       3.5
        Durables ...............................   128.1   128.0   127.9   127.8     -.3    -1.8    -2.8     -.9     -1.1      -1.9
    Services ...................................   180.4   181.0   181.4   181.7     2.7     3.0     2.5     2.9      2.8       2.7
      Rent of shelter 3/ .......................   184.4   185.0   185.5   186.2     3.4     3.3     2.4     4.0      3.4       3.2
+                     _
      Household services less rent
          of shelter 3/ 4/......................   146.1   146.7   147.9   146.6     2.5      .8     1.7     1.4      1.7       1.5
+                    _  _
      Transportation services ..................   185.7   186.9   185.8   185.9      .0     2.0     1.5      .4      1.0       1.0
      Medical care services ....................   240.3   240.5   241.4   242.6     2.7     3.1     2.2     3.9      2.9       3.0
      Other services ...........................   211.5   212.4   212.7   213.5     4.8     5.3     1.9     3.8      5.0       2.9
 
                 Special indexes
 
  All items less food ..........................   161.7   162.0   162.2   162.4     1.8     1.0     2.5     1.7      1.4       2.1
  All items less shelter .......................   156.5   156.8   156.9   156.8     1.0      .3     2.3      .8       .6       1.5
  All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/........   162.0   162.4   162.5   162.5     1.5      .5     2.3     1.2      1.0       1.7
+                                  _  _
  All items less medical care ..................   156.9   157.2   157.3   157.4     1.6     1.0     2.6     1.3      1.3       1.9
  Commodities less food ........................   133.8   133.7   133.4   133.4      .0    -3.2     2.4    -1.2     -1.6        .6
  Nondurables less food ........................   136.9   137.0   136.7   136.7    -1.5    -2.9     5.1     -.6     -2.2       2.2
  Nondurables less food and apparel ............   143.2   143.0   142.5   142.3    -1.9    -6.6    10.4    -2.5     -4.3       3.8
  Nondurables ..................................   147.1   147.1   147.3   147.2     -.3    -1.1     4.5      .3      -.7       2.4
  Services less rent of shelter 3/ .............   188.9   189.6   190.0   190.1     2.2     2.8     1.9     2.6      2.5       2.2
+                               _
  Services less medical care services ..........   174.7   175.5   175.7   176.1     2.8     2.6     2.6     3.2      2.7       2.9
  Energy .......................................   111.6   111.7   111.5   109.7    -2.8   -14.7    11.9    -6.6     -8.9       2.2
  All items less energy ........................   168.0   168.3   168.5   168.9     1.9     2.4     1.9     2.2      2.2       2.0
    All items less food and energy .............   170.4   170.8   171.0   171.4     2.4     2.4     1.7     2.4      2.4       2.0
      Commodities less food and energy
          commodities ..........................   142.3   142.4   142.4   142.5     1.1      .6     -.6      .6       .8        .0
        Energy commodities .....................   106.8   106.4   104.4   103.5    -8.0   -24.9    23.6   -11.8    -16.9       4.4
      Services less energy services ............   186.1   186.7   186.9   187.6     2.7     3.5     2.4     3.3      3.1       2.8
 
+
 
     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                                       Dec. 1997 from-         Nov. 1997 from-
                                           schedule    Sept.   Oct.    Nov.    Dec.    Dec.    Oct.    Nov.    Nov.    Sept.   Oct.
                                              1/       1997    1997    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997
+                                             _
 
 
 
 U.S. city average ......................      M        161.2   161.6   161.5   161.3     1.7    -0.2    -0.1     1.8     0.2    -0.1
 
         Region and area size 2/
+                             _
 
 Northeast urban.........................      M        168.4   168.7   168.5   168.4     1.6     -.2     -.1     1.9      .1     -.1
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        169.2   169.5   169.3   169.1     1.7     -.2     -.1     2.0      .1     -.1
   Size B -  500,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        166.0   166.0   165.8   165.9     1.0     -.1      .1     1.7     -.1     -.1
+                                 _
   Size C -  50,000 to 500,000 3/........      M        167.1   167.6   167.5   167.2     1.6     -.2     -.2     1.9      .2     -.1
+                              _
 
 North Central urban ....................      M        157.5   157.7   157.7   157.3     1.3     -.3     -.3     1.7      .1      .0
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        158.3   158.4   158.4   158.1     1.7     -.2     -.2     2.0      .1      .0
   Size B -  360,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        156.2   156.7   156.9   155.8      .8     -.6     -.7     1.6      .4      .1
+                                 _
   Size C -  50,000 to 360,000 3/........      M        159.6   159.7   159.3   159.5     1.1     -.1      .1     1.4     -.2     -.3
+                              _
   Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
             (less than 50,000) .........      M        153.4   153.2   153.7   153.0      .7     -.1     -.5     1.2      .2      .3
 
 South urban ............................      M        157.5   157.8   157.8   157.3     1.4     -.3     -.3     1.7      .2      .0
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        156.4   156.7   156.4   156.3     1.5     -.3     -.1     1.7      .0     -.2
   Size B -  450,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        160.6   160.9   161.2   160.8     1.6     -.1     -.2     1.9      .4      .2
+                                 _
   Size C -  50,000 to 450,000 3/........      M        156.7   157.2   157.3   155.9     1.0     -.8     -.9     1.7      .4      .1
+                              _
   Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
             (less than 50,000) .........      M        157.1   156.9   157.1   157.0     1.7      .1     -.1     1.6      .0      .1
 
 West urban .............................      M        162.1   162.8   162.8   162.8     2.6      .0      .0     2.3      .4      .0
   Size A -  More than 1,250,000 ........      M        162.3   163.1   162.8   163.1     2.8      .0      .2     2.3      .3     -.2
   Size C -  50,000 to 330,000 3/........      M        167.4   168.3   169.2   168.5     2.8      .1     -.4     3.2     1.1      .5
+                              _
 
 Size classes
   A 4/ .................................      M        145.6   146.0   145.8   145.7     2.0     -.2     -.1     2.0      .1     -.1
+    _
   B 3/ .................................      M        161.2   161.5   161.6   161.1     1.3     -.2     -.3     1.7      .2      .1
+    _
   C 3/ .................................      M        161.0   161.5   161.6   160.9     1.5     -.4     -.4     2.0      .4      .1
+    _
   D ....................................      M        157.4   157.6   157.8   157.5     1.3     -.1     -.2     1.3      .3      .1
 
           Selected local areas
 
 Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI......      M        162.1   162.5   162.9   162.8     1.9      .2     -.1     2.2      .5      .2
 Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ......      M        160.5   161.1   160.7   161.2     1.8      .1      .3     1.5      .1     -.2
 N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT      M        171.7   172.3   172.0   171.9     2.0     -.2     -.1     2.1      .2     -.2
 Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton,
 PA-NJ-DE-MD 5/ .........................      M        168.6   167.7   166.4   166.4     1.3     -.8      .0     1.3    -1.3     -.8
+            _
 San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA 5/ ..      M        161.6   162.5   162.6   162.6     4.2      .1      .0     3.6      .6      .1
+                                   _
 
 Baltimore, MD 6/ .......................      1        156.7    -      156.0    -       -       -       -         .8     -.4    -
+              _
 Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ...........      1        167.8    -      169.4    -       -       -       -        1.9     1.0    -
 Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH .............      1        157.3    -      157.1    -       -       -       -        2.1     -.1    -
 Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ..............      1        158.5    -      159.5    -       -       -       -        2.0      .6    -
 St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL 7/ .....      1        155.1    -      152.9    -       -       -       -        1.0    -1.4    -
+                                _
 Washington, DC-MD-VA 6/ ................      1        163.6    -      161.8    -       -       -       -         .4    -1.1    -
+                     _
 
 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX ..................      2         -      152.8    -      152.5     1.7     -.2    -       -       -       -
 Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI ..................      2         -      157.9    -      157.1     1.8     -.5    -       -       -       -
 Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .........      2         -      147.3    -      145.6     1.4    -1.2    -       -       -       -
 Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA 7/ ........      2         -      157.9    -      157.1     1.1     -.5    -       -       -       -
+                             _
 
+
 
    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     Nov.      Dec.       Dec. 1997 from-     Sept. to   Oct. to    Nov. to
                                                 1996       1997      1997    Dec. 1996  Nov. 1997     Oct.       Nov.       Dec.
 
             Expenditure category
 
 All items ..................................   100.000     158.5     158.2        1.5       -0.2        0.2        0.1        0.1
 All items (1967=100) .......................      -        472.2     471.3        -          -          -          -          -
 
   Food and beverages .......................    19.436     158.3     158.5        1.5         .1         .2         .1         .0
     Food ...................................    17.749     157.9     158.1        1.5         .1         .2         .1        -.1
       Food at home .........................    11.387     158.1     158.2         .8         .1         .3         .1        -.3
         Cereals and bakery products ........     1.688     177.8     178.1        1.5         .2         .3         .1         .2
         Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .....     3.535     149.0     148.0       -1.2        -.7        -.2         .0        -.7
         Dairy products 1/ ..................     1.387     146.8     147.5        -.7         .5        1.6         .9         .5
+                       _
         Fruits and vegetables 2/ ...........     2.086     188.4     190.0        2.2         .8         .5         .2       -1.1
+                              _
         Other food at home .................     2.691     147.0     147.1        2.7         .1        -.1        -.4         .2
           Sugar and sweets .................      .373     147.3     147.7        2.2         .3        -.3         .4         .6
           Fats and oils ....................      .282     140.2     140.0        -.3        -.1        -.4        -.1         .1
           Nonalcoholic beverages ...........      .841     133.3     131.7        4.1       -1.2        -.1       -1.1        -.7
           Other prepared food ..............     1.194     161.3     162.7        2.5         .9         .1        -.1         .7
       Food away from home ..................     6.362     158.6     159.0        2.6         .3         .2         .3         .3
     Alcoholic beverages ....................     1.687     162.8     163.1        2.0         .2         .1         .1         .4
 
   Housing 2/ ...............................    38.747     154.5     154.4        2.3        -.1         .2         .4         .0
+          _
     Shelter ................................    25.867     172.8     173.1        3.2         .2         .3         .2         .4
       Renters' costs 3/ 4/..................     8.079     162.7     163.1        3.7         .2         .4         .1         .7
+                     _  _
         Rent, residential ..................     6.580     168.4     168.8        3.1         .2         .2         .2         .3
         Other renters' costs 4/ ............     1.499     215.6     215.8        5.9         .1        1.2        -.4        1.8
+                             _
       Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/...............    17.599     167.6     168.0        3.1         .2         .2         .3         .3
+                        _  _
         Owners' equivalent rent 3/ .........    17.277     167.9     168.3        3.0         .2         .2         .3         .4
+                                _
         Household insurance 3/ 4/ ..........      .322     151.4     151.6        3.0         .1         .1         .1         .3
+                            _  _
       Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ........      .189     142.8     143.4        2.4         .4        1.1         .1         .4
+                              _  _
         Maintenance and repair
             services 1/ 4/ .................      .105     154.7     155.2        3.4         .3        1.4         .2         .3
+                     _  _
         Maintenance and repair
             commodities 1/ 4/ ..............      .084     127.9     128.6        1.2         .5         .5         .1         .5
+                        _  _
     Fuel and other utilities 2/ ............     7.344     130.9     129.7         .5        -.9         .4        1.0       -1.3
+                             _
       Fuels ................................     3.979     117.3     115.2       -1.1       -1.8         .6        1.5       -2.5
         Fuel oil and other household fuel
             commodities ....................      .391      96.4      97.0      -12.3         .6        -.2         .5        -.9
         Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
             services).......................     3.588     124.9     122.4         .1       -2.0         .6        1.7       -2.6
       Other utilities and public
           services 4/ ......................     3.365     163.6     163.7        2.6         .1         .1         .3         .1
+                   _
     Household furnishings and operation 2/ .     5.536     123.7     123.6         .1        -.1         .1         .0         .1
+                                        _
       Housefurnishings 4/ ..................     3.261     108.5     108.3       -1.4        -.2         .1        -.2        -.1
+                       _
       Housekeeping supplies ................     1.129     144.2     144.3        1.6         .1         .0         .2         .3
       Housekeeping services 4/ .............     1.145     156.6     156.7        2.5         .1         .1         .4         .1
+                            _
 
   Apparel and upkeep .......................     5.348     133.6     130.3         .8       -2.5         .1         .1        -.1
     Apparel commodities 4/ .................     4.838     130.2     126.6         .7       -2.8         .1         .2        -.1
+                        _
       Men's and boys' apparel ..............     1.286     132.7     130.7        2.5       -1.5        -.1        -.3         .8
       Women's and girls' apparel............     2.053     127.0     121.5        -.2       -4.3        -.6         .8       -1.0
       Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ....      .240     127.1     126.5       -1.2        -.5        -.5        -.5        -.5
+                                     _
       Footwear .............................      .799     130.4     129.2        1.7        -.9        1.7        -.7         .9
       Other apparel commodities 4/..........      .461     143.5     138.5        -.9       -3.5        1.0         .1         .1
+                                _
     Apparel services 1/ 4/ .................      .510     162.6     162.9        1.5         .2         .0        -.1         .2
+                     _  _
 
   Transportation ...........................    19.190     143.1     142.4       -1.7        -.5        -.1        -.7        -.1
     Private transportation .................    17.934     140.8     140.1       -1.6        -.5        -.1        -.6        -.1
       New vehicles .........................     4.893     145.1     145.3        -.8         .1        -.1        -.4        -.1
         New cars ...........................     3.533     140.8     140.9       -1.3         .1        -.2        -.3        -.3
       Used cars ............................     2.320     149.2     149.5       -4.7         .2        -.5        -.1         .5
       Motor fuel ...........................     3.921     104.4     101.7       -6.6       -2.6        -.5       -2.2        -.9
         Gasoline ...........................      -        104.0     101.2       -6.6       -2.7        -.6       -2.4        -.9
       Maintenance and repairs ..............     1.616     165.1     165.7        2.7         .4         .1         .2         .6
       Other private transportation 4/.......     5.185     174.3     174.3        1.6         .0        -.1         .0         .1
+                                   _
         Other private transportation
             commodities 4/..................      .742     103.6     103.7        -.6         .1        -.2        -.1         .0
+                        _
         Other private transportation
             services 4/ ....................     4.442     192.3     192.3        2.0         .0         .0         .0         .1
+                     _
     Public transportation ..................     1.256     183.9     182.5       -2.4        -.8        2.2       -1.7        -.4
 
   Medical care .............................     6.251     235.8     236.5        2.8         .3         .2         .3         .5
     Medical care commodities ...............     1.047     213.1     214.1        2.2         .5         .0         .3         .4
     Medical care services ..................     5.204     240.8     241.6        2.9         .3         .2         .2         .5
       Professional medical services ........     2.973     218.5     218.9        3.1         .2         .2         .2         .3
 
   Entertainment 4/ .........................     4.015     160.3     160.4        1.3         .1         .1        -.2         .2
+                _
     Entertainment commodities 4/ ...........     2.036     142.9     142.8        -.1        -.1        -.3        -.3         .2
+                              _
     Entertainment services 4/ ..............     1.979     184.9     185.4        2.6         .3         .4        -.3         .4
+                           _
 
   Other goods and services 2/ ..............     7.012     226.7     226.9        5.4         .1         .8         .4         .4
+                           _
     Tobacco and smoking products ...........     2.117     250.5     250.9        7.3         .2        1.5         .1         .7
     Personal care 1/ .......................     1.107     154.3     153.9        2.3        -.3         .5         .7        -.3
+                  _
       Toilet goods and personal care
           appliances 1/ ....................      .610     147.1     146.1        1.8        -.7         .5        1.2        -.7
+                     _
       Personal care services 1/ ............      .497     163.7     164.1        2.9         .2         .3         .1         .2
+                             _
     Personal and educational expenses 4/ ...     3.788     261.2     261.6        5.4         .2         .4         .3         .6
+                                      _
       School books and supplies ............      .232     244.7     245.2        5.3         .2         .6         .3         .5
       Personal and educational services 4/ .     3.556     262.8     263.2        5.4         .2         .4         .3         .6
+                                        _
 
         Commodity and service group
 
 All items ..................................   100.000     158.5     158.2        1.5        -.2         .2         .1         .1
   Commodities ..............................    47.057     142.1     141.6         .1        -.4         .1        -.1        -.1
     Food and beverages .....................    19.436     158.3     158.5        1.5         .1         .2         .1         .0
     Commodities less food and beverages ....    27.621     132.3     131.3        -.8        -.8         .0        -.4         .0
       Nondurables less food and beverages ..    16.215     135.1     133.1        -.4       -1.5         .1        -.4         .1
         Apparel commodities 4/ .............     4.838     130.2     126.6         .7       -2.8         .1         .2        -.1
+                            _
         Nondurables less food, beverages,
             and apparel ....................    11.377     140.5     139.3        -.8        -.9        -.1        -.6         .3
       Durables .............................    11.407     127.3     127.5       -1.6         .2        -.1        -.3         .1
   Services .................................    52.943     178.1     178.2        2.8         .1         .3         .3         .2
     Rent of shelter 3/ .....................    25.329     166.3     166.6        3.2         .2         .2         .2         .3
+                    _
     Household services less rent of
         shelter 3/ 4/.......................     8.553     134.8     133.7        1.5        -.8         .4         .8        -.9
+                _  _
     Transportation services ................     7.314     184.0     183.9        1.3        -.1         .4        -.2         .1
     Medical care services ..................     5.204     240.8     241.6        2.9         .3         .2         .2         .5
     Other services .........................     6.542     209.5     209.9        4.1         .2         .4         .1         .4
 
               Special indexes
 
 All items less food ........................    82.251     158.5     158.1        1.5        -.3         .2         .1         .1
 All items less shelter .....................    74.133     154.7     154.2         .9        -.3         .2         .0        -.1
 All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/......    82.401     148.5     148.1        1.2        -.3         .2         .1         .0
+                                 _  _
 All items less medical care ................    93.749     154.9     154.5        1.4        -.3         .2         .1         .0
 Commodities less food ......................    29.308     133.5     132.5        -.7        -.7         .0        -.3         .0
 Nondurables less food ......................    17.901     136.7     135.0        -.1       -1.2         .0        -.3        -.1
 Nondurables less food and apparel ..........    13.064     141.7     140.7        -.4        -.7        -.1        -.5        -.1
 Nondurables ................................    35.651     147.0     146.2         .7        -.5         .1        -.1        -.1
 Services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/ ........    27.613     169.1     168.8        2.3        -.2         .4         .3        -.1
+                              _  _
 Services less medical care services ........    47.738     172.8     172.7        2.7        -.1         .4         .2         .1
 Energy .....................................     7.901     110.1     107.7       -3.8       -2.2         .1        -.3       -1.7
 All items less energy ......................    92.099     165.3     165.2        1.9        -.1         .2         .1         .2
   All items less food and energy ...........    74.350     167.2     167.1        2.1        -.1         .2         .1         .3
     Commodities less food and
         energy commodities .................    24.996     142.2     141.5         .4        -.5         .1         .0         .1
       Energy commodities ...................     4.312     104.0     101.6       -7.1       -2.3        -.4       -2.1        -.9
     Services less energy services ..........    49.354     184.0     184.3        3.0         .2         .3         .1         .4
 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar:
   1982-84=$1.00 1/ .........................      -        $.631     $.632       -1.4         .2        -.2         .0         .2
+                _
   1967=$1.00 1/ ............................      -         .212      .212        -          -          -          -          -
+             _
 
+
 
    1/     Not seasonally adjusted.
+   _
    2/     This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 1998.
+   _
    3/     Indexes on a December 1984=100 base.
+   _
    4/     This index series will no longer appear in its present form after December, 1997.
+   _
           See Table X for a comparable index series.
    -      Data not available.
    NOTE:  Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.
 
 
  Table 5. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and
  commodity and service group
 
  (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)
 
+
                                                   Seasonally adjusted indexes             Seasonally adjusted annual rate
                                                                                                 percent change for
                                                                                         3 months ended-           6 months ended-
                                                  Sept.   Oct.    Nov.    Dec.    Mar.    June    Sept.   Dec.     June      Dec.
                                                  1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997     1997      1997
 
               Expenditure category
 
  All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        1.5     0.5     2.6     1.3      1.0       1.9
 
    Food and beverages .........................   158.2   158.5   158.7   158.7      .3     1.5     3.1     1.3       .9       2.2
      Food .....................................   157.8   158.1   158.3   158.2      .3     1.5     3.1     1.0       .9       2.1
        Food at home ...........................   158.2   158.6   158.7   158.2    -1.5     1.8     3.1      .0       .1       1.5
          Cereals and bakery products ..........   177.9   178.4   178.6   179.0      .9     1.6     1.1     2.5      1.3       1.8
          Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......   148.7   148.4   148.4   147.4    -6.3     4.4     1.1    -3.5     -1.1      -1.2
          Dairy products 1/ ....................   143.2   145.5   146.8   147.5    -7.1    -5.4    -1.7    12.6     -6.2       5.2
+                        _
          Fruits and vegetables 2/..............   190.2   191.1   191.4   189.2     4.8    -4.6    11.7    -2.1       .0       4.6
+                               _
          Other food at home ...................   148.3   148.2   147.6   147.9     1.1     7.1     3.6    -1.1      4.1       1.2
            Sugar and sweets ...................   148.2   147.7   148.3   149.2      .0     5.6      .8     2.7      2.8       1.8
            Fats and oils ......................   142.0   141.4   141.2   141.4      .0    -1.4     2.0    -1.7      -.7        .1
            Nonalcoholic beverages .............   135.4   135.2   133.7   132.7     2.9    17.9     5.2    -7.7     10.1      -1.5
            Other prepared food ................   162.1   162.3   162.1   163.3      .3     2.8     3.5     3.0      1.5       3.3
        Food away from home ....................   157.8   158.1   158.5   159.0     3.4     1.0     3.1     3.1      2.2       3.1
      Alcoholic beverages ......................   162.8   163.0   163.2   163.8     1.0     2.0     2.5     2.5      1.5       2.5
 
    Housing 2/ .................................   153.9   154.2   154.8   154.8     2.4     2.1     2.1     2.4      2.3       2.2
+           _
      Shelter ..................................   172.0   172.5   172.9   173.6     3.1     3.3     2.6     3.8      3.2       3.2
        Renters' costs 3/ 4/....................   162.9   163.6   163.7   164.8     3.8     4.1     2.2     4.7      3.9       3.5
+                      _  _
          Rent, residential ....................   167.5   167.9   168.3   168.8     2.5     3.7     3.2     3.1      3.1       3.2
          Other renters' costs 4/ ..............   224.7   227.5   226.5   230.5     9.1     6.1    -1.8    10.7      7.6       4.3
+                              _
        Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/ ................   166.5   166.8   167.3   167.8     3.0     3.0     2.9     3.2      3.0       3.0
+                         _  _
          Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ...........   166.8   167.1   167.6   168.2     3.0     3.0     2.9     3.4      3.0       3.2
+                                 _
          Household insurance 3/ 4/ ............   151.1   151.2   151.3   151.7     3.0     3.3     4.1     1.6      3.1       2.8
+                             _  _
        Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ..........   141.1   142.6   142.8   143.4     2.3     2.3    -1.7     6.7      2.3       2.4
+                               _  _
          Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/    152.2   154.4   154.7   155.2      .5     4.6      .5     8.1      2.5       4.3
+                                         _  _
          Maintenance and repair
              commodities 1/ 4/ ................   127.2   127.8   127.9   128.6     5.1     -.3    -4.3     4.5      2.4        .0
+                         _  _
      Fuel and other utilities 2/...............   130.4   130.9   132.2   130.5     1.2    -1.2     1.9      .3       .0       1.1
+                              _
        Fuels ..................................   115.8   116.5   118.3   115.4      .7    -4.7      .7    -1.4     -2.0       -.3
          Fuel oil and other household fuel
              commodities ......................    96.6    96.4    96.9    96.0   -23.8   -12.6    -9.0    -2.5    -18.4      -5.8
          Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
              services).........................   123.5   124.3   126.4   123.1     3.6    -4.1     2.0    -1.3      -.3        .3
        Other utilities and public services 4/ .   163.3   163.5   164.0   164.2     2.0     3.0     3.0     2.2      2.5       2.6
+                                           _
      Household furnishings and operation 2/ ...   123.7   123.8   123.8   123.9     -.6     1.6    -1.3      .6       .5       -.3
+                                         _
        Housefurnishings 4/ ....................   108.9   109.0   108.8   108.7    -1.8     1.1    -3.9     -.7      -.4      -2.3
+                        _
        Housekeeping supplies ..................   143.8   143.8   144.1   144.6     2.6     1.1      .6     2.2      1.8       1.4
        Housekeeping services 4/ ...............   156.0   156.2   156.8   156.9      .0     4.2     3.7     2.3      2.1       3.0
+                             _
 
    Apparel and upkeep .........................   131.7   131.8   131.9   131.8     1.8     3.4    -2.4      .3      2.6      -1.1
      Apparel commodities 4/ ...................   128.2   128.3   128.5   128.4     2.2     3.5    -3.1      .6      2.8      -1.2
+                         _
        Men's and boys' apparel ................   130.8   130.7   130.3   131.3     -.6     5.1     4.4     1.5      2.2       3.0
        Women's and girls' apparel .............   124.5   123.7   124.7   123.5     5.6     4.2    -6.8    -3.2      4.9      -5.0
        Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ......   128.3   127.7   127.1   126.5     8.4     9.8   -15.5    -5.5      9.1     -10.6
+                                      _
        Footwear ...............................   128.3   130.5   129.6   130.8    -4.6      .0     4.2     8.0     -2.3       6.1
        Other apparel commodities 4/............   142.8   144.2   144.4   144.5     1.7     -.3    -9.0     4.8       .7      -2.3
+                                 _
      Apparel services 1/ 4/ ...................   162.8   162.8   162.6   162.9     2.5     1.7     1.5      .2      2.1        .9
+                      _  _
 
    Transportation .............................   144.0   143.9   142.9   142.8     -.3    -7.5     4.9    -3.3     -4.0        .7
      Private transportation ...................   141.7   141.5   140.6   140.5      .6    -7.9     4.6    -3.3     -3.7        .6
        New vehicles ...........................   145.6   145.4   144.8   144.6      .3     -.8      .0    -2.7      -.3      -1.4
          New cars .............................   141.3   141.0   140.6   140.2     -.3    -1.4      .0    -3.1      -.8      -1.6
        Used cars ..............................   149.2   148.5   148.3   149.0     7.4   -15.6    -8.4     -.5     -4.8      -4.5
        Motor fuel .............................   107.8   107.3   104.9   104.0    -6.6   -25.9    26.7   -13.4    -16.8       4.8
          Gasoline .............................   107.8   107.2   104.6   103.7    -7.0   -26.3    29.8   -14.4    -17.2       5.4
        Maintenance and repairs ................   164.4   164.6   164.9   165.9     2.5     3.2     1.5     3.7      2.9       2.6
        Other private transportation 4/.........   173.7   173.6   173.6   173.7     3.3     1.2     2.1      .0      2.2       1.0
+                                    _
          Other private transportation
              commodities 4/....................   103.9   103.7   103.6   103.6     -.4      .0     -.4    -1.1      -.2       -.8
+                         _
          Other private transportation
              services 4/ ......................   191.4   191.4   191.4   191.5     3.9     1.3     2.5      .2      2.6       1.4
+                      _
      Public transportation ....................   184.4   188.4   185.2   184.5   -12.5     1.5     1.8      .2     -5.7       1.0
 
    Medical care ...............................   235.1   235.6   236.2   237.3     2.8     3.0     1.7     3.8      2.9       2.8
      Medical care commodities .................   212.9   212.9   213.6   214.5     3.5     2.7     -.4     3.0      3.1       1.3
      Medical care services ....................   240.0   240.5   241.1   242.3     2.6     3.1     2.2     3.9      2.8       3.0
        Professional medical services ..........   218.0   218.4   218.9   219.5     3.8     3.4     2.2     2.8      3.6       2.5
    Entertainment 4/ ...........................   160.6   160.7   160.3   160.7     1.0     2.5     1.0      .2      1.8        .6
+                 _
      Entertainment commodities 4/ .............   143.7   143.3   142.9   143.2     -.6    -1.1     2.8    -1.4      -.8        .7
+                               _
      Entertainment services 4/ ................   184.8   185.5   184.9   185.6     2.9     6.3     -.6     1.7      4.6        .5
+                            _
 
    Other goods and services 2/.................   223.9   225.6   226.4   227.4     5.9     4.3     5.4     6.4      5.1       5.9
+                            _
      Tobacco and smoking products .............   246.1   249.9   250.2   251.9     5.9     3.2    10.4     9.8      4.6      10.1
      Personal care 1/ .........................   152.6   153.3   154.3   153.9     3.2     2.9     -.3     3.5      3.1       1.6
+                   _
        Toilet goods and personal care
            appliances 1/ ......................   144.7   145.4   147.1   146.1     2.2     2.0     -.8     3.9      2.1       1.5
+                      _
        Personal care services 1/ ..............   163.0   163.5   163.7   164.1     4.6     3.8      .7     2.7      4.2       1.7
+                              _
      Personal and educational expenses 4/ .....   257.9   259.0   259.8   261.3     6.4     5.5     4.3     5.4      6.0       4.8
+                                       _
        School books and supplies ..............   243.1   244.5   245.2   246.4     2.4     9.7     3.4     5.5      6.0       4.4
        Personal and educational services 4/ ...   259.2   260.3   261.2   262.7     6.7     5.3     4.1     5.5      6.0       4.8
+                                         _
 
           Commodity and service group
 
  All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        1.5      .5     2.6     1.3      1.0       1.9
    Commodities ................................   142.2   142.3   142.1   142.0      .3    -2.2     2.9     -.6     -1.0       1.1
      Food and beverages .......................   158.2   158.5   158.7   158.7      .3     1.5     3.1     1.3       .9       2.2
      Commodities less food and beverages ......   132.4   132.4   131.9   131.9      .0    -4.4     2.5    -1.5     -2.2        .5
        Nondurables less food and beverages ....   135.2   135.3   134.7   134.8    -1.5    -4.4     6.1    -1.2     -2.9       2.4
          Apparel commodities 4/ ...............   128.2   128.3   128.5   128.4     2.2     3.5    -3.1      .6      2.8      -1.2
+                             _
          Nondurables less food, beverages,
              and apparel ......................   141.3   141.2   140.3   140.7    -1.7    -8.8     9.9    -1.7     -5.3       4.0
        Durables ...............................   127.7   127.6   127.2   127.3      .0    -2.8    -2.5    -1.2     -1.4      -1.9
    Services ...................................   177.4   177.9   178.4   178.7     2.8     2.8     2.5     3.0      2.8       2.7
      Rent of shelter 3/ .......................   165.8   166.2   166.6   167.1     3.3     3.7     2.7     3.2      3.5       2.9
+                     _
      Household services less rent
          of shelter 3/ 4/......................   134.2   134.8   135.9   134.7     2.4      .6     1.8     1.5      1.5       1.7
+                    _  _
      Transportation services ..................   183.4   184.1   183.7   183.8      .4     1.8     2.2      .9      1.1       1.5
      Medical care services ....................   240.0   240.5   241.1   242.3     2.6     3.1     2.2     3.9      2.8       3.0
      Other services ...........................   208.3   209.1   209.3   210.2     5.0     5.2     2.1     3.7      5.1       2.9
 
                 Special indexes
 
  All items less food ..........................   158.0   158.3   158.4   158.5     1.8      .3     2.6     1.3      1.0       1.9
  All items less shelter .......................   154.5   154.8   154.8   154.7     1.0     -.5     2.6      .5       .3       1.6
  All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/........   148.3   148.6   148.7   148.7     1.4      .0     2.5     1.1       .7       1.8
+                                  _  _
  All items less medical care ..................   154.5   154.8   154.9   154.9     1.3      .5     2.6     1.0       .9       1.8
  Commodities less food ........................   133.8   133.8   133.4   133.4      .0    -4.1     2.4    -1.2     -2.1        .6
  Nondurables less food ........................   137.0   137.0   136.6   136.5    -1.7    -4.1     7.0    -1.5     -2.9       2.7
  Nondurables less food and apparel ............   142.9   142.8   142.1   141.9    -1.9    -7.4    11.1    -2.8     -4.7       3.9
  Nondurables ..................................   147.0   147.1   147.0   146.9     -.3    -1.6     5.1     -.3     -1.0       2.4
  Services less rent of shelter 3/ .............   168.3   169.0   169.5   169.3     2.7     1.9     2.4     2.4      2.3       2.4
+                               _
  Services less medical care services ..........   172.0   172.7   173.1   173.3     2.6     3.1     2.4     3.1      2.9       2.7
  Energy .......................................   111.3   111.4   111.1   109.2    -2.8   -16.0    12.8    -7.3     -9.6       2.2
  All items less energy ........................   164.8   165.2   165.4   165.7     2.0     2.0     1.7     2.2      2.0       2.0
    All items less food and energy .............   166.8   167.1   167.3   167.8     2.5     2.2     1.5     2.4      2.3       1.9
      Commodities less food and energy
          commodities ..........................   141.8   141.9   141.9   142.0     1.7     -.3     -.6      .6       .7        .0
        Energy commodities .....................   107.0   106.6   104.4   103.5    -8.3   -24.8    23.0   -12.5    -17.0       3.8
      Services less energy services ............   183.6   184.1   184.3   185.0     2.9     3.4     2.7     3.1      3.1       2.9
 
+
 
     1/     Not seasonally adjusted.
+    _
     2/     This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 1998.
+    _
     3/     Indexes on a December 1984=100 base.
+    _
     4/     This index series will no longer appear in its present form after December, 1997.
+    _
            See Table X for a comparable index series.
     -      Data not available.
     NOTE:  Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.
 
 
 Table 6. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: Selected areas, all items index
 
 (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)
 
+
                                                                  Indexes                Percent change to       Percent change to
                   Area                     Pricing                                       Dec. 1997 from-         Nov. 1997 from-
                                           schedule    Sept.   Oct.    Nov.    Dec.    Dec.    Oct.    Nov.    Nov.    Sept.   Oct.
                                              1/       1997    1997    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997
+                                             _
 
 
 
 U.S. city average ......................      M        158.3   158.5   158.5   158.2     1.5    -0.2    -0.2     1.7     0.1     0.0
 
         Region and area size 2/
+                             _
 
 Northeast urban.........................      M        165.6   165.8   165.7   165.5     1.4     -.2     -.1     1.7      .1     -.1
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        165.4   165.5   165.5   165.2     1.6     -.2     -.2     1.8      .1      .0
   Size B -  500,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        163.4   163.5   163.2   163.3      .8     -.1      .1     1.6     -.1     -.2
+                                 _
   Size C -  50,000 to 500,000 3/........      M        168.6   168.9   168.9   168.7     1.4     -.1     -.1     1.7      .2      .0
+                              _
 
 North Central urban ....................      M        153.9   154.0   154.0   153.7     1.2     -.2     -.2     1.5      .1      .0
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        153.9   153.9   153.8   153.6     1.4     -.2     -.1     1.7     -.1     -.1
   Size B -  360,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        152.3   152.7   153.0   151.9      .8     -.5     -.7     1.5      .5      .2
+                                 _
   Size C -  50,000 to 360,000 3/........      M        156.9   156.9   156.5   156.8     1.1     -.1      .2     1.3     -.3     -.3
+                              _
   Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
             (less than 50,000) .........      M        151.5   151.1   151.6   151.0      .5     -.1     -.4     1.0      .1      .3
 
 South urban ............................      M        155.9   156.1   156.2   155.6     1.2     -.3     -.4     1.6      .2      .1
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        154.5   154.7   154.5   154.2     1.2     -.3     -.2     1.6      .0     -.1
   Size B -  450,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        156.6   156.8   157.1   156.8     1.5      .0     -.2     1.7      .3      .2
+                                 _
   Size C -  50,000 to 450,000 3/........      M        156.4   156.9   157.1   155.6      .7     -.8    -1.0     1.6      .4      .1
+                              _
   Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
             (less than 50,000) .........      M        157.7   157.3   157.5   157.5     1.6      .1      .0     1.5     -.1      .1
 
 West urban .............................      M        158.6   159.3   159.2   159.2     2.4     -.1      .0     2.1      .4     -.1
   Size A -  More than 1,250,000 ........      M        157.2   157.9   157.7   157.9     2.7      .0      .1     2.2      .3     -.1
   Size C -  50,000 to 330,000 3/........      M        164.1   164.9   165.6   164.9     2.6      .0     -.4     3.0      .9      .4
+                              _
 
 Size classes
   A 4/ .................................      M        144.4   144.7   144.6   144.4     1.8     -.2     -.1     1.8      .1     -.1
+    _
   B 3/ .................................      M        158.0   158.3   158.4   158.0     1.2     -.2     -.3     1.5      .3      .1
+    _
   C 3/ .................................      M        160.0   160.4   160.5   159.8     1.2     -.4     -.4     1.8      .3      .1
+    _
   D ....................................      M        156.6   156.7   156.9   156.7     1.2      .0     -.1     1.2      .2      .1
 
           Selected local areas
 
 Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI......      M        156.4   156.9   157.2   157.3     1.7      .3      .1     1.8      .5      .2
 Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ......      M        154.7   155.4   154.9   155.3     1.7     -.1      .3     1.3      .1     -.3
 N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT      M        167.7   168.1   168.0   167.7     1.8     -.2     -.2     2.0      .2     -.1
 Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton,
 PA-NJ-DE-MD 5/ .........................      M        167.9   166.8   165.9   165.7     1.3     -.7     -.1     1.2    -1.2     -.5
+            _
 San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA 5/ ..      M        158.6   159.5   159.5   159.4     4.1     -.1     -.1     3.4      .6      .0
+                                   _
 
 Baltimore, MD 6/ .......................      1        155.6    -      154.6    -       -       -       -         .7     -.6    -
+              _
 Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ...........      1        166.2    -      167.8    -       -       -       -        1.5     1.0    -
 Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH .............      1        149.2    -      149.1    -       -       -       -        2.0     -.1    -
 Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ..............      1        156.1    -      157.0    -       -       -       -        1.6      .6    -
 St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL 7/ .....      1        154.0    -      151.9    -       -       -       -         .9    -1.4    -
+                                _
 Washington, DC-MD-VA 6/ ................      1        161.1    -      159.1    -       -       -       -         .3    -1.2    -
+                     _
 
 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX ..................      2         -      152.8    -      152.7     1.7     -.1    -       -       -       -
 Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI ..................      2         -      152.4    -      151.7     1.5     -.5    -       -       -       -
 Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .........      2         -      146.3    -      144.5     1.0    -1.2    -       -       -       -
 Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA 7/ ........      2         -      151.3    -      150.6     1.2     -.5    -       -       -       -
+                             _
 
+
 
    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 1A. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and
       service group
 
       (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)
 
+
                                                                        Annual               Annual           Percent change
                                                                       average              average             from 1996
                                                                         1996                 1997               to 1997
 
+                        Expenditure category
+                        Expenditure category
+                        Expenditure category
 
       All items ...............................................         156.9                160.5                  2.3
       All items (1967=100) ....................................         469.9                480.8                  -
 
         Food and beverages ....................................         153.7                157.7                  2.6
           Food ................................................         153.3                157.3                  2.6
             Food at home ......................................         154.3                158.1                  2.5
               Cereals and bakery products .....................         174.0                177.6                  2.1
               Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ..................         144.8                148.5                  2.6
               Dairy products ..................................         142.1                145.5                  2.4
               Fruits and vegetables 1/ ........................         183.9                187.5                  2.0
+                                    _
               Other food at home ..............................         142.9                147.3                  3.1
                 Sugar and sweets ..............................         143.7                147.8                  2.9
                 Fats and oils .................................         140.5                141.7                   .9
                 Nonalcoholic beverages ........................         128.6                133.4                  3.7
                 Other prepared food ...........................         156.2                161.2                  3.2
             Food away from home ...............................         152.7                157.0                  2.8
           Alcoholic beverages .................................         158.5                162.8                  2.7
 
         Housing 1/ ............................................         152.8                156.8                  2.6
+                _
           Shelter .............................................         171.0                176.3                  3.1
             Renters' costs 2/ 3/ ..............................         180.2                186.4                  3.4
+                           _  _
               Rent, residential ...............................         162.0                166.7                  2.9
               Other renters' costs 3/ .........................         214.7                225.0                  4.8
+                                   _
             Homeowners' costs 2/ 3/ ...........................         176.5                181.5                  2.8
+                              _  _
               Owners' equivalent rent 2/ ......................         176.8                181.9                  2.9
+                                      _
               Household insurance 2/ 3/ .......................         161.0                165.3                  2.7
+                                  _  _
             Maintenance and repairs 3/ ........................         139.0                143.7                  3.4
+                                    _
               Maintenance and repair services 3/ ..............         145.5                151.1                  3.8
+                                              _
               Maintenance and repair commodities 3/ ...........         130.2                133.4                  2.5
+                                                 _
           Fuel and other utilities 1/ .........................         127.5                130.8                  2.6
+                                   _
             Fuels .............................................         115.2                117.9                  2.3
               Fuel oil and other household fuel
                   commodities .................................          99.2                 99.8                   .6
               Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services) ...         122.1                125.1                  2.5
             Other utilities and public services 3/ ............         157.2                161.6                  2.8
+                                                _
           Household furnishings and operation 1/ ..............         124.7                125.4                   .6
+                                              _
             Housefurnishings 3/ ...............................         111.3                110.6                  -.6
+                             _
             Housekeeping supplies .............................         141.1                143.1                  1.4
             Housekeeping services 3/ ..........................         148.0                151.9                  2.6
+                                  _
         Apparel and upkeep ....................................         131.7                132.9                   .9
           Apparel commodities 3/ ..............................         128.2                129.1                   .7
+                              _
             Men's and boys' apparel ...........................         127.7                130.1                  1.9
             Women's and girls' apparel.........................         124.7                126.1                  1.1
             Infants' and toddlers' apparel ....................         129.7                129.0                  -.5
             Footwear ..........................................         126.6                127.6                   .8
             Other apparel commodities 3/ ......................         150.6                145.8                 -3.2
+                                      _
           Apparel services 3/ .................................         159.8                163.1                  2.1
+                           _
 
         Transportation ........................................         143.0                144.3                   .9
           Private transportation ..............................         140.0                141.0                   .7
             New vehicles ......................................         143.7                144.3                   .4
               New cars ........................................         141.4                141.7                   .2
             Used cars .........................................         157.0                151.1                 -3.8
             Motor fuel ........................................         106.3                106.2                  -.1
               Gasoline ........................................         105.9                105.8                  -.1
             Maintenance and repairs ...........................         158.4                162.7                  2.7
             Other private transportation 3/ ...................         173.9                177.5                  2.1
+                                         _
               Other private transportation commodities 3/ .....         105.1                104.8                  -.3
+                                                       _
               Other private transportation services 3/ ........         190.1                194.7                  2.4
+                                                    _
           Public transportation ...............................         181.9                186.7                  2.6
 
         Medical care ..........................................         228.2                234.6                  2.8
           Medical care commodities ............................         210.4                215.3                  2.3
           Medical care services ...............................         232.4                239.1                  2.9
             Professional medical services .....................         208.3                215.4                  3.4
 
         Entertainment 3/ ......................................         159.1                162.5                  2.1
+                      _
           Entertainment commodities 3/ ........................         143.0                144.2                   .8
+                                    _
           Entertainment services 3/ ...........................         178.1                183.8                  3.2
+                                 _
 
         Other goods and services 1/ ...........................         215.4                224.8                  4.4
+                                 _
           Tobacco and smoking products ........................         232.8                243.7                  4.7
           Personal care .......................................         150.1                152.7                  1.7
             Toilet goods and personal care appliances .........         144.3                144.2                  -.1
             Personal care services ............................         156.6                162.4                  3.7
           Personal and educational expenses 3/ ................         247.5                259.7                  4.9
+                                            _
             School books and supplies .........................         226.9                238.4                  5.1
             Personal and educational services 3/ ..............         249.3                261.6                  4.9
+                                              _
 
                      Commodity and service group
 
       All items ...............................................         156.9                160.5                  2.3
         Commodities ...........................................         139.9                141.8                  1.4
           Food and beverages ..................................         153.7                157.7                  2.6
           Commodities less food and beverages .................         131.5                132.2                   .5
             Nondurables less food and beverages ...............         133.0                134.6                  1.2
               Apparel commodities 3/ ..........................         128.2                129.1                   .7
+                                  _
               Nondurables less food, beverages,
                   and apparel .................................         138.6                140.6                  1.4
             Durables ..........................................         129.4                128.7                  -.5
         Services ..............................................         174.1                179.4                  3.0
           Rent of shelter 2/ ..................................         178.0                183.4                  3.0
+                          _
           Household services less rent of shelter 2/ 3/ .......         142.0                145.8                  2.7
+                                                  _  _
           Transportation services .............................         180.5                185.0                  2.5
           Medical care services ...............................         232.4                239.1                  2.9
           Other services ......................................         201.4                209.6                  4.1
 
                            Special indexes
 
       All items less food .....................................         157.5                161.1                  2.3
       All items less shelter ..................................         152.8                155.9                  2.0
       All items less homeowners' costs 2/ 3/ ..................         157.9                161.4                  2.2
+                                       _  _
       All items less medical care .............................         152.8                156.3                  2.3
       Commodities less food ...................................         132.6                133.4                   .6
       Nondurables less food ...................................         134.5                136.3                  1.3
       Nondurables less food and apparel .......................         139.5                141.8                  1.6
       Nondurables .............................................         143.5                146.4                  2.0
       Services less rent of shelter 2/ ........................         182.5                188.1                  3.1
+                                    _
       Services less medical care services .....................         168.7                173.9                  3.1
       Energy ..................................................         110.1                111.5                  1.3
       All items less energy ...................................         163.1                167.1                  2.5
         All items less food and energy ........................         165.6                169.5                  2.4
           Commodities less food and energy commodities ........         141.3                142.3                   .7
             Energy commodities ................................         105.7                105.7                   .0
           Services less energy services .......................         179.4                185.0                  3.1
       Purchasing power of the consumer dollar:
         1982-84=$1.00 .........................................         $.638                $.623                 -2.4
         1967=$1.00 ............................................          .213                 .208                  -
 
+
 
          1/     This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 1998.
+         _
          2/     Indexes on a December 1982=100 base.
+         _
          3/     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.
 
       Table 4A. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: U.S. city average, by expenditure category
       and commodity and service group
 
       (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)
 
+
                                                                        Annual               Annual           Percent change
                                                                       average              average             from 1996
                                                                         1996                 1997               to 1997
 
+                        Expenditure category
+                        Expenditure category
+                        Expenditure category
 
       All items ...............................................         154.1                157.6                  2.3
       All items (1967=100) ....................................         459.1                469.3                  -
 
         Food and beverages ....................................         153.2                157.2                  2.6
           Food ................................................         152.8                156.8                  2.6
             Food at home ......................................         153.5                157.2                  2.4
               Cereals and bakery products .....................         173.6                177.3                  2.1
               Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs ..................         144.5                148.2                  2.6
               Dairy products ..................................         141.9                145.2                  2.3
               Fruits and vegetables 1/ ........................         183.1                186.6                  1.9
+                                    _
               Other food at home ..............................         142.6                146.8                  2.9
                 Sugar and sweets ..............................         143.6                147.7                  2.9
                 Fats and oils .................................         140.3                141.4                   .8
                 Nonalcoholic beverages ........................         128.1                132.3                  3.3
                 Other prepared food ...........................         156.0                161.1                  3.3
             Food away from home ...............................         152.6                157.0                  2.9
           Alcoholic beverages .................................         157.9                162.1                  2.7
 
         Housing 1/ ............................................         149.6                153.4                  2.5
+                _
           Shelter .............................................         166.2                171.2                  3.0
             Renters' costs 2/ 3/ ..............................         157.3                162.4                  3.2
+                           _  _
               Rent, residential ...............................         161.6                166.3                  2.9
               Other renters' costs 3/ .........................         214.6                224.5                  4.6
+                                   _
             Homeowners' costs 2/ 3/ ...........................         160.9                165.5                  2.9
+                              _  _
               Owners' equivalent rent 2/ ......................         161.2                165.8                  2.9
+                                      _
               Household insurance 2/ 3/ .......................         147.1                149.8                  1.8
+                                  _  _
             Maintenance and repairs 3/ ........................         137.6                142.0                  3.2
+                                    _
               Maintenance and repair services 3/ ..............         147.6                152.9                  3.6
+                                              _
               Maintenance and repair commodities 3/ ...........         124.9                128.1                  2.6
+                                                 _
           Fuel and other utilities 1/ .........................         127.2                130.5                  2.6
+                                   _
             Fuels .............................................         114.7                117.3                  2.3
               Fuel oil and other household fuel
                   commodities .................................          99.0                 99.6                   .6
               Gas (piped) and electricity (energy services) ...         121.6                124.6                  2.5
             Other utilities and public services 3/ ............         157.7                162.3                  2.9
+                                                _
           Household furnishings and operation 1/ ..............         123.2                123.9                   .6
+                                              _
             Housefurnishings 3/ ...............................         109.9                109.4                  -.5
+                             _
             Housekeeping supplies .............................         141.5                143.7                  1.6
             Housekeeping services 3/ ..........................         150.9                154.7                  2.5
+                                  _
         Apparel and upkeep ....................................         130.9                132.1                   .9
           Apparel commodities 3/ ..............................         127.6                128.6                   .8
+                              _
             Men's and boys' apparel ...........................         127.4                129.9                  2.0
             Women's and girls' apparel.........................         123.6                124.9                  1.1
             Infants' and toddlers' apparel ....................         130.8                130.1                  -.5
             Footwear ..........................................         127.6                128.5                   .7
             Other apparel commodities 3/ ......................         149.6                145.6                 -2.7
+                                      _
           Apparel services 3/ .................................         159.0                162.2                  2.0
+                           _
 
         Transportation ........................................         142.8                143.6                   .6
           Private transportation ..............................         140.7                141.3                   .4
             New vehicles ......................................         144.7                145.5                   .6
               New cars ........................................         141.1                141.3                   .1
             Used cars .........................................         158.2                152.6                 -3.5
             Motor fuel ........................................         106.3                106.2                  -.1
               Gasoline ........................................         105.9                105.8                  -.1
             Maintenance and repairs ...........................         159.3                163.7                  2.8
             Other private transportation 3/ ...................         169.6                172.9                  1.9
+                                         _
               Other private transportation commodities 3/ .....         104.2                103.9                  -.3
+                                                       _
               Other private transportation services 3/ ........         186.1                190.4                  2.3
+                                                    _
           Public transportation ...............................         179.6                184.2                  2.6
 
         Medical care ..........................................         227.6                234.0                  2.8
           Medical care commodities ............................         207.8                212.6                  2.3
           Medical care services ...............................         232.1                238.8                  2.9
             Professional medical services .....................         209.5                216.7                  3.4
 
         Entertainment 3/ ......................................         156.8                160.0                  2.0
+                      _
           Entertainment commodities 3/ ........................         142.0                143.0                   .7
+                                    _
           Entertainment services 3/ ...........................         178.2                184.1                  3.3
+                                 _
 
         Other goods and services 1/ ...........................         212.2                221.6                  4.4
+                                 _
           Tobacco and smoking products ........................         232.5                243.3                  4.6
           Personal care .......................................         150.1                152.6                  1.7
             Toilet goods and personal care appliances .........         145.0                145.1                   .1
             Personal care services ............................         156.6                162.5                  3.8
           Personal and educational expenses 3/ ................         242.9                255.3                  5.1
+                                            _
             School books and supplies .........................         228.2                240.4                  5.3
             Personal and educational services 3/ ..............         244.4                256.8                  5.1
+                                              _
 
                      Commodity and service group
 
       All items ...............................................         154.1                157.6                  2.3
         Commodities ...........................................         139.9                141.8                  1.4
           Food and beverages ..................................         153.2                157.2                  2.6
           Commodities less food and beverages .................         131.8                132.4                   .5
             Nondurables less food and beverages ...............         132.8                134.5                  1.3
               Apparel commodities 3/ ..........................         127.6                128.6                   .8
+                                  _
               Nondurables less food, beverages,
                   and apparel .................................         138.3                140.4                  1.5
             Durables ..........................................         129.2                128.4                  -.6
         Services ..............................................         171.4                176.5                  3.0
           Rent of shelter 2/ ..................................         159.9                164.7                  3.0
+                          _
           Household services less rent of shelter 2/ 3/ .......         130.5                134.0                  2.7
+                                                  _  _
           Transportation services .............................         178.3                182.6                  2.4
           Medical care services ...............................         232.1                238.8                  2.9
           Other services ......................................         198.1                206.4                  4.2
 
                            Special indexes
 
       All items less food .....................................         154.3                157.6                  2.1
       All items less shelter ..................................         151.0                154.0                  2.0
       All items less homeowners' costs 2/ 3/ ..................         144.8                147.8                  2.1
+                                       _  _
       All items less medical care .............................         150.7                154.0                  2.2
       Commodities less food ...................................         132.8                133.6                   .6
       Nondurables less food ...................................         134.3                136.2                  1.4
       Nondurables less food and apparel .......................         139.3                141.6                  1.7
       Nondurables .............................................         143.3                146.2                  2.0
       Services less rent of shelter 2/ ........................         162.7                167.6                  3.0
+                                    _
       Services less medical care services .....................         166.2                171.2                  3.0
       Energy ..................................................         109.8                111.1                  1.2
       All items less energy ...................................         160.4                164.1                  2.3
         All items less food and energy ........................         162.3                166.0                  2.3
           Commodities less food and energy commodities ........         140.9                141.9                   .7
             Energy commodities ................................         105.9                105.9                   .0
           Services less energy services .......................         176.8                182.2                  3.1
       Purchasing power of the consumer dollar:
         1982-84=$1.00 .........................................         $.649                $.635                 -2.2
         1967=$1.00 ............................................          .218                 .213                  -
 
+
 
          1/     This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 1998.
+         _
          2/     Indexes on a December 1984=100 base.
+         _
          3/     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.