Internet address:  http://stats.bls.gov/newsrels.htm
Technical information:               USDL 99-06
   Household data:  (202) 606-6378
                                     Transmission of material in this
                                     release is embargoed until
   Establishment data:    606-6555   8:30 A.M. (EST),
Media contact:            606-5902   Friday, January 8, 1999.


                 THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION:  DECEMBER 1998


   Employment rose in December and the unemployment rate, at 4.3 percent,
was little changed, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department
of Labor reported today.  Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 378,000.
Growth was spread throughout the service-producing sector, and unusually
mild weather across much of the country contributed to strength in
construction.

Unemployment (Household Survey Data)

   Both the number of unemployed persons, 6.0 million, and the
unemployment rate, 4.3 percent, were little changed in December.  The
jobless rate has remained within a narrow range of 4.3 to 4.5 percent since
April.  (See note below.)  The unemployment rates for the major worker
groups--adult men (3.6 percent), adult women (3.9 percent), teenagers (14.0
percent), whites (3.8 percent), blacks (7.9 percent), and Hispanics (7.6
percent)--showed little or no change in December.  (See tables A-1 and A-2.)
  
   Although essentially unchanged in December, the number of persons
unemployed 15 weeks and over has declined by about 300,000 over the year,
after adjusting for the changes in the composite estimation procedure
introduced last January.  (See table A-6.)

Total Employment and the Labor Force (Household Survey Data)

   Total employment increased by 413,000 in December to 132.5 million,
seasonally adjusted.  The employment-population ratio--the proportion of
the population age 16 and older with jobs--was essentially unchanged at
64.2 percent.  Over the year, employment grew by 2.2 million, after
adjusting for the changes in the composite estimation procedure.  (See
table A-1.)

  ---------------------------------------------------------------------
 |  Seasonally adjusted household data have been revised to            |
 |incorporate updated seasonal adjustment factors that reflect the     |
 |1998 experience; data back to January 1994 are subject to revision.  |
 |The January-December 1998 unemployment rates, as originally published|
 |and as revised, appear on page 5, along with additional information  |
 |on the revisions.                                                    |
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------

                                  - 2 -

Table A.  Major indicators of labor market activity, seasonally adjusted
(Numbers in thousands)
___________________________________________________________________________
                      |   Quarterly     |       Monthly data       |
                      |   averages      |                          |
                      |_________________|__________________________| Nov.-
      Category        |     1998 1/     |          1998 1/         | Dec.
                      |_________________|__________________________|change
                      |   III  |  IV    |  Oct.  |  Nov.  |  Dec.  |
______________________|________|________|________|________|________|_______
    HOUSEHOLD DATA    |                 Labor force status
                      |____________________________________________________
Civilian labor force..| 137,656| 138,285| 138,116| 138,193| 138,547|    354
  Employment..........| 131,419| 132,166| 131,858| 132,113| 132,526|    413
  Unemployment........|   6,237|   6,120|   6,258|   6,080|   6,021|    -59
Not in labor force....|  67,827|  67,813|  67,803|  67,911|  67,723|   -188
                      |________|________|________|________|________|_______
                      |                 Unemployment rates
                      |____________________________________________________
All workers...........|     4.5|     4.4|     4.5|     4.4|     4.3|   -0.1
  Adult men...........|     3.8|     3.6|     3.6|     3.5|     3.6|     .1
  Adult women.........|     4.0|     4.0|     4.0|     4.0|     3.9|    -.1
  Teenagers...........|    14.7|    14.9|    15.7|    15.0|    14.0|   -1.0
  White...............|     3.9|     3.8|     3.9|     3.8|     3.8|     .0
  Black...............|     9.2|     8.4|     8.6|     8.6|     7.9|    -.7
  Hispanic origin.....|     7.3|     7.4|     7.3|     7.3|     7.6|     .3
                      |________|________|________|________|________|_______
 ESTABLISHMENT DATA   |                     Employment
                      |____________________________________________________
Nonfarm employment....| 126,141|p126,820| 126,527|p126,778|p127,156|   p378
  Goods-producing 2/..|  25,210| p25,222|  25,209| p25,184| p25,272|    p88
    Construction......|   5,980|  p6,075|   6,012|  p6,054|  p6,158|   p104
    Manufacturing.....|  18,660| p18,587|  18,633| p18,570| p18,557|   p-13
  Service-producing 2/| 100,931|p101,599| 101,318|p101,594|p101,884|   p290
    Retail trade......|  22,561| p22,650|  22,589| p22,654| p22,707|    p53
    Services..........|  37,691| p38,033|  37,905| p38,041| p38,152|   p111
    Government........|  19,892| p19,986|  19,948| p19,976| p20,035|    p59
                      |________|________|________|________|________|_______
                      |                  Hours of work 3/
                      |____________________________________________________
Total private.........|    34.5|   p34.6|    34.6|   p34.5|   p34.6|   p0.1
  Manufacturing.......|    41.7|   p41.7|    41.7|   p41.6|   p41.8|    p.2
    Overtime..........|     4.6|    p4.5|     4.5|    p4.5|    p4.5|    p.0
                      |________|________|________|________|________|_______
                      |    Indexes of aggregate weekly hours (1982=100) 3/
                      |____________________________________________________
Total private.........|   145.1|  p146.0|   145.8|  p145.7|  p146.5|   p0.8
                      |________|________|________|________|________|_______
                      |                      Earnings 3/
                      |____________________________________________________
Avg. hourly earnings, |        |        |        |        |        |
  total private.......|  $12.84| p$12.94|  $12.90| p$12.93| p$12.98| p$0.05
Avg. weekly earnings, |        |        |        |        |        |
  total private.......|  443.29| p447.18|  446.34| p446.09| p449.11|  p3.02
______________________|________|________|________|________|________|_______
    1/ Beginning in January 1998, household data reflect new composite
estimation procedures and revised population controls.
    2/ Includes other industries, not shown separately.
    3/ Data relate to private production or nonsupervisory workers.
p=preliminary.
NOTE:  Household data have been revised based on the experience through
December 1998.

                                  - 3 -

   The number of persons employed part time for economic reasons (those
who would have preferred full-time work) was 3.4 million in December, about
the same as in the previous month.  The number of such workers declined by
about 330,000 during the past year, after adjusting for changes in the
composite estimation procedure.  (See table A-4.)
   
   Approximately 8.2 million persons (not seasonally adjusted) held more
than one job in December.  These multiple jobholders comprised 6.2 percent
of total employment, the same share as a year earlier.  (See table A-10.)

   Over the month, the civilian labor force rose by 354,000 to 138.5
million, seasonally adjusted.  The labor force participation rate was 67.2
percent, about unchanged from the previous month.  (See table A-1.)
     
Persons Not in the Labor Force (Household Survey Data)

   About 1.2 million persons (not seasonally adjusted) were marginally
attached to the labor force in December.  These were people who wanted and
were available for work and had looked for a job sometime in the prior 12
months but were not counted as unemployed because they had not searched for
work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey.  In December, the number of
marginally attached workers was 257,000 lower than a year earlier.
   
   The number of discouraged workers--a subset of the marginally attached
who were not currently looking for work specifically because they believed
no jobs were available for them--was 358,000 in December, about the same as
a year earlier.  (See table A-10.)

Industry Payroll Employment (Establishment Data)

   Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 378,000 in December to 127.2
million, seasonally adjusted.  Job growth in 1998 totaled 2.9 million, a
2.3 percent increase.  In December, job gains were spread throughout the
service-producing sector, construction employment increased sharply, and
job losses slowed in manufacturing.  (See table B-1.)
     
   The services industry added 111,000 jobs in December, about equal to
the monthly average for the year.  Employment in business services rose by
49,000, led by the largest increase in personnel supply since August.
Nevertheless, growth in personnel supply, which includes temporary help
agencies, slowed substantially in 1998 compared to recent years.  Robust
job growth continued in computer services where employment rose by 13.3
percent for the year.  Engineering and management services employment also
continued its strong growth, increasing by 7.3 percent in 1998.  For the
second straight month, agricultural services benefited from unusually mild
weather.  Employment in health services was little changed in December,
and, over the year, the number of health service jobs grew by only 1.3
percent, half its 1997 rate.  Home health care and nursing homes both lost
jobs in 1998.
   
   Construction employment grew throughout much of 1998 and in December
jumped by 104,000 (after seasonal adjustment).  This robust increase was
due in part to unseasonably warm temperatures in the North and East.
Employment gains were widespread within the industry, with the largest
increases in outside activities such as highway construction, masonry,
roofing, and concrete.
   
   Employment in retail trade rose by 53,000 in December, the second large
increase in a row.  Over the year, retail trade employment increased by
462,000.  In December, eating and drinking places added 33,000 jobs.  A

                                  - 4 -

strong employment build-up for the holiday shopping season in department
stores also contributed to the over-the-month gain in retail trade.  In
contrast, apparel stores and miscellaneous retail establishments did not
hire for the holiday season at the usual pace, resulting in employment
declines after seasonal adjustment both in December and over the September-
December period as a whole.  Reflecting the strength in construction,
employment in building material and garden supply stores had its largest
increase of the year in December (9,000).
   
   Transportation and public utilities employment rose in December by
32,000, the largest over-the-month change for that industry in 1998.
Strong growth in air transportation (13,000), trucking and warehousing
(9,000), and communications (9,000) accounted for most of the increase.
   
   Finance, insurance, and real estate added 28,000 jobs in December,
bringing its over-the-year growth to 273,000 jobs.  Within finance, strong
growth continued in mortgage banking and brokerages, where employment rose
by 4,000 in December and by 19.8 percent over the year.  Security
brokerages also added 4,000 workers in December, offsetting a decline in
the prior month; this industry grew by 7.6 percent in 1998.  Insurance and
real estate both continued their growth trends.
   
   Government employment increased by 59,000 in December, led by gains in
state and local education.  Federal government employment declined by
21,000, seasonally adjusted, due in part to light holiday hiring in
December by the Postal Service and the ending of an early phase of work on
the decennial census.
        
   Manufacturing employment continued to decline, although the loss of
13,000 jobs in December was much smaller than the declines in the prior 2
months.  Since March, the number of factory jobs has fallen by 272,000.
Within durable goods industries, employment in industrial machinery
declined by 10,000 in December, bringing the total losses since March to
54,000.  A decline of 9,000 jobs in motor vehicles manufacturing followed a
small drop in November and left auto employment down 12,000 for the year.
Within nondurable goods industries, employment in food products increased
by 8,000, primarily in the preserved fruits and vegetables industry, which
tends to have volatile month-to-month movements.  Employment in
manufacturing industries related to construction and home purchases
(lumber; furniture; and stone, clay, and glass) grew in December and over
the year.
   
Weekly Hours (Establishment Survey Data)

   The average workweek for production or nonsupervisory workers on
private nonfarm payrolls edged up by 0.1 hour in December to 34.6 hours,
seasonally adjusted.  The manufacturing workweek increased by 0.2 hour to
41.8 hours, while factory overtime was 4.5 hours for the fourth consecutive
month.  (See table B-2.)
   
   The index of aggregate weekly hours of production or nonsupervisory
workers on private nonfarm payrolls rose by 0.5 percent to 146.5
(1982=100), seasonally adjusted.  The manufacturing index increased by 0.3
percent to 107.5.  (See table B-5.)

Hourly and Weekly Earnings (Establishment Survey Data)

   Average hourly earnings of production or nonsupervisory workers on
private nonfarm payrolls rose 5 cents in December to $12.98, seasonally
adjusted; this follows 3 months of smaller gains.  Average weekly earnings
increased 0.7 percent to $449.11.  Over the year, average hourly and weekly
earnings have risen by 3.8 percent and 3.5 percent, respectively.  (See
table B-3.)

                 ________________________________________
                                     
   
   
   The Employment Situation for January 1999 is scheduled to be released
on Friday, February 5, at 8:30 A.M. (EST).

                                  - 5 -   
                                     
           Revision of Seasonally Adjusted Household Survey Data
  
   At the end of each calendar year, BLS routinely updates the seasonal
adjustment factors for the labor force series derived from the Current
Population Survey (also referred to as the household survey) to incorporate
the experience of that year.  This year, seasonally adjusted data for
January 1994-December 1998 are subject to revision.  (Seasonally adjusted
establishment data will be revised in June, concurrent with the
introduction of annual benchmark adjustments.)

   Table B summarizes the effects of the revisions on the overall
unemployment rate since January 1998.  Rates for 5 months were revised, in
each case by plus or minus 0.1 percentage point.  Revised seasonally
adjusted data for major labor force series since December 1997 appear in
table C.
   
   The January 1999 issue of Employment and Earnings will contain the new
seasonal adjustment factors for major series for the January-June 1999
period.  The publication also will contain a description of the current
seasonal adjustment methodology and revised data for the most recent 13
months or quarters for all regularly published tables containing seasonally
adjusted household survey data.  Historical seasonally adjusted monthly and
quarterly data also are available on the Internet.  Internet users can
access these data from the ftp://ftp.bls.gov/pub/special.requests/lf
directory.  Historical data for the household series contained in the "A"
tables of this release also can be accessed at the end of the Employment
Situation news release on the BLS internet site.

  
  
Table B.  Seasonally adjusted unemployment rates and changes due to
revision, January-December 1998
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                        |                 |               |
     Month and year     |     As first    |      As       |  Change
                        |     computed    |    revised    |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
                        |                 |               |
           1998         |                 |               |
                        |                 |               |
January.................|       4.7       |      4.6      |   -0.1
February................|       4.6       |      4.6      |     .0
March...................|       4.7       |      4.7      |     .0
April...................|       4.3       |      4.3      |     .0
May.....................|       4.3       |      4.4      |     .1
June....................|       4.5       |      4.5      |     .0
July....................|       4.5       |      4.5      |     .0
August..................|       4.5       |      4.5      |     .0
September...............|       4.6       |      4.5      |    -.1
October.................|       4.6       |      4.5      |    -.1
November................|       4.4       |      4.4      |     .0
December................|    1/ 4.4       |      4.3      |    -.1
----------------------------------------------------------------------
 1/ Not published.

                                  - 6 -

               Planned Changes in the Household Survey Data

   Effective with the release of data for January 1999, revisions will be
introduced into the population controls used for the household survey.
These revisions primarily reflect new information on immigration and will
result in an upward shift in the estimated total civilian noninstitutional
population 16 years and over for January 1999.  The changes will add
approximately 308,000 to routine population trend growth between December
1998 and January 1999.  The impact will vary for subpopulations such as men
(-183,000), women (+491,000), Hispanic origin (-163,000), and non-Hispanic
origin (+471,000).  The changes and their effect on the estimates of labor
force change and composition will be described in an article slated to
appear in the February 1999 issue of Employment and Earnings.


HOUSEHOLD DATA                                                                                                        HOUSEHOLD DATA

Table C.  Employment status of the civilian population by sex and age

(Numbers in thousands)
                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                    
                               1997                                                1998                                             
Employment status, sex, and                                                                                                         
            age                                                                                                                     
                               Dec.    Jan.    Feb.    Mar.    Apr.    May     June    July    Aug.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec. 
                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                    
           TOTAL                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                    
  Civilian noninstitutional                                                                                                         
     population(1).......... 204,098 204,238 204,400 204,547 204,731 204,899 205,085 205,270 205,479 205,699 205,919 206,104 206,270
    Civilian labor force.... 137,086 137,288 137,384 137,340 137,232 137,369 137,498 137,407 137,481 138,081 138,116 138,193 138,547
          Participation rate    67.2    67.2    67.2    67.1    67.0    67.0    67.0    66.9    66.9    67.1    67.1    67.1    67.2
      Employed.............. 130,638 130,943 131,021 130,908 131,280 131,330 131,253 131,176 131,264 131,818 131,858 132,113 132,526
                                                                                                                                    
     Employment-population                                                                                                          
     ratio..................    64.0    64.1    64.1    64.0    64.1    64.1    64.0    63.9    63.9    64.1    64.0    64.1    64.2
      Unemployed............   6,448   6,345   6,363   6,432   5,952   6,039   6,245   6,231   6,217   6,263   6,258   6,080   6,021
          Unemployment rate.     4.7     4.6     4.6     4.7     4.3     4.4     4.5     4.5     4.5     4.5     4.5     4.4     4.3
                                                                                                                                    
   Men, 20 years and over                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                    
  Civilian noninstitutional                                                                                                         
     population(1)..........  90,339  90,391  90,476  90,502  90,580  90,622  90,700  90,802  90,889  91,003  91,101  91,192  91,220
    Civilian labor force....  69,489  69,547  69,559  69,446  69,616  69,608  69,590  69,738  69,518  69,869  69,913  70,023  70,069
          Participation rate    76.9    76.9    76.9    76.7    76.9    76.8    76.7    76.8    76.5    76.8    76.7    76.8    76.8
      Employed..............  66,636  66,892  66,927  66,769  67,173  67,084  66,994  67,056  66,940  67,262  67,362  67,573  67,553
                                                                                                                                    
     Employment-population                                                                                                          
     ratio..................    73.8    74.0    74.0    73.8    74.2    74.0    73.9    73.8    73.7    73.9    73.9    74.1    74.1
        Agriculture.........   2,314   2,303   2,297   2,194   2,423   2,331   2,337   2,382   2,420   2,402   2,449   2,374   2,237
        Nonagricultural                                                                                                             
     industries.............  64,322  64,589  64,630  64,575  64,750  64,753  64,657  64,674  64,520  64,860  64,913  65,199  65,316
      Unemployed............   2,853   2,655   2,632   2,677   2,443   2,524   2,596   2,682   2,578   2,607   2,551   2,450   2,516
          Unemployment rate.     4.1     3.8     3.8     3.9     3.5     3.6     3.7     3.8     3.7     3.7     3.6     3.5     3.6
                                                                                                                                    
  Women, 20 years and over                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                    
  Civilian noninstitutional                                                                                                         
     population(1)..........  98,300  98,420  98,471  98,534  98,583  98,668  98,735  98,778  98,901  98,994  99,037  99,135  99,181
    Civilian labor force....  59,638  59,583  59,625  59,666  59,539  59,583  59,613  59,465  59,708  59,804  59,826  59,896  60,078
          Participation rate    60.7    60.5    60.6    60.6    60.4    60.4    60.4    60.2    60.4    60.4    60.4    60.4    60.6
      Employed..............  57,165  57,051  57,097  57,136  57,117  57,235  57,190  57,078  57,295  57,426  57,437  57,503  57,745
                                                                                                                                    
     Employment-population                                                                                                          
     ratio..................    58.2    58.0    58.0    58.0    57.9    58.0    57.9    57.8    57.9    58.0    58.0    58.0    58.2
        Agriculture.........     831     805     799     734     726     767     763     781     806     767     771     734     753
        Nonagricultural                                                                                                             
     industries.............  56,334  56,246  56,298  56,402  56,391  56,468  56,427  56,297  56,489  56,659  56,666  56,769  56,992
      Unemployed............   2,473   2,532   2,528   2,530   2,422   2,348   2,423   2,387   2,413   2,378   2,389   2,393   2,333
          Unemployment rate.     4.1     4.2     4.2     4.2     4.1     3.9     4.1     4.0     4.0     4.0     4.0     4.0     3.9
                                                                                                                                    
 Both sexes, 16 to 19 years                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                    
  Civilian  noninstitutional                                                                                                        
     population(1)..........  15,459  15,427  15,453  15,511  15,569  15,609  15,651  15,690  15,689  15,702  15,781  15,777  15,868
    Civilian labor force....   7,959   8,158   8,200   8,228   8,077   8,178   8,295   8,204   8,255   8,408   8,377   8,274   8,400
          Participation rate    51.5    52.9    53.1    53.0    51.9    52.4    53.0    52.3    52.6    53.5    53.1    52.4    52.9
      Employed..............   6,837   7,000   6,997   7,003   6,990   7,011   7,069   7,042   7,029   7,130   7,059   7,037   7,228
                                                                                                                                    
     Employment-population                                                                                                          
     ratio..................    44.2    45.4    45.3    45.1    44.9    44.9    45.2    44.9    44.8    45.4    44.7    44.6    45.5
        Agriculture.........     238     229     249     245     232     253     263     260     266     301     338     240     232
        Nonagricultural                                                                                                             
     industries.............   6,599   6,771   6,748   6,758   6,758   6,758   6,806   6,782   6,763   6,829   6,721   6,797   6,996
      Unemployed............   1,122   1,158   1,203   1,225   1,087   1,167   1,226   1,162   1,226   1,278   1,318   1,237   1,172
          Unemployment rate.    14.1    14.2    14.7    14.9    13.5    14.3    14.8    14.2    14.9    15.2    15.7    15.0    14.0

  1 The population figures are not adjusted for seasonal variation.
   NOTE:  Beginning in January 1998, data reflect new composite estimation procedures and revised population controls used in the
household survey.  Seasonally adjusted data have been revised based on the experience through December 1998.

                                  - 5 -

Explanatory Note


 This news release presents statistics from two major surveys, the Current
Population Survey (household survey) and the Current Employment Statistics
survey (establishment survey).  The household survey provides the
information on the labor force, employment, and unemployment that appears
in the A tables, marked HOUSEHOLD DATA.  It is a sample survey of about
50,000 households  conducted by the Bureau of the Census  for the Bureau of
Labor Statistics (BLS).
 
 The establishment survey provides the information on the employment,
hours, and earnings of workers on nonfarm payrolls that appears in the B
tables, marked ESTABLISHMENT DATA.  This information is collected from
payroll records by BLS in cooperation with State agencies.  In June 1998,
the sample included about 390,000 establishments employing about 48 million
people.
 
 For both surveys, the data for a given month  relate to a particular week
or pay period.  In the household survey,  the reference week is generally
the calendar week that contains the 12th day of the month.  In the
establishment survey, the reference  period is the pay period including the
12th, which may or may not correspond directly to the calendar week.

Coverage, definitions, and differences between surveys
 
 Household survey.  The sample  is selected  to reflect the entire
civilian noninstitutional population.  Based on responses to a series of
questions on work and job search activities, each person  16 years and over
in a sample household is classified as employed, unemployed, or not in the
labor force.
 
 People are classified as employed if they did any work at all as paid
employees during the reference week; worked in their own business,
profession, or on their own farm; or worked without pay at least 15 hours
in a family business or farm.  People are also counted as employed if they
were  temporarily absent from their jobs because of illness, bad weather,
vacation, labor-management disputes, or personal reasons.
 
 People are classified as unemployed if they meet all of the following
criteria:  They had no employment during the  reference week; they were
available for work at that time; and they made specific efforts to find
employment sometime during the 4-week period ending with the reference
week.  Persons laid off from  a job and expecting recall   need not be
looking for work to be counted as unemployed.  The unemployment data
derived from the household survey in no way depend upon the eligibility for
or receipt of unemployment insurance benefits.
 
 The civilian labor force  is the sum of  employed and  unemployed
persons.  Those not classified as employed or unemployed are not in the
labor force.  The unemployment rate is the number unemployed as a percent
of the  labor force.  The labor force participation rate is the labor force
as a percent of the population, and the employment-population ratio is the
employed as a percent of the population.
 
 Establishment survey.  The sample establishments are drawn from private
nonfarm businesses such as factories, offices, and stores, as well as
Federal, State, and local government entities.  Employees on nonfarm
payrolls are those who received pay for any part of the reference pay
period, including persons on paid leave.  Persons are counted in each job
they hold.  Hours and earnings data are for private businesses and relate
only to production workers in the goods-producing sector and nonsupervisory
workers in the service-producing sector.

                                  - 6 -
 
 Differences in employment estimates.  The numerous conceptual and
methodological differences between the household and establishment surveys
result in important distinctions in the employment estimates derived from
the surveys.  Among these are:
 
 --The household survey includes agricultural workers, the self-employed,
unpaid family workers, and private household workers among the employed.
These groups are excluded from the establishment survey.

 --The household survey includes people on unpaid leave among the
employed. The establishment survey does not.
 
 --The household survey is limited to  workers 16 years of age and older.
The establishment survey is not limited by age.
 
 --The  household survey has no duplication of individuals, because
individuals  are counted only once, even if they hold more than one job. In
the establishment survey, employees working at more than one job  and thus
appearing on more than one payroll would be counted separately for each
appearance.
 
 Other differences between the two surveys are described in   "Comparing
Employment Estimates from Household and Payroll Surveys," which may be
obtained from BLS upon request.

Seasonal adjustment
 
 Over the course of a year, the size of the nation's labor force and the
levels of employment and unemployment undergo sharp fluctuations due to
such seasonal events as changes in weather, reduced or expanded production,
harvests, major holidays, and the opening and closing of schools.  The
effect of such seasonal  variation can  be  very large; seasonal
fluctuations may account for as much as 95 percent of the month-to-month
changes in unemployment.
 
 Because these seasonal events follow a more or less regular pattern each
year, their influence on statistical trends can be eliminated by adjusting
the statistics from month to month.  These adjustments make nonseasonal
developments, such as declines in economic activity or increases in the
participation of women in the labor force, easier to spot.  For example,
the large number of youth entering the labor force each June is likely to
obscure any other changes that have taken place relative to May, making it
difficult to determine if the level of economic activity has risen or
declined.  However, because the effect of students finishing school in
previous years is known, the statistics for the current year can be
adjusted to allow for a comparable change.  Insofar as the seasonal
adjustment is made correctly, the adjusted figure provides a more useful
tool with which to analyze changes in economic activity.
 
 In both the household and establishment surveys, most seasonally adjusted
series are independently adjusted.  However, the adjusted series for many
major estimates, such as total payroll employment, employment in most major
industry divisions, total employment, and unemployment are computed by
aggregating independently adjusted component series.  For example, total
unemployment is derived by summing the adjusted series for four major age-
sex components; this differs from the unemployment estimate that would be
obtained by directly adjusting the total or by combining the duration,
reasons, or more detailed age categories.
 
 The numerical factors used to make the seasonal adjustments are
recalculated twice a year.  For the household survey, the factors are
calculated for the January-June period and again for the July-December

                                  - 7 -

period.  For the establishment survey, updated factors for seasonal
adjustment are calculated for the May-October period and introduced along
with new benchmarks, and again for the November-April period.  In both
surveys, revisions to historical data are made once a year.

Reliability of the estimates
 
 Statistics based on the household and establishment surveys are subject
to both sampling and nonsampling error.  When a sample rather than the
entire population is surveyed, there is a chance that the sample estimates
may differ from the "true" population values they represent.  The exact
difference, or sampling error, varies depending on the particular sample
selected, and this variability is measured by the standard error of the
estimate.  There is about a 90-percent chance, or level of confidence, that
an estimate based on a sample will differ by no more than 1.6 standard
errors from the "true" population value because of sampling error.  BLS
analyses are generally conducted at the 90-percent level of confidence.
 
 For example, the confidence interval for the monthly change in total
employment from the household survey is on the order of plus or minus
376,000.  Suppose the estimate of total employment increases by 100,000
from one month to the next.  The 90-percent confidence interval on the
monthly change would range from -276,000 to 476,000 (100,000 +/- 376,000).
These figures do not mean that the sample results are off by these
magnitudes, but rather that there is about a 90-percent chance that the
"true" over-the-month change lies within this interval.  Since this range
includes values of less than zero, we could not say with confidence that
employment had, in fact, increased.  If, however, the reported employment
rise was half a million, then all of the values within the 90-percent
confidence interval would be greater than zero.  In this case, it is likely
(at least a 90-percent chance) that an employment rise had, in fact,
occurred.  The 90-percent confidence interval for the monthly change in
unemployment is +/- 258,000, and for the monthly change in the unemployment
rate it is +/- .21 percentage point.
 
 In general, estimates involving many individuals or establishments have
lower standard errors (relative to the size of the estimate) than estimates
which are based on a small number of observations.  The precision of
estimates is also improved when the data are cumulated over time such as
for quarterly and annual averages.  The seasonal adjustment process can
also improve the stability of the monthly estimates.
 
 The household and establishment surveys are also affected by nonsampling
error.  Nonsampling errors can occur for many reasons, including the
failure to sample a segment of the population, inability to obtain
information for all respondents in the sample, inability or unwillingness
of respondents to provide correct information on a timely basis, mistakes
made by respondents, and errors made in the collection or processing of the
data.
 
 For example, in the establishment survey, estimates for the most recent 2
months are based on substantially incomplete returns; for this reason,
these estimates are labeled preliminary in the tables.  It is only after
two successive revisions to a monthly estimate, when nearly all sample
reports have been received, that the estimate is considered final.
 
 Another major source of nonsampling error in the establishment survey is
the inability to capture, on a timely basis, employment generated by new
firms.  To correct for this systematic underestimation of employment growth
(and other sources of error), a process known as bias adjustment is
included in the survey's estimating procedures, whereby a specified number
of jobs is added to the monthly sample-based change.  The size of the

                                  - 8 -

monthly bias adjustment is based largely on past relationships between the
sample-based estimates of employment and the total counts of employment
described below.
 
 The sample-based estimates from the establishment survey are adjusted
once a year (on a lagged basis) to universe counts of payroll employment
obtained from administrative records of the unemployment insurance program.
The difference between the March sample-based employment estimates and the
March universe counts is known as a benchmark revision, and serves as a
rough proxy for total survey error.  The new benchmarks also incorporate
changes in the classification of industries.  Over the past decade, the
benchmark revision for total nonfarm employment has averaged 0.2 percent,
ranging from zero to 0.6 percent.

Additional statistics and other information
 
 More comprehensive statistics are contained in Employment and Earnings,
published each month by BLS.  It is available for $17.00 per issue or
$35.00 per year from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC
20402.  All orders must be prepaid by sending a check or money order
payable to the Superintendent of Documents, or by charging to Mastercard or
Visa.
 
 Employment and Earnings also provides measures of sampling error for the
household survey data published in this release.  For unemployment and
other labor force categories, these measures appear in tables 1-B through
1-H of its "Explanatory Notes."  Measures of the reliability of the data
drawn from the establishment survey and the actual amounts of revision due
to benchmark adjustments are provided in tables 2-B through 2-G of that
publication.
 
 Information in this release will be made available to sensory impaired
individuals upon request.  Voice phone:  202-606-STAT; TDD phone:
202-606-5897; TDD message referral phone:  1-800-326-2577.
  HOUSEHOLD DATA                                                                                              HOUSEHOLD DATA
  
  Table A-1.  Employment status of the civilian population by sex and age

  (Numbers in thousands)
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                                                     Not seasonally adjusted              Seasonally adjusted(1)            
                                                                                                                            
           Employment status, sex, and age                                                                                  
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                                                       Dec.    Nov.    Dec.    Dec.    Aug.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec. 
                                                       1997    1998    1998    1997    1998    1998    1998    1998    1998 
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                        TOTAL                                                                                               
                                                                                                                            
  Civilian noninstitutional population.............. 204,098 206,104 206,270 204,098 205,479 205,699 205,919 206,104 206,270
    Civilian labor force............................ 136,742 138,288 138,297 137,086 137,481 138,081 138,116 138,193 138,547
          Participation rate........................    67.0    67.1    67.0    67.2    66.9    67.1    67.1    67.1    67.2
      Employed...................................... 130,785 132,577 132,732 130,638 131,264 131,818 131,858 132,113 132,526
          Employment-population ratio...............    64.1    64.3    64.3    64.0    63.9    64.1    64.0    64.1    64.2
        Agriculture.................................   3,103   3,226   2,953   3,383   3,492   3,470   3,558   3,348   3,222
        Nonagricultural industries.................. 127,682 129,351 129,779 127,255 127,772 128,348 128,300 128,765 129,304
      Unemployed....................................   5,957   5,711   5,565   6,448   6,217   6,263   6,258   6,080   6,021
          Unemployment rate.........................     4.4     4.1     4.0     4.7     4.5     4.5     4.5     4.4     4.3
    Not in labor force..............................  67,356  67,816  67,973  67,012  67,998  67,618  67,803  67,911  67,723
                                                                                                                            
                Men, 16 years and over                                                                                      
                                                                                                                            
  Civilian noninstitutional population..............  98,225  99,217  99,309  98,225  98,892  99,006  99,121  99,217  99,309
    Civilian labor force............................  73,153  74,162  74,055  73,562  73,754  74,202  74,189  74,345  74,437
          Participation rate........................    74.5    74.7    74.6    74.9    74.6    74.9    74.8    74.9    75.0
      Employed......................................  69,849  71,256  70,930  70,133  70,503  70,841  70,925  71,182  71,204
          Employment-population ratio...............    71.1    71.8    71.4    71.4    71.3    71.6    71.6    71.7    71.7
      Unemployed....................................   3,304   2,906   3,125   3,429   3,251   3,361   3,264   3,163   3,233
          Unemployment rate.........................     4.5     3.9     4.2     4.7     4.4     4.5     4.4     4.3     4.3
                                                                                                                            
                Men, 20 years and over                                                                                      
                                                                                                                            
  Civilian noninstitutional population..............  90,339  91,192  91,220  90,339  90,889  91,003  91,101  91,192  91,220
    Civilian labor force............................  69,350  70,065  69,949  69,489  69,518  69,869  69,913  70,023  70,069
          Participation rate........................    76.8    76.8    76.7    76.9    76.5    76.8    76.7    76.8    76.8
      Employed......................................  66,524  67,809  67,439  66,636  66,940  67,262  67,362  67,573  67,553
          Employment-population ratio...............    73.6    74.4    73.9    73.8    73.7    73.9    73.9    74.1    74.1
        Agriculture.................................   2,151   2,337   2,076   2,314   2,420   2,402   2,449   2,374   2,237
        Nonagricultural industries..................  64,373  65,472  65,363  64,322  64,520  64,860  64,913  65,199  65,316
      Unemployed....................................   2,826   2,256   2,510   2,853   2,578   2,607   2,551   2,450   2,516
          Unemployment rate.........................     4.1     3.2     3.6     4.1     3.7     3.7     3.6     3.5     3.6
                                                                                                                            
               Women, 16 years and over                                                                                     
                                                                                                                            
  Civilian noninstitutional population.............. 105,873 106,887 106,960 105,873 106,587 106,693 106,798 106,887 106,960
    Civilian labor force............................  63,589  64,126  64,242  63,524  63,727  63,879  63,927  63,848  64,110
          Participation rate........................    60.1    60.0    60.1    60.0    59.8    59.9    59.9    59.7    59.9
      Employed......................................  60,936  61,321  61,801  60,505  60,761  60,977  60,933  60,931  61,322
          Employment-population ratio...............    57.6    57.4    57.8    57.1    57.0    57.2    57.1    57.0    57.3
      Unemployed....................................   2,653   2,805   2,440   3,019   2,966   2,902   2,994   2,917   2,788
          Unemployment rate.........................     4.2     4.4     3.8     4.8     4.7     4.5     4.7     4.6     4.3
                                                                                                                            
               Women, 20 years and over                                                                                     
                                                                                                                            
  Civilian noninstitutional population..............  98,300  99,135  99,181  98,300  98,901  98,994  99,037  99,135  99,181
    Civilian labor force............................  59,834  60,326  60,337  59,638  59,708  59,804  59,826  59,896  60,078
          Participation rate........................    60.9    60.9    60.8    60.7    60.4    60.4    60.4    60.4    60.6
      Employed......................................  57,647  58,024  58,273  57,165  57,295  57,426  57,437  57,503  57,745
          Employment-population ratio...............    58.6    58.5    58.8    58.2    57.9    58.0    58.0    58.0    58.2
        Agriculture.................................     788     709     717     831     806     767     771     734     753
        Nonagricultural industries..................  56,859  57,315  57,556  56,334  56,489  56,659  56,666  56,769  56,992
      Unemployed....................................   2,187   2,302   2,065   2,473   2,413   2,378   2,389   2,393   2,333
          Unemployment rate.........................     3.7     3.8     3.4     4.1     4.0     4.0     4.0     4.0     3.9
                                                                                                                            
              Both sexes, 16 to 19 years                                                                                    
                                                                                                                            
  Civilian  noninstitutional population.............  15,459  15,777  15,868  15,459  15,689  15,702  15,781  15,777  15,868
    Civilian labor force............................   7,558   7,897   8,011   7,959   8,255   8,408   8,377   8,274   8,400
          Participation rate........................    48.9    50.1    50.5    51.5    52.6    53.5    53.1    52.4    52.9
      Employed......................................   6,614   6,744   7,020   6,837   7,029   7,130   7,059   7,037   7,228
          Employment-population ratio...............    42.8    42.7    44.2    44.2    44.8    45.4    44.7    44.6    45.5
        Agriculture.................................     164     180     161     238     266     301     338     240     232
        Nonagricultural industries..................   6,450   6,564   6,860   6,599   6,763   6,829   6,721   6,797   6,996
      Unemployed....................................     944   1,153     990   1,122   1,226   1,278   1,318   1,237   1,172
          Unemployment rate.........................    12.5    14.6    12.4    14.1    14.9    15.2    15.7    15.0    14.0

    1 The population figures are not adjusted for seasonal variation; therefore, identical numbers appear in the unadjusted
  and seasonally adjusted columns.
     NOTE: Beginning in January 1998, data reflect new composite estimation procedures and revised population controls used
  in the household survey.  Seasonally adjusted data have been revised based on the experience through December 1998.






  HOUSEHOLD DATA                                                                                              HOUSEHOLD DATA
  
  Table A-2.  Employment status of the civilian population by race, sex, age, and Hispanic origin

  (Numbers in thousands)
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                                                     Not seasonally adjusted              Seasonally adjusted(1)            
                                                                                                                            
        Employment status, race, sex, age, and                                                                              
                   Hispanic origin                                                                                          
                                                                                                                            
                                                       Dec.    Nov.    Dec.    Dec.    Aug.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec. 
                                                       1997    1998    1998    1997    1998    1998    1998    1998    1998 
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                        WHITE                                                                                               
  Civilian noninstitutional population.............. 170,649 172,084 172,197 170,649 171,655 171,804 171,956 172,084 172,197
    Civilian labor force............................ 114,867 115,804 115,796 115,118 115,385 115,751 115,714 115,687 115,996
        Participation rate..........................    67.3    67.3    67.2    67.5    67.2    67.4    67.3    67.2    67.4
      Employed...................................... 110,662 111,692 111,647 110,612 110,848 111,221 111,162 111,304 111,560
        Employment-population ratio.................    64.8    64.9    64.8    64.8    64.6    64.7    64.6    64.7    64.8
      Unemployed....................................   4,205   4,112   4,149   4,506   4,537   4,530   4,552   4,383   4,436
        Unemployment rate...........................     3.7     3.6     3.6     3.9     3.9     3.9     3.9     3.8     3.8
                                                                                                                            
                Men, 20 years and over                                                                                      
    Civilian labor force............................  59,253  59,707  59,662  59,313  59,384  59,587  59,579  59,634  59,712
        Participation rate..........................    77.3    77.3    77.2    77.4    77.1    77.3    77.2    77.2    77.2
      Employed......................................  57,162  58,041  57,725  57,246  57,450  57,615  57,646  57,806  57,813
        Employment-population ratio.................    74.6    75.1    74.7    74.7    74.6    74.7    74.7    74.8    74.8
      Unemployed....................................   2,091   1,666   1,937   2,067   1,934   1,972   1,933   1,828   1,899
        Unemployment rate...........................     3.5     2.8     3.2     3.5     3.3     3.3     3.2     3.1     3.2
                                                                                                                            
               Women, 20 years and over                                                                                     
    Civilian labor force............................  49,233  49,468  49,429  49,078  49,025  49,108  49,062  49,065  49,230
        Participation rate..........................    60.2    60.1    60.0    60.0    59.7    59.8    59.7    59.6    59.8
      Employed......................................  47,726  47,863  47,960  47,387  47,321  47,456  47,401  47,415  47,585
        Employment-population ratio.................    58.4    58.2    58.3    58.0    57.6    57.7    57.6    57.6    57.8
      Unemployed....................................   1,507   1,605   1,469   1,691   1,704   1,652   1,661   1,650   1,645
        Unemployment rate...........................     3.1     3.2     3.0     3.4     3.5     3.4     3.4     3.4     3.3
                                                                                                                            
              Both sexes, 16 to 19 years                                                                                    
    Civilian labor force............................   6,380   6,629   6,705   6,727   6,976   7,056   7,073   6,988   7,054
        Participation rate..........................    52.1    52.8    53.4    54.9    55.8    56.4    56.4    55.7    56.1
      Employed......................................   5,773   5,789   5,962   5,979   6,077   6,150   6,115   6,083   6,162
        Employment-population ratio.................    47.1    46.1    47.4    48.8    48.6    49.1    48.8    48.5    49.0
      Unemployed....................................     607     840     743     748     899     906     958     905     892
        Unemployment rate...........................     9.5    12.7    11.1    11.1    12.9    12.8    13.5    13.0    12.6
          Men.......................................     9.9    13.6    13.2    11.3    14.2    14.7    14.1    14.1    14.5
          Women.....................................     9.1    11.6     8.8    10.9    11.5    10.8    13.0    11.6    10.6
                                                                                                                            
                        BLACK                                                                                               
  Civilian noninstitutional population..............  24,180  24,529  24,561  24,180  24,418  24,458  24,496  24,529  24,561
    Civilian labor force............................  15,685  16,214  16,136  15,733  15,937  16,027  16,163  16,201  16,157
        Participation rate..........................    64.9    66.1    65.7    65.1    65.3    65.5    66.0    66.0    65.8
      Employed......................................  14,248  14,900  14,993  14,147  14,517  14,584  14,776  14,804  14,884
        Employment-population ratio.................    58.9    60.7    61.0    58.5    59.5    59.6    60.3    60.4    60.6
      Unemployed....................................   1,437   1,315   1,143   1,586   1,420   1,443   1,387   1,397   1,273
        Unemployment rate...........................     9.2     8.1     7.1    10.1     8.9     9.0     8.6     8.6     7.9
                                                                                                                            
                Men, 20 years and over                                                                                      
    Civilian labor force............................   6,945   7,133   7,047   6,966   7,021   6,999   7,144   7,086   7,063
        Participation rate..........................    71.9    72.8    71.9    72.1    72.1    71.7    73.1    72.4    72.0
      Employed......................................   6,374   6,662   6,592   6,366   6,487   6,499   6,653   6,590   6,588
        Employment-population ratio.................    66.0    68.0    67.2    65.9    66.6    66.6    68.0    67.3    67.2
      Unemployed....................................     571     471     455     600     534     500     491     496     475
        Unemployment rate...........................     8.2     6.6     6.5     8.6     7.6     7.1     6.9     7.0     6.7
                                                                                                                            
               Women, 20 years and over                                                                                     
    Civilian labor force............................   7,840   8,071   8,089   7,804   7,903   7,948   7,992   8,051   8,035
        Participation rate..........................    64.8    65.7    65.8    64.5    64.7    64.9    65.2    65.6    65.4
      Employed......................................   7,273   7,501   7,600   7,157   7,302   7,320   7,391   7,443   7,474
        Employment-population ratio.................    60.1    61.1    61.8    59.1    59.7    59.8    60.3    60.6    60.8
      Unemployed....................................     567     570     490     647     601     628     601     608     561
        Unemployment rate...........................     7.2     7.1     6.1     8.3     7.6     7.9     7.5     7.6     7.0
                                                                                                                            
              Both sexes, 16 to 19 years                                                                                    
    Civilian labor force............................     900   1,010     999     963   1,013   1,080   1,027   1,064   1,059
        Participation rate..........................    37.3    41.1    40.6    39.9    41.3    44.0    41.8    43.3    43.0
      Employed......................................     601     737     801     624     728     765     732     771     822
        Employment-population ratio.................    24.9    30.0    32.6    25.8    29.7    31.1    29.8    31.4    33.4
      Unemployed....................................     299     274     198     339     285     315     295     293     237
        Unemployment rate...........................    33.3    27.1    19.8    35.2    28.1    29.2    28.7    27.5    22.4
          Men.......................................    35.8    32.1    25.7    36.7    29.7    32.7    34.7    33.0    27.3
          Women.....................................    31.4    22.2    14.4    34.0    26.8    25.7    23.5    22.1    17.6
                   HISPANIC ORIGIN                                                                                          
  Civilian noninstitutional population..............  20,629  21,349  21,405  20,629  21,159  21,224  21,286  21,349  21,405
    Civilian labor force............................  13,986  14,384  14,485  13,985  14,316  14,457  14,437  14,389  14,488
        Participation rate..........................    67.8    67.4    67.7    67.8    67.7    68.1    67.8    67.4    67.7
      Employed......................................  12,998  13,425  13,398  12,977  13,257  13,394  13,382  13,345  13,383
        Employment-population ratio.................    63.0    62.9    62.6    62.9    62.7    63.1    62.9    62.5    62.5
      Unemployed....................................     987     960   1,087   1,008   1,059   1,063   1,055   1,044   1,105
        Unemployment rate...........................     7.1     6.7     7.5     7.2     7.4     7.4     7.3     7.3     7.6

    1 The population figures are not adjusted for seasonal variation; therefore, identical numbers appear in the unadjusted
  and seasonally adjusted columns.
      NOTE: Detail for the above race and Hispanic-origin groups will not sum to totals because data for the "other races"
  group are not presented and Hispanics are included in both the white and black population groups.  Beginning in January
  1998, data reflect new composite estimation procedures and revised population controls used in the household survey. 
  Seasonally adjusted data have been revised based on the experience through December 1998.






  HOUSEHOLD DATA                                                                                               HOUSEHOLD DATA
  
  Table A-3. Employment status of the civilian population 25 years and over by educational attainment, seasonally adjusted

  (Numbers in thousands)
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
                                               Not seasonally adjusted                  Seasonally adjusted(1)               
                                                                                                                             
            Educational attainment                                                                                           
                                                                                                                             
                                               Dec.     Nov.     Dec.     Dec.     Aug.     Sept.    Oct.     Nov.     Dec.  
                                               1997     1998     1998     1997     1998     1998     1998     1998     1998  
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
       Less than a high school diploma                                                                                       
                                                                                                                             
  Civilian noninstitutional population......   29,566   29,084   29,094   29,566   29,204   29,290   28,713   29,084   29,094
    Civilian labor force....................   12,560   12,410   12,509   12,555   12,496   12,563   12,408   12,463   12,500
        Percent of population...............     42.5     42.7     43.0     42.5     42.8     42.9     43.2     42.9     43.0
      Employed..............................   11,599   11,548   11,609   11,619   11,612   11,692   11,556   11,574   11,626
        Employment-population ratio.........     39.2     39.7     39.9     39.3     39.8     39.9     40.2     39.8     40.0
      Unemployed............................      962      862      900      936      884      871      852      889      874
        Unemployment rate...................      7.7      6.9      7.2      7.5      7.1      6.9      6.9      7.1      7.0
                                                                                                                             
    High school graduates, no college (2)                                                                                    
                                                                                                                             
  Civilian noninstitutional population......   57,631   57,273   57,115   57,631   57,729   57,589   57,666   57,273   57,115
    Civilian labor force....................   37,940   37,560   37,442   37,805   37,367   37,289   37,540   37,408   37,296
        Percent of population...............     65.8     65.6     65.6     65.6     64.7     64.8     65.1     65.3     65.3
      Employed..............................   36,444   36,159   36,066   36,255   35,883   35,783   36,056   35,947   35,873
        Employment-population ratio.........     63.2     63.1     63.1     62.9     62.2     62.1     62.5     62.8     62.8
      Unemployed............................    1,497    1,400    1,376    1,550    1,484    1,506    1,484    1,461    1,423
        Unemployment rate...................      3.9      3.7      3.7      4.1      4.0      4.0      4.0      3.9      3.8
                                                                                                                             
       Less than a bachelor's degree(3)                                                                                      
                                                                                                                             
  Civilian noninstitutional population......   42,085   42,863   43,022   42,085   41,842   41,769   42,573   42,863   43,022
    Civilian labor force....................   31,440   32,126   31,933   31,357   31,117   31,271   31,349   31,727   31,800
        Percent of population...............     74.7     75.0     74.2     74.5     74.4     74.9     73.6     74.0     73.9
      Employed..............................   30,464   31,280   31,080   30,335   30,231   30,343   30,423   30,825   30,911
        Employment-population ratio.........     72.4     73.0     72.2     72.1     72.3     72.6     71.5     71.9     71.8
      Unemployed............................      976      846      853    1,022      886      928      926      902      889
        Unemployment rate...................      3.1      2.6      2.7      3.3      2.8      3.0      3.0      2.8      2.8
                                                                                                                             
              College graduates                                                                                              
                                                                                                                             
  Civilian noninstitutional population......   41,822   43,408   43,484   41,822   43,431   43,669   43,520   43,408   43,484
    Civilian labor force....................   33,739   34,775   34,889   33,683   34,739   34,914   34,779   34,554   34,838
        Percent of population...............     80.7     80.1     80.2     80.5     80.0     80.0     79.9     79.6     80.1
      Employed..............................   33,204   34,180   34,323   33,086   34,129   34,335   34,108   33,922   34,205
        Employment-population ratio.........     79.4     78.7     78.9     79.1     78.6     78.6     78.4     78.1     78.7
      Unemployed............................      535      594      566      597      610      579      671      632      633
        Unemployment rate...................      1.6      1.7      1.6      1.8      1.8      1.7      1.9      1.8      1.8

    1 The population figures are not adjusted for seasonal variation, therefore, identical numbers appear in the unadjusted
  and seasonally adjusted columns.
    2 Includes high school diploma or equivalent.
    3 Includes the categories, some college, no degree; and associate degree.
     NOTE:  Beginning in January 1998, data reflect new composite estimation procedures and revised population controls used
  in the household survey.  Seasonally adjusted data have been revised based on the experience through December 1998.






  HOUSEHOLD DATA                                                                                              HOUSEHOLD DATA
  
  Table A-4. Selected employment indicators

  (In thousands)
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                                                     Not seasonally adjusted               Seasonally adjusted              
                                                                                                                            
                       Category                                                                                             
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                                                       Dec.    Nov.    Dec.    Dec.    Aug.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec. 
                                                       1997    1998    1998    1997    1998    1998    1998    1998    1998 
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                    CHARACTERISTIC                                                                                          
                                                                                                                            
  Total employed, 16 years and over................. 130,785 132,577 132,732 130,638 131,264 131,818 131,858 132,113 132,526
    Married men, spouse present.....................  43,049  43,483  43,426  42,879  42,874  43,170  43,090  43,209  43,227
    Married women, spouse present...................  33,285  33,264  33,502  32,899  32,670  32,891  33,037  32,953  33,093
    Women who maintain families.....................   7,706   7,956   8,011   7,788   7,928   7,984   7,940   7,969   8,087
                                                                                                                            
                      OCCUPATION                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
    Managerial and professional specialty...........  38,416  39,779  40,007  38,159  38,942  39,553  39,679  39,459  39,729
    Technical, sales, and administrative support....  38,791  38,567  38,517  38,570  38,843  38,478  38,431  38,430  38,307
    Service occupations.............................  17,738  18,065  17,873  17,847  17,770  17,926  17,692  18,024  17,976
    Precision production, craft, and repair.........  14,213  14,478  14,586  14,309  14,158  14,045  14,192  14,552  14,685
    Operators, fabricators, and laborers............  18,495  18,276  18,702  18,302  17,968  18,118  18,168  18,067  18,480
    Farming, forestry, and fishing..................   3,132   3,413   3,046   3,484   3,590   3,585   3,604   3,538   3,396
                                                                                                                            
                   CLASS OF WORKER                                                                                          
                                                                                                                            
    Agriculture:                                                                                                            
      Wage and salary workers.......................   1,653   1,884   1,683   1,870   2,111   2,145   2,247   2,005   1,912
      Self-employed workers.........................   1,405   1,301   1,241   1,479   1,342   1,290   1,282   1,304   1,304
      Unpaid family workers.........................      45      41      29      53      31      40      33      40      34
    Nonagricultural industries:                                                                                             
      Wage and salary workers....................... 118,728 120,296 120,917 118,255 118,840 119,148 119,275 119,718 120,380
        Government..................................  18,382  18,861  18,902  18,200  18,332  18,448  18,547  18,607  18,686
        Private industries.......................... 100,346 101,435 102,015 100,055 100,508 100,700 100,728 101,111 101,694
          Private households........................     980     967     962     960     871     918     946     969     943
          Other industries..........................  99,366 100,467 101,053  99,095  99,637  99,782  99,782 100,142 100,751
      Self-employed workers.........................   8,859   8,951   8,745   8,918   8,955   9,096   9,030   8,929   8,814
      Unpaid family workers.........................      96     104     117     101      88      88      95     112     122
                                                                                                                            
              PERSONS AT WORK PART TIME                                                                                     
                                                                                                                            
    All industries:                                                                                                         
      Part time for economic reasons................   3,869   3,159   3,455   3,836   3,503   3,419   3,404   3,340   3,417
        Slack work or business conditions...........   2,323   1,816   2,005   2,237   2,019   1,913   2,031   1,910   1,927
        Could only find part-time work..............   1,240   1,095   1,088   1,309   1,188   1,168   1,136   1,157   1,148
      Part time for noneconomic reasons.............  19,557  19,814  19,770  18,487  18,653  18,687  18,667  18,634  18,674
                                                                                                                            
    Nonagricultural industries:                                                                                             
      Part time for economic reasons................   3,644   3,018   3,242   3,663   3,339   3,191   3,253   3,191   3,257
        Slack work or business conditions...........   2,188   1,737   1,901   2,122   1,926   1,800   1,927   1,824   1,841
        Could only find part-time work..............   1,216   1,073   1,057   1,283   1,155   1,132   1,110   1,130   1,116
      Part time for noneconomic reasons.............  18,946  19,305  19,270  17,864  18,031  18,161  18,107  18,110  18,155

      NOTE: Persons at work excludes employed persons who were absent from their jobs during the entire reference week for
  reasons such as vacation, illness, or industrial dispute.  Part time for noneconomic reasons excludes persons who usually
  work full time but worked only 1 to 34 hours during the reference week for reasons such as holidays, illness, and bad
  weather.  Beginning in January 1998, data reflect new composite estimation procedures and revised population controls used
  in the household survey.  Seasonally adjusted data have been revised based on the experience through December 1998.






  HOUSEHOLD DATA                                                                                              HOUSEHOLD DATA
  
  Table A-5. Selected unemployment indicators, seasonally adjusted
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                                                            Number of                                                       
                                                        unemployed persons                Unemployment rates(1)             
                                                          (in thousands)                                                    
                       Category                                                                                             
                                                                                                                            
                                                       Dec.    Nov.    Dec.    Dec.    Aug.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec. 
                                                       1997    1998    1998    1997    1998    1998    1998    1998    1998 
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                    CHARACTERISTIC                                                                                          
                                                                                                                            
   Total, 16 years and over.........................   6,448   6,080   6,021    4.7     4.5     4.5     4.5     4.4     4.3 
     Men, 20 years and over.........................   2,853   2,450   2,516    4.1     3.7     3.7     3.6     3.5     3.6 
     Women, 20 years and over.......................   2,473   2,393   2,333    4.1     4.0     4.0     4.0     4.0     3.9 
     Both sexes, 16 to 19 years.....................   1,122   1,237   1,172   14.1    14.9    15.2    15.7    15.0    14.0 
                                                                                                                            
     Married men, spouse present....................   1,125     992   1,015    2.6     2.3     2.3     2.3     2.2     2.3 
     Married women, spouse present..................     983     987     942    2.9     3.1     2.7     2.8     2.9     2.8 
     Women who maintain families....................     663     592     547    7.8     6.8     7.6     6.9     6.9     6.3 
                                                                                                                            
     Full-time workers..............................   5,196   4,736   4,781    4.6     4.4     4.3     4.3     4.2     4.2 
     Part-time workers..............................   1,262   1,340   1,263    5.1     5.3     5.3     5.5     5.4     5.2 
                                                                                                                            
                    OCCUPATION(2)                                                                                           
                                                                                                                            
     Managerial and professional specialty..........     737     712     728    1.9     1.9     1.8     1.9     1.8     1.8 
     Technical, sales, and administrative support...   1,604   1,482   1,473    4.0     3.7     3.9     3.9     3.7     3.7 
     Precision production, craft, and repair........     700     580     491    4.7     4.5     4.3     4.0     3.8     3.2 
     Operators, fabricators, and laborers...........   1,340   1,295   1,318    6.8     6.6     7.0     6.8     6.7     6.7 
     Farming, forestry, and fishing.................     258     237     276    6.9     5.9     7.0     5.4     6.3     7.5 
                                                                                                                            
                       INDUSTRY                                                                                             
                                                                                                                            
     Nonagricultural private wage and salary workers   5,036   4,764   4,727    4.8     4.7     4.8     4.6     4.5     4.4 
       Goods-producing industries...................   1,468   1,307   1,322    5.1     4.8     5.1     4.6     4.6     4.6 
         Mining.....................................      17      13      24    2.6     3.6     3.0     2.4     2.2     4.3 
         Construction...............................     647     503     469    9.3     7.4     8.6     6.7     7.0     6.4 
         Manufacturing..............................     804     791     829    3.8     3.9     4.0     3.9     3.8     4.0 
           Durable goods............................     396     392     423    3.1     3.5     3.7     3.2     3.2     3.4 
           Nondurable goods.........................     408     399     406    4.8     4.5     4.6     5.1     4.8     4.9 
       Service-producing industries.................   3,568   3,457   3,405    4.7     4.7     4.6     4.7     4.5     4.4 
         Transportation and public utilities........     254     246     246    3.3     3.5     3.5     3.5     3.2     3.2 
         Wholesale and retail trade.................   1,534   1,406   1,519    5.8     5.6     5.7     5.6     5.2     5.5 
         Finance, insurance, and real estate........     208     230     232    2.7     2.7     2.4     2.5     2.8     2.8 
         Services...................................   1,572   1,575   1,408    4.6     4.7     4.5     4.7     4.6     4.1 
     Government workers.............................     399     394     389    2.1     2.2     2.2     2.2     2.1     2.0 
     Agricultural wage and salary workers...........     193     165     172    9.4     7.4     7.9     6.7     7.6     8.3 

    1 Unemployment as a percent of the civilian labor force.
    2 Seasonally adjusted unemployment data for service occupations are not available because the seasonal component, which
  is small relative to the trend-cycle and irregular components, cannot be separated with sufficient precision.
     NOTE: Beginning in January 1998, data reflect new composite estimation procedures and revised population controls used
  in the household survey.  Data have been revised based on the experience through December 1998.






  HOUSEHOLD DATA                                                                                              HOUSEHOLD DATA
  
  Table A-6. Duration of unemployment

  (Numbers in thousands)
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                                                     Not seasonally adjusted               Seasonally adjusted              
                                                                                                                            
                       Duration                                                                                             
                                                                                                                            
                                                       Dec.    Nov.    Dec.    Dec.    Aug.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec. 
                                                       1997    1998    1998    1997    1998    1998    1998    1998    1998 
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                 NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED                                                                                       
                                                                                                                            
   Less than 5 weeks................................   2,243   2,325   2,299   2,558   2,652   2,638   2,754   2,546   2,614
   5 to 14 weeks....................................   1,949   1,930   1,817   1,962   1,956   1,968   1,896   1,983   1,839
   15 weeks and over................................   1,765   1,456   1,449   1,926   1,644   1,636   1,598   1,611   1,578
      15 to 26 weeks................................     832     649     680     921     810     732     732     752     754
      27 weeks and over.............................     933     807     769   1,005     834     904     866     859     824
                                                                                                                            
   Average (mean) duration, in weeks................    16.0    14.3    14.1    16.0    13.7    14.3    14.1    14.4    14.1
   Median duration, in weeks........................     7.4     6.4     6.7     7.4     6.8     6.6     5.9     6.7     6.7
                                                                                                                            
                 PERCENT DISTRIBUTION                                                                                       
                                                                                                                            
   Total unemployed.................................   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0
     Less than 5 weeks..............................    37.7    40.7    41.3    39.7    42.4    42.3    44.1    41.5    43.3
     5 to 14 weeks..................................    32.7    33.8    32.7    30.4    31.3    31.5    30.3    32.3    30.5
     15 weeks and over..............................    29.6    25.5    26.0    29.9    26.3    26.2    25.6    26.2    26.2
       15 to 26 weeks...............................    14.0    11.4    12.2    14.3    13.0    11.7    11.7    12.2    12.5
       27 weeks and over............................    15.7    14.1    13.8    15.6    13.3    14.5    13.9    14.0    13.7

     NOTE: Beginning in January 1998, data reflect new composite estimation procedures and revised population controls used
  in the household survey.  Seasonally adjusted data have been revised based on the experience through December 1998.






  HOUSEHOLD DATA                                                                                              HOUSEHOLD DATA
  
  Table A-7. Reason for unemployment

  (Numbers in thousands)
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                                                     Not seasonally adjusted               Seasonally adjusted              
                                                                                                                            
                        Reason                                                                                              
                                                                                                                            
                                                       Dec.    Nov.    Dec.    Dec.    Aug.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec. 
                                                       1997    1998    1998    1997    1998    1998    1998    1998    1998 
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                 NUMBER OF UNEMPLOYED                                                                                       
                                                                                                                            
  Job losers and persons who completed temporary                                                                            
     jobs...........................................   3,051   2,587   2,849   2,966   2,834   2,865   2,813   2,758   2,754
    On temporary layoff.............................   1,053     739     934     955     937     909     857     850     841
    Not on temporary layoff.........................   1,998   1,848   1,915   2,011   1,897   1,956   1,956   1,908   1,913
      Permanent job losers..........................   1,355   1,217   1,382   (1)     (1)     (1)     (1)     (1)     (1)  
      Persons who completed temporary jobs..........     643     631     533   (1)     (1)     (1)     (1)     (1)     (1)  
  Job leavers.......................................     634     651     628     715     734     727     730     677     709
  Reentrants........................................   1,849   2,027   1,706   2,193   2,124   2,161   2,142   2,130   2,031
  New entrants......................................     423     446     381     549     507     501     577     534     504
                                                                                                                            
                 PERCENT DISTRIBUTION                                                                                       
                                                                                                                            
  Total unemployed..................................   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0   100.0
   Job losers and persons who completed temporary                                                                           
     jobs...........................................    51.2    45.3    51.2    46.2    45.7    45.8    44.9    45.2    45.9
     On temporary layoff............................    17.7    12.9    16.8    14.9    15.1    14.5    13.7    13.9    14.0
     Not on temporary layoff........................    33.5    32.4    34.4    31.3    30.6    31.3    31.2    31.3    31.9
   Job leavers......................................    10.6    11.4    11.3    11.1    11.8    11.6    11.7    11.1    11.8
   Reentrants.......................................    31.0    35.5    30.6    34.1    34.3    34.6    34.2    34.9    33.9
   New entrants.....................................     7.1     7.8     6.9     8.5     8.2     8.0     9.2     8.8     8.4
                                                                                                                            
            UNEMPLOYED AS A PERCENT OF THE                                                                                  
                   CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE                                                                                     
                                                                                                                            
   Job losers and persons who completed temporary                                                                           
     jobs...........................................     2.2     1.9     2.1     2.2     2.1     2.1     2.0     2.0     2.0
   Job leavers......................................      .5      .5      .5      .5      .5      .5      .5      .5      .5
   Reentrants.......................................     1.4     1.5     1.2     1.6     1.5     1.6     1.6     1.5     1.5
   New entrants.....................................      .3      .3      .3      .4      .4      .4      .4      .4      .4

    1 Not available.
     NOTE: Beginning in January 1998, data reflect new composite estimation procedures and revised population controls used
  in the household survey.  Seasonally adjusted data have been revised based on the experience through December 1998.






  HOUSEHOLD DATA                                                                                               HOUSEHOLD DATA
  
  Table A-8. Range of alternative measures of labor underutilization

  (Percent)
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
                                                                  Not seasonally               Seasonally adjusted           
                                                                     adjusted                                                
                            Measure                                                                                          
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
                                                                Dec.   Nov.   Dec.   Dec.   Aug.   Sept.  Oct.   Nov.   Dec. 
                                                                1997   1998   1998   1997   1998   1998   1998   1998   1998 
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
  U-1 Persons unemployed 15 weeks or longer, as a percent of                                                                 
     the civilian                                                                                                            
     labor force..............................................    1.3    1.1    1.0    1.4    1.2    1.2    1.2    1.2    1.1
                                                                                                                             
  U-2 Job losers and persons who completed temporary jobs, as                                                                
     a percent of the                                                                                                        
     civilian labor force.....................................    2.2    1.9    2.1    2.2    2.1    2.1    2.0    2.0    2.0
                                                                                                                             
  U-3 Total unemployed, as a percent of the civilian labor                                                                   
     force                                                                                                                   
     (official unemployment rate).............................    4.4    4.1    4.0    4.7    4.5    4.5    4.5    4.4    4.3
                                                                                                                             
  U-4 Total unemployed plus discouraged workers, as a percent                                                                
     of the civilian                                                                                                         
      labor force plus discouraged workers....................    4.6    4.3    4.3   (1)    (1)    (1)    (1)    (1)    (1) 
                                                                                                                             
  U-5 Total unemployed, plus discouraged workers, plus all                                                                   
     other marginally                                                                                                        
      attached workers, as a percent of the civilian labor                                                                   
     force plus all marginally                                                                                               
      attached workers........................................    5.4    5.0    4.8   (1)    (1)    (1)    (1)    (1)    (1) 
                                                                                                                             
  U-6 Total unemployed, plus all marginally attached workers,                                                                
     plus total employed                                                                                                     
      part time for economic reasons, as a percent of the                                                                    
     civilian labor force plus                                                                                               
      all marginally attached workers.........................    8.2    7.2    7.3   (1)    (1)    (1)    (1)    (1)    (1) 

    1 Not available.
      NOTE: This range of alternative measures of labor underutilization replaces the U1-U7 range published in table A-7 of
  this release prior to 1994.  Marginally attached workers are persons who currently are neither working nor looking for work
  but indicate that they want and are available for a job and have looked for work sometime in the recent past.  Discouraged
  workers, a subset of the marginally attached, have given a job-market related reason for not currently looking for a job. 
  Persons employed part time for economic reasons are those who want and are available for full-time work but have had to
  settle for a part-time schedule.  For further information, see "BLS introduces new range of alternative unemployment
  measures,"  in the October 1995 issue of the Monthly Labor Review.  Beginning in January 1998, data reflect new composite
  estimation procedures and revised population controls used in the household survey.  Seasonally adjusted data have been
  revised based on the experience through December 1998.






  HOUSEHOLD DATA                                                                                              HOUSEHOLD DATA
  
  Table A-9. Unemployed persons by sex and age, seasonally adjusted
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                                                            Number of                                                       
                                                        unemployed persons                Unemployment rates(1)             
                                                          (in thousands)                                                    
                     Age and sex                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                                                       Dec.    Nov.    Dec.    Dec.    Aug.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec. 
                                                       1997    1998    1998    1997    1998    1998    1998    1998    1998 
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                            
  Total, 16 years and over..........................   6,448   6,080   6,021    4.7     4.5     4.5     4.5     4.4     4.3 
    16 to 24 years..................................   2,287   2,171   2,153   10.6    10.8    10.9    10.5     9.9     9.8 
      16 to 19 years................................   1,122   1,237   1,172   14.1    14.9    15.2    15.7    15.0    14.0 
        16 to 17 years..............................     577     595     573   17.8    17.1    17.6    18.2    18.0    16.9 
        18 to 19 years..............................     556     646     611   11.8    13.5    13.5    14.0    13.0    12.1 
      20 to 24 years................................   1,165     934     981    8.6     8.4     8.2     7.3     6.9     7.2 
    25 years and over...............................   4,162   3,879   3,864    3.6     3.3     3.4     3.4     3.3     3.3 
      25 to 54 years................................   3,668   3,377   3,340    3.7     3.5     3.5     3.5     3.4     3.4 
      55 years and over.............................     469     516     517    2.8     2.6     2.7     2.7     3.0     3.0 
                                                                                                                            
    Men, 16 years and over..........................   3,429   3,163   3,233    4.7     4.4     4.5     4.4     4.3     4.3 
      16 to 24 years................................   1,229   1,190   1,247   11.0    11.3    11.9    10.9    10.3    10.8 
        16 to 19 years..............................     576     713     717   14.1    15.9    17.4    16.7    16.5    16.4 
          16 to 17 years............................     307     344     349   18.4    18.9    20.2    20.9    20.0    19.9 
          18 to 19 years............................     266     373     364   11.1    14.2    15.1    13.7    14.4    14.0 
        20 to 24 years..............................     653     477     530    9.1     8.5     8.6     7.5     6.6     7.3 
      25 years and over.............................   2,201   1,952   1,987    3.5     3.2     3.2     3.2     3.1     3.2 
        25 to 54 years..............................   1,881   1,652   1,688    3.6     3.3     3.2     3.3     3.1     3.2 
        55 years and over...........................     319     296     300    3.4     2.6     3.0     2.9     3.1     3.1 
                                                                                                                            
    Women, 16 years and over........................   3,019   2,917   2,788    4.8     4.7     4.5     4.7     4.6     4.3 
      16 to 24 years................................   1,058     981     906   10.2    10.4     9.8    10.1     9.5     8.7 
        16 to 19 years..............................     546     524     455   14.1    13.8    12.9    14.8    13.3    11.3 
          16 to 17 years............................     270     251     224   17.1    15.3    14.9    15.4    15.9    13.8 
          18 to 19 years............................     290     273     247   12.5    12.8    11.9    14.3    11.4    10.2 
        20 to 24 years..............................     512     457     451    7.9     8.2     7.8     7.1     7.1     7.1 
      25 years and over.............................   1,961   1,927   1,877    3.7     3.5     3.6     3.6     3.6     3.5 
        25 to 54 years..............................   1,787   1,725   1,652    3.9     3.7     3.7     3.8     3.8     3.6 
        55 years and over...........................     150     220     217    2.0     2.7     2.3     2.5     2.9     2.8 

    1 Unemployment as a percent of the civilian labor force.
     NOTE: Beginning in January 1998, data reflect new composite estimation procedures and revised population controls used
  in the household survey.  Data have been revised based on the experience through December 1998.






  HOUSEHOLD DATA                                                                                                  HOUSEHOLD DATA
  
  Table A-10. Persons not in the labor force and multiple jobholders by sex, not seasonally adjusted

  (Numbers in thousands)
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                                                                            Total                Men                Women       
                                                                                                                                
                               Category                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
                                                                        Dec.      Dec.      Dec.      Dec.      Dec.      Dec.  
                                                                        1997      1998      1997      1998      1997      1998  
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
                        NOT IN THE LABOR FORCE                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
  Total not in the labor force......................................   67,356    67,973    25,072    25,254    42,284    42,719 
    Persons who currently want a job................................    4,390     4,187     1,828     1,762     2,562     2,425 
       Searched for work and vailable to work now(1)................    1,453     1,196       668       548       785       649 
          Reason not currently looking:                                                                                         
            Discouragement over job prospects(2)....................      345       358       185       214       160       145 
               Reasons other than discouragement(3).................    1,108       838       483       334       625       504 
                                                                                                                                
                         MULTIPLE JOBHOLDERS                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
  Total multiple jobholders(4)......................................    8,108     8,220     4,212     4,163     3,896     4,057 
      Percent of total employed.....................................      6.2       6.2       6.0       5.9       6.4       6.6 
                                                                                                                                
      Primary job full time, secondary job part time................    4,574     4,561     2,680     2,574     1,894     1,988 
      Primary and secondary jobs both part time.....................    1,779     1,778       570       522     1,210     1,255 
      Primary and secondary jobs both full time.....................      231       233       148       149        83        84 
      Hours vary on primary or secondary job........................    1,487     1,613       795       898       693       715 

    1 Data refer to persons who have searched for work during the prior 12 months and were available to take a job during the
  reference week.
    2 Includes thinks no work available, could not find work, lacks schooling or training, employer thinks too young or old, and
  other types of discrimination.
    3 Includes those who did not actively look for work in the prior 4 weeks for such reasons as child-care and transportation
  problems, as well as a small number for which reason for nonparticipation was not determined.
    4 Includes persons who work part time on their primary job and full time on their secondary job(s), not shown separately.
     NOTE: Beginning in January 1998, data reflect new composite estimation procedures and revised population controls used in
  the household survey.  

     ESTABLISHMENT DATA                                                                                    ESTABLISHMENT DATA
     
     
     Table B-1. Employees on nonfarm payrolls by industry

     (In thousands)
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
                                                  Not seasonally adjusted                   Seasonally adjusted              
                                                                                                                             
                     Industry                                                                                                
                                                Dec.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec.    Dec.    Aug.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec. 
                                                1997    1998   1998p   1998p    1997    1998    1998    1998   1998p   1998p 
                                                                                                                             
               Total......................... 125,123 127,504 127,820 127,976 124,289 126,191 126,363 126,527 126,778 127,156
                                                                                                                             
            Total private.................... 105,077 107,250 107,372 107,575 104,609 106,269 106,435 106,579 106,802 107,121
                                                                                                                             
     Goods-producing.........................  25,112  25,522  25,370  25,183  25,193  25,253  25,241  25,209  25,184  25,272
                                                                                                                             
       Mining................................     591     570     563     556     592     571     568     564     560     557
         Metal mining........................    51.8    50.4    50.0    49.8      52      50      50      50      50      50
         Coal mining.........................    93.9    89.0    90.1    89.4      94      90      89      89      90      89
         Oil and gas extraction..............   339.8   319.3   313.5   310.5     338     323     321     317     312     309
         Nonmetallic minerals, except fuels..   105.1   111.3   109.3   106.3     108     108     108     108     108     109
                                                                                                                             
       Construction..........................   5,704   6,269   6,186   6,047   5,810   5,989   5,981   6,012   6,054   6,158
         General building contractors........ 1,343.5 1,452.2 1,437.2 1,425.3   1,351   1,413   1,410   1,419   1,412   1,434
         Heavy construction, except building.   757.6   905.9   869.0   813.9     805     829     820     825     835     865
         Special trade contractors........... 3,602.6 3,911.1 3,880.1 3,807.9   3,654   3,747   3,751   3,768   3,807   3,859
                                                                                                                             
       Manufacturing.........................  18,817  18,683  18,621  18,580  18,791  18,693  18,692  18,633  18,570  18,557
           Production workers................  13,016  12,867  12,814  12,785  13,001  12,836  12,865  12,821  12,767  12,764
                                                                                                                             
        Durable goods........................  11,149  11,066  11,038  11,021  11,118  11,106  11,090  11,059  11,010  10,997
           Production workers................   7,664   7,570   7,550   7,546   7,644   7,577   7,584   7,566   7,526   7,522
         Lumber and wood products............   797.2   815.3   812.0   808.6     798     802     805     806     808     810
         Furniture and fixtures..............   517.8   525.8   526.6   529.8     515     526     524     524     524     527
         Stone, clay, and glass products.....   550.0   572.6   570.7   565.1     555     564     564     564     567     570
         Primary metal industries............   720.1   705.3   700.7   700.0     716     714     712     706     698     697
           Blast furnaces and basic steel                                                                                    
              products.......................   236.2   229.5   226.5   227.6   (1)     (1)     (1)     (1)     (1)     (1)  
         Fabricated metal products........... 1,497.8 1,487.0 1,486.3 1,485.5   1,491   1,490   1,487   1,486   1,481   1,480
         Industrial machinery and equipment.. 2,198.5 2,164.0 2,156.1 2,153.3   2,196   2,190   2,185   2,175   2,161   2,151
           Computer and office equipment.....   380.7   370.9   368.2   365.6     381     373     374     371     369     366
         Electronic and other electrical                                                                                     
            equipment........................ 1,720.5 1,678.6 1,674.3 1,672.6   1,712   1,694   1,688   1,680   1,669   1,667
           Electronic components and                                                                                         
              accessories....................   677.6   652.8   650.1   648.6     676     661     659     654     650     648
         Transportation equipment............ 1,890.2 1,882.0 1,882.5 1,884.3   1,878   1,884   1,883   1,887   1,878   1,872
           Motor vehicles and equipment...... 1,010.4   997.6   999.3 1,000.1   1,001     995     995   1,000     998     989
           Aircraft and parts................   521.6   522.4   522.0   520.8     519     526     524     523     520     519
         Instruments and related products....   868.7   849.8   845.7   843.5     869     857     855     850     846     844
         Miscellaneous manufacturing.........   388.0   386.0   382.6   378.2     388     385     387     381     378     379
                                                                                                                             
        Nondurable goods.....................   7,668   7,617   7,583   7,559   7,673   7,587   7,602   7,574   7,560   7,560
           Production workers................   5,352   5,297   5,264   5,239   5,357   5,259   5,281   5,255   5,241   5,242
         Food and kindred products........... 1,688.3 1,733.8 1,719.1 1,705.9   1,702   1,690   1,704   1,702   1,710   1,718
         Tobacco products....................    43.5    41.9    41.8    42.0      41      40      39      40      40      39
         Textile mill products...............   611.3   588.3   583.6   579.8     611     591     593     589     583     579
         Apparel and other textile products..   805.9   753.0   739.1   730.2     808     762     761     746     735     731
         Paper and allied products...........   687.1   676.5   674.1   674.2     686     680     679     677     674     673
         Printing and publishing............. 1,571.2 1,566.4 1,571.0 1,572.9   1,561   1,568   1,568   1,569   1,566   1,564
         Chemicals and allied products....... 1,034.3 1,034.1 1,032.3 1,033.6   1,036   1,036   1,036   1,034   1,034   1,035
         Petroleum and coal products.........   136.6   136.5   135.3   133.3     139     134     135     134     134     136
         Rubber and misc. plastics products.. 1,002.7 1,006.4 1,007.4 1,009.2   1,002   1,006   1,007   1,004   1,006   1,008
         Leather and leather products........    87.2    80.0    79.1    77.5      87      80      80      79      78      77
                                                                                                                             
     Service-producing....................... 100,011 101,982 102,450 102,793  99,096 100,938 101,122 101,318 101,594 101,884
                                                                                                                             
       Transportation and public utilities...   6,508   6,643   6,651   6,692   6,451   6,570   6,579   6,595   6,609   6,641
         Transportation......................   4,196   4,295   4,297   4,333   4,135   4,235   4,237   4,247   4,254   4,277
           Railroad transportation...........   229.1   235.5   234.9   234.3     230     232     234     234     234     235
           Local and interurban passenger                                                                                    
              transit........................   469.6   484.4   483.6   484.2     455     469     466     467     469     469
           Trucking and warehousing.......... 1,683.7 1,746.7 1,734.4 1,730.7   1,676   1,719   1,716   1,721   1,720   1,729
           Water transportation..............   173.9   193.8   190.5   186.7     179     192     191     191     194     193
           Transportation by air............. 1,183.4 1,165.8 1,184.6 1,228.4   1,138   1,161   1,166   1,167   1,168   1,181
           Pipelines, except natural gas.....    14.1    14.2    14.1    14.1      14      14      14      14      14      14
           Transportation services...........   441.8   454.8   454.9   454.3     443     448     450     453     455     456
         Communications and public utilities.   2,312   2,348   2,354   2,359   2,316   2,335   2,342   2,348   2,355   2,364
           Communications.................... 1,455.0 1,499.6 1,503.3 1,507.6   1,457   1,483   1,490   1,498   1,501   1,510
           Electric, gas, and sanitary                                                                                       
              services.......................   856.5   848.6   851.1   851.4     859     852     852     850     854     854
                                                                                                                             
       Wholesale trade.......................   6,731   6,889   6,887   6,882   6,731   6,838   6,862   6,864   6,875   6,882
         Durable goods.......................   4,000   4,097   4,101   4,103   4,002   4,084   4,094   4,096   4,103   4,105
         Nondurable goods....................   2,731   2,792   2,786   2,779   2,729   2,754   2,768   2,768   2,772   2,777
       Retail trade..........................  22,906  22,653  23,005  23,383  22,245  22,545  22,592  22,589  22,654  22,707
         Building materials and garden                                                                                       
            supplies.........................   934.9   986.9   982.3   983.3     946     979     984     987     990     999
         General merchandise stores.......... 3,072.8 2,858.9 3,037.8 3,159.4   2,771   2,784   2,800   2,812   2,836   2,846
           Department stores................. 2,693.7 2,525.6 2,686.9 2,784.0   2,434   2,459   2,466   2,481   2,498   2,512
         Food stores......................... 3,581.3 3,561.4 3,592.8 3,623.9   3,517   3,551   3,557   3,554   3,557   3,560
         Automotive dealers and service                                                                                      
            stations......................... 2,317.8 2,375.8 2,367.2 2,365.5   2,329   2,354   2,361   2,367   2,368   2,376
           New and used car dealers.......... 1,051.9 1,070.2 1,069.0 1,070.5   1,056   1,064   1,065   1,067   1,069   1,074
         Apparel and accessory stores........ 1,206.9 1,096.7 1,154.0 1,204.0   1,103   1,112   1,109   1,101   1,104   1,101
         Furniture and home furnishings                                                                                      
            stores........................... 1,081.4 1,078.7 1,107.7 1,137.0   1,035   1,070   1,071   1,076   1,082   1,087
         Eating and drinking places.......... 7,637.7 7,760.5 7,735.8 7,793.5   7,682   7,770   7,790   7,778   7,804   7,837
         Miscellaneous retail establishments. 3,073.0 2,934.4 3,026.9 3,115.9   2,862   2,925   2,920   2,914   2,913   2,901
                                                                                                                             
       Finance, insurance, and real estate...   7,173   7,407   7,417   7,445   7,194   7,372   7,393   7,417   7,439   7,467
         Finance.............................   3,478   3,587   3,598   3,621   3,478   3,572   3,578   3,598   3,606   3,621
           Depository institutions........... 2,040.8 2,035.1 2,038.8 2,047.6   2,040   2,042   2,038   2,043   2,043   2,047
             Commercial banks................ 1,467.3 1,450.7 1,453.2 1,459.9   1,466   1,457   1,456   1,456   1,456   1,458
             Savings institutions............   262.4   263.2   263.3   264.3     263     264     264     265     265     265
           Nondepository institutions........   586.2   638.3   646.4   654.2     586     628     630     640     650     654
             Mortgage bankers and brokers....   261.4   303.7   307.8   312.8     262     294     298     305     310     314
           Security and commodity brokers....   618.8   665.2   662.1   666.3     620     657     662     666     663     667
           Holding and other investment                                                                                      
              offices........................   231.8   248.4   250.4   252.6     232     245     248     249     250     253
         Insurance...........................   2,289   2,349   2,355   2,362   2,291   2,339   2,346   2,350   2,356   2,364
           Insurance carriers................ 1,556.1 1,601.6 1,604.2 1,609.0   1,558   1,595   1,599   1,601   1,604   1,611
           Insurance agents, brokers, and                                                                                    
              service........................   732.7   747.8   751.0   753.3     733     744     747     749     752     753
         Real estate.........................   1,406   1,471   1,464   1,462   1,425   1,461   1,469   1,469   1,477   1,482
                                                                                                                             
       Services2.............................  36,647  38,136  38,042  37,990  36,795  37,691  37,768  37,905  38,041  38,152
         Agricultural services...............   636.9   755.9   736.7   687.4     694     718     719     722     737     750
         Hotels and other lodging places..... 1,677.9 1,778.9 1,711.8 1,700.9   1,754   1,786   1,781   1,783   1,781   1,778
         Personal services................... 1,159.9 1,148.4 1,151.1 1,165.2   1,178   1,185   1,179   1,178   1,180   1,185
         Business services................... 8,359.6 8,838.0 8,836.1 8,829.0   8,294   8,619   8,605   8,677   8,716   8,765
           Services to buildings.............   948.8   989.8   989.8   988.7     955     978     986     987     988     995
           Personnel supply services......... 3,169.0 3,313.8 3,291.4 3,262.1   3,111   3,178   3,152   3,161   3,182   3,209
             Help supply services............ 2,829.2 2,969.8 2,945.3 2,911.0   2,783   2,850   2,818   2,829   2,846   2,863
           Computer and data processing                                                                                      
              services....................... 1,496.6 1,658.5 1,678.2 1,694.2   1,493   1,632   1,643   1,661   1,678   1,692
         Auto repair, services, and parking.. 1,138.3 1,171.0 1,171.3 1,171.4   1,143   1,167   1,168   1,169   1,174   1,176
         Miscellaneous repair services.......   379.4   391.4   390.8   392.3     380     386     388     389     391     393
         Motion pictures.....................   567.8   556.3   556.5   567.8     564     566     568     567     562     564
         Amusement and recreation services... 1,455.6 1,658.3 1,563.9 1,555.5   1,625   1,705   1,717   1,718   1,744   1,734
         Health services..................... 9,844.8 9,948.3 9,964.1 9,978.4   9,827   9,919   9,937   9,947   9,955   9,958
           Offices and clinics of medical                                                                                    
              doctors........................ 1,785.3 1,842.3 1,847.2 1,852.8   1,779   1,828   1,835   1,843   1,848   1,846
           Nursing and personal care                                                                                         
              facilities..................... 1,765.5 1,755.7 1,756.4 1,754.8   1,761   1,754   1,758   1,755   1,753   1,751
           Hospitals......................... 3,910.3 3,974.7 3,979.7 3,984.3   3,908   3,966   3,971   3,977   3,978   3,982
           Home health care services.........   714.7   667.3   666.3   665.6     713     670     667     662     661     663
         Legal services......................   962.5   989.7   993.0   996.2     963     985     991     995     994     996
         Educational services................ 2,273.3 2,385.9 2,422.0 2,371.2   2,160   2,198   2,218   2,238   2,244   2,253
         Social services..................... 2,567.4 2,668.7 2,682.9 2,693.1   2,561   2,632   2,652   2,659   2,673   2,688
           Child day care services...........   583.2   598.3   601.4   600.8     572     586     583     583     586     590
           Residential care..................   734.9   759.4   762.3   766.2     736     752     758     762     764     767
         Museums and botanical and zoological                                                                                
           gardens...........................    88.5    93.1    90.9    91.7      91      92      92      92      93      94
         Membership organizations............ 2,242.9 2,267.1 2,265.5 2,270.6   2,255   2,273   2,276   2,281   2,279   2,283
         Engineering and management services. 3,097.4 3,288.0 3,306.7 3,321.5   3,111   3,264   3,280   3,293   3,320   3,337
           Engineering and architectural                                                                                     
              services.......................   889.7   929.4   930.2   931.2     892     927     926     927     931     934
           Management and public relations...   986.4 1,078.2 1,090.8 1,094.2     988   1,055   1,066   1,075   1,092   1,095
         Services, nec.......................    51.5    53.2    54.6    54.4   (1)     (1)     (1)     (1)     (1)     (1)  
                                                                                                                             
       Government............................  20,046  20,254  20,448  20,401  19,680  19,922  19,928  19,948  19,976  20,035
         Federal.............................   2,720   2,694   2,705   2,723   2,688   2,683   2,687   2,713   2,712   2,691
           Federal, except Postal Service.... 1,803.1 1,822.8 1,816.3 1,804.8   1,819   1,816   1,813   1,834   1,832   1,821
         State...............................   4,691   4,788   4,810   4,789   4,611   4,661   4,680   4,671   4,672   4,706
           Education......................... 2,032.2 2,076.4 2,104.6 2,084.8   1,924   1,949   1,960   1,949   1,944   1,974
           Other State government............ 2,658.6 2,711.1 2,705.5 2,704.6   2,687   2,712   2,720   2,722   2,728   2,732
         Local...............................  12,635  12,772  12,933  12,889  12,381  12,578  12,561  12,564  12,592  12,638
           Education......................... 7,309.2 7,359.6 7,491.9 7,485.9   6,965   7,128   7,088   7,083   7,117   7,142
           Other local government............ 5,325.9 5,412.4 5,441.2 5,403.5   5,416   5,450   5,473   5,481   5,475   5,496

       1 These series are not published seasonally adjusted because the seasonal component, which is small relative to the
     trend-cycle and irregular components, cannot be separated with sufficient precision.
       2 Includes other industries, not shown separately.
       p = preliminary.




     ESTABLISHMENT DATA                                                                                    ESTABLISHMENT DATA
     
     
     Table B-2. Average weekly hours of production or nonsupervisory workers1 on private nonfarm payrolls by industry
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
                                                  Not seasonally adjusted                   Seasonally adjusted              
                                                                                                                             
                     Industry                                                                                                
                                                Dec.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec.    Dec.    Aug.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec. 
                                                1997    1998   1998p   1998p    1997    1998    1998    1998   1998p   1998p 
                                                                                                                             
            Total private....................   34.8    34.6    34.7    34.7    34.7    34.6    34.4    34.6    34.5    34.6 
                                                                                                                             
     Goods-producing.........................   42.0    41.4    41.2    41.8    41.4    41.1    40.8    41.1    40.9    41.2 
                                                                                                                             
       Mining................................   45.2    43.9    43.9    43.5    44.9    43.8    43.2    43.8    43.5    43.2 
                                                                                                                             
       Construction..........................   38.5    40.0    38.5    39.2    39.0    39.1    38.4    39.1    38.8    39.7 
                                                                                                                             
       Manufacturing.........................   43.0    41.9    42.1    42.6    42.2    41.7    41.6    41.7    41.6    41.8 
           Overtime hours....................    5.4     4.7     4.7     4.9     4.9     4.6     4.5     4.5     4.5     4.5 
                                                                                                                             
        Durable goods........................   43.9    42.5    42.7    43.3    43.0    42.3    42.2    42.3    42.2    42.3 
           Overtime hours....................    5.8     4.8     4.9     5.2     5.2     4.8     4.7     4.6     4.6     4.6 
                                                                                                                             
         Lumber and wood products............   41.2    41.5    41.5    41.8    41.0    41.2    40.6    41.1    41.2    41.7 
         Furniture and fixtures..............   42.1    40.8    40.8    41.6    40.7    40.7    40.1    40.4    40.1    40.3 
         Stone, clay, and glass products.....   43.7    44.0    43.6    43.7    43.6    43.6    43.3    43.4    43.4    43.8 
         Primary metal industries............   46.1    43.6    44.1    44.7    45.2    44.1    43.7    43.7    43.8    43.8 
           Blast furnaces and basic steel                                                                                    
              products.......................   46.0    43.2    43.1    44.1    45.4    44.5    44.2    43.9    43.1    43.6 
         Fabricated metal products...........   44.0    42.6    42.8    43.6    42.9    42.3    42.3    42.3    42.1    42.4 
         Industrial machinery and equipment..   44.8    42.4    42.6    43.0    43.7    43.1    42.7    42.7    42.3    41.9 
         Electronic and other electrical                                                                                     
            equipment........................   43.1    41.5    42.1    42.3    42.0    41.7    41.5    41.5    41.4    41.1 
         Transportation equipment............   45.6    44.2    44.4    45.8    44.5    42.6    43.7    43.7    43.9    44.7 
           Motor vehicles and equipment......   46.3    44.5    44.9    47.2    44.9    42.3    44.3    43.8    44.4    45.6 
         Instruments and related products....   42.9    41.1    41.5    42.0    41.9    41.4    41.0    41.1    41.0    41.0 
         Miscellaneous manufacturing.........   41.4    40.1    40.1    40.3    40.6    40.1    39.6    39.7    39.4    39.5 
                                                                                                                             
        Nondurable goods.....................   41.8    41.1    41.3    41.7    41.0    40.9    40.8    40.9    40.8    40.9 
           Overtime hours....................    4.7     4.5     4.5     4.6     4.4     4.3     4.3     4.3     4.3     4.3 
                                                                                                                             
         Food and kindred products...........   42.4    42.0    42.4    43.0    41.6    41.5    41.7    41.5    41.7    42.2 
         Tobacco products....................   40.1    39.1    38.6    37.8    38.8    39.6    37.7    38.5    38.1    36.7 
         Textile mill products...............   42.2    41.1    41.3    41.3    41.7    41.0    40.4    41.1    40.8    40.8 
         Apparel and other textile products..   38.1    37.6    37.6    37.9    37.5    37.5    37.3    37.3    37.3    37.3 
         Paper and allied products...........   44.6    43.6    43.9    44.2    43.7    43.3    43.6    43.5    43.5    43.3 
         Printing and publishing.............   39.2    38.4    38.6    38.7    38.6    38.5    38.1    38.2    38.1    38.1 
         Chemicals and allied products.......   44.0    43.2    43.3    43.6    43.2    43.3    43.2    43.3    43.0    42.6 
         Petroleum and coal products.........   42.2    43.9    43.9    44.7    (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
         Rubber and misc. plastics products..   43.0    41.8    42.1    42.9    42.1    41.6    41.7    41.8    41.6    41.9 
         Leather and leather products........   38.8    37.6    37.9    38.4    38.4    38.1    37.4    37.4    37.5    37.8 
                                                                                                                             
     Service-producing.......................   32.9    32.8    33.0    32.9    32.9    32.9    32.8    32.9    32.9    32.9 
                                                                                                                             
       Transportation and public utilities...   39.8    39.3    39.7    39.0    39.9    39.3    39.3    39.3    39.3    39.0 
                                                                                                                             
       Wholesale trade.......................   38.4    38.3    38.7    38.5    38.3    38.4    38.2    38.3    38.5    38.5 
                                                                                                                             
       Retail trade..........................   29.2    28.9    28.9    29.2    28.9    29.0    29.0    29.1    29.0    28.9 
                                                                                                                             
       Finance, insurance, and real estate...   35.9    36.1    37.0    36.1    (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)     (2)  
                                                                                                                             
       Services..............................   32.6    32.6    32.8    32.7    32.7    32.7    32.5    32.7    32.6    32.8 

       1 Data relate to production workers in mining and manufacturing; construction workers in construction; and
     nonsupervisory workers in transportation and public utilities; wholesale and retail trade; finance, insurance, and real
     estate; and services. These groups account for approximately four-fifths of the total employees on private nonfarm
     payrolls.
       2 These series are not published seasonally adjusted because the seasonal component, which is small relative to the
     trend-cycle and irregular components, cannot be separated with sufficient precision.
       p = preliminary.




     ESTABLISHMENT DATA                                                                                    ESTABLISHMENT DATA
     
     
     Table B-3. Average hourly and weekly earnings of production or nonsupervisory workers1 on private nonfarm payrolls by
     industry
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
                                                      Average hourly earnings                 Average weekly earnings        
                                                                                                                             
                     Industry                                                                                                
                                                 Dec.      Oct.      Nov.      Dec.      Dec.      Oct.      Nov.      Dec.  
                                                 1997      1998     1998p     1998p      1997      1998     1998p     1998p  
                                                                                                                             
            Total private....................  $12.53    $12.92    $12.99    $12.99    $436.04   $447.03   $450.75   $450.75 
             Seasonally adjusted.............   12.50     12.90     12.93     12.98     433.75    446.34    446.09    449.11 
                                                                                                                             
     Goods-producing.........................   14.21     14.49     14.49     14.55     596.82    599.89    596.99    608.19 
                                                                                                                             
       Mining................................   16.52     17.13     17.32     17.41     746.70    752.01    760.35    757.34 
                                                                                                                             
       Construction..........................   16.37     16.86     16.80     16.83     630.25    674.40    646.80    659.74 
                                                                                                                             
       Manufacturing.........................   13.47     13.54     13.60     13.69     579.21    567.33    572.56    583.19 
                                                                                                                             
        Durable goods........................   14.07     14.03     14.08     14.17     617.67    596.28    601.22    613.56 
         Lumber and wood products............   10.93     11.23     11.26     11.34     450.32    466.05    467.29    474.01 
         Furniture and fixtures..............   10.79     10.99     10.98     11.10     454.26    448.39    447.98    461.76 
         Stone, clay, and glass products.....   13.39     13.68     13.67     13.72     585.14    601.92    596.01    599.56 
         Primary metal industries............   15.42     15.31     15.31     15.38     710.86    667.52    675.17    687.49 
           Blast furnaces and basic steel                                                                                    
              products.......................   18.15     18.21     18.30     18.18     834.90    786.67    788.73    801.74 
         Fabricated metal products...........   13.03     13.19     13.23     13.36     573.32    561.89    566.24    582.50 
         Industrial machinery and equipment..   14.41     14.55     14.63     14.69     645.57    616.92    623.24    631.67 
         Electronic and other electrical                                                                                     
            equipment........................   13.13     13.14     13.19     13.31     565.90    545.31    555.30    563.01 
         Transportation equipment............   18.09     17.49     17.56     17.57     824.90    773.06    779.66    804.71 
           Motor vehicles and equipment......   18.66     17.70     17.75     17.74     863.96    787.65    796.98    837.33 
         Instruments and related products....   13.68     13.83     13.87     13.99     586.87    568.41    575.61    587.58 
         Miscellaneous manufacturing.........   10.80     11.00     11.02     11.14     447.12    441.10    441.90    448.94 
                                                                                                                             
        Nondurable goods.....................   12.58     12.82     12.88     12.97     525.84    526.90    531.94    540.85 
         Food and kindred products...........   11.71     11.82     11.95     12.01     496.50    496.44    506.68    516.43 
         Tobacco products....................   18.69     17.08     17.43     17.28     749.47    667.83    672.80    653.18 
         Textile mill products...............   10.25     10.44     10.49     10.55     432.55    429.08    433.24    435.72 
         Apparel and other textile products..    8.42      8.65      8.63      8.71     320.80    325.24    324.49    330.11 
         Paper and allied products...........   15.27     15.58     15.63     15.76     681.04    679.29    686.16    696.59 
         Printing and publishing.............   13.30     13.60     13.54     13.65     521.36    522.24    522.64    528.26 
         Chemicals and allied products.......   16.92     17.22     17.28     17.33     744.48    743.90    748.22    755.59 
         Petroleum and coal products.........   20.55     21.05     20.90     21.10     867.21    924.10    917.51    943.17 
         Rubber and misc. plastics products..   11.76     11.89     11.97     12.06     505.68    497.00    503.94    517.37 
         Leather and leather products........    9.21      9.46      9.42      9.40     357.35    355.70    357.02    360.96 
                                                                                                                             
     Service-producing.......................   11.96     12.40     12.50     12.49     393.48    406.72    412.50    410.92 
                                                                                                                             
       Transportation and public utilities...  $15.17    $15.43    $15.53    $15.57    $603.77   $606.40   $616.54   $607.23 
                                                                                                                             
       Wholesale trade.......................   13.72     14.13     14.29     14.27     526.85    541.18    553.02    549.40 
                                                                                                                             
       Retail trade..........................    8.51      8.86      8.87      8.89     248.49    256.05    256.34    259.59 
                                                                                                                             
       Finance, insurance, and real estate...   13.64     14.20     14.41     14.33     489.68    512.62    533.17    517.31 
                                                                                                                             
       Services..............................   12.61     13.01     13.14     13.18     411.09    424.13    430.99    430.99 

       1 See footnote 1, table B-2.
       p = preliminary.




                ESTABLISHMENT DATA                                                              ESTABLISHMENT DATA
                
                
                Table B-4. Average hourly earnings of production or nonsupervisory workers1 on private nonfarm
                payrolls by industry, seasonally adjusted
                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                         Percent  
                                                   Dec.     Aug.     Sept.    Oct.     Nov.     Dec.      change  
                            Industry               1997     1998     1998     1998     1998p    1998p     from:   
                                                                                                        Nov. 1998-
                                                                                                        Dec. 1998 
                                                                                                                  
                Total private:                                                                                    
                   Current dollars..............   $12.50   $12.85   $12.87   $12.90   $12.93   $12.98      0.4   
                   Constant (1982) dollars2.....     7.63     7.78     7.79     7.79     7.79     N.A.     (3)    
                                                                                                                  
                  Goods-producing...............    14.15    14.39    14.39    14.43    14.46    14.50       .3   
                    Mining......................    16.46    17.10    17.15    17.20    17.35    17.32      -.2   
                    Construction................    16.34    16.67    16.57    16.69    16.76    16.81       .3   
                    Manufacturing...............    13.37    13.52    13.57    13.57    13.58    13.58       .0   
                      Excluding overtime4.......    12.63    12.81    12.90    12.88    12.89    12.89       .0   
                                                                                                                  
                  Service-producing.............    11.95    12.35    12.38    12.41    12.44    12.49       .4   
                    Transportation and public                                                                     
                       utilities................    15.16    15.35    15.42    15.42    15.45    15.56       .7   
                    Wholesale trade.............    13.71    14.16    14.14    14.19    14.24    14.26       .1   
                    Retail trade................     8.51     8.83     8.86     8.85     8.85     8.90       .6   
                    Finance, insurance, and real                                                                  
                       estate...................    13.66    14.16    14.17    14.24    14.34    14.36       .1   
                    Services....................    12.50    12.95    12.99    13.03    13.05    13.09       .3   

                  1 See footnote 1, table B-2.
                  2 The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) is used to
                deflate this series.
                  3 Change was .0 percent from October 1998 to November 1998, the latest month available.
                  4 Derived by assuming that overtime hours are paid at the rate of time and one-half.
                    N.A. = not available.
                  p = preliminary.




     ESTABLISHMENT DATA                                                                                    ESTABLISHMENT DATA
     
     
     Table B-5. Indexes of aggregate weekly hours of production or nonsupervisory workers1 on private nonfarm payrolls by
     industry
     
     (1982=100)
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
                                                  Not seasonally adjusted                   Seasonally adjusted              
                                                                                                                             
                     Industry                                                                                                
                                               Dec.   Oct.    Nov.     Dec.    Dec.    Aug.   Sept.   Oct.    Nov.     Dec.  
                                               1997   1998    1998p    1998p   1997    1998    1998   1998    1998p    1998p 
                                                                                                                             
            Total private....................  144.7  146.8   147.4    147.5   143.6  145.3   144.9   145.8   145.7    146.5 
                                                                                                                             
     Goods-producing.........................  117.0  117.6   116.0    116.4   116.0  114.7   114.1   114.6   114.0    115.6 
                                                                                                                             
       Mining................................   57.7   54.2    53.5     52.3    57.5   54.0    53.1    53.5    52.6     52.1 
                                                                                                                             
       Construction..........................  153.9  177.6   168.1    166.3   159.3  164.3   160.9   164.8   164.5    172.1 
                                                                                                                             
       Manufacturing.........................  113.0  108.7   108.8    109.9   110.6  108.0   108.0   107.8   107.2    107.5 
                                                                                                                             
        Durable goods........................  117.5  112.1   112.4    114.0   114.6  111.8   111.7   111.6   110.8    111.1 
         Lumber and wood products............  143.0  147.0   146.6    146.7   142.6  143.8   141.9   143.9   144.6    146.4 
         Furniture and fixtures..............  136.4  134.3   134.4    138.4   131.1  133.7   131.4   132.4   131.4    133.3 
         Stone, clay, and glass products.....  113.4  119.7   118.1    116.6   114.9  116.0   115.4   115.7   116.5    118.1 
         Primary metal industries............   98.6   91.2    91.5     92.7    96.3   93.3    92.3    91.6    90.7     90.5 
           Blast furnaces and basic steel                                                                                    
              products.......................   75.2   68.5    67.4     69.6    73.8   71.9    71.0    70.1    67.3     68.9 
         Fabricated metal products...........  123.6  118.4   118.9    121.1   119.9  117.5   117.7   117.5   116.6    117.3 
         Industrial machinery and equipment..  114.8  106.9   107.2    108.1   111.7  110.0   108.7   108.4   106.7    105.2 
         Electronic and other electrical                                                                                     
            equipment........................  116.8  107.9   108.9    109.8   113.0  109.1   108.9   108.0   106.6    106.0 
         Transportation equipment............  136.2  127.7   128.5    132.8   131.8  122.8   126.5   127.1   126.5    128.4 
           Motor vehicles and equipment......  178.5  163.0   165.1    173.6   171.2  153.5   161.9   161.1   161.6    165.5 
         Instruments and related products....   78.7   74.9    75.2     76.5    76.9   75.9    75.2    75.0    74.5     74.5 
         Miscellaneous manufacturing.........  105.4  101.5   100.6     99.8   103.9  101.5   100.3    98.6    97.5     98.1 
                                                                                                                             
        Nondurable goods.....................  106.8  103.9   103.9    104.4   105.1  102.8   103.0   102.6   102.2    102.6 
         Food and kindred products...........  119.5  122.6   122.4    122.6   118.4  116.8   118.9   118.2   119.5    121.4 
         Tobacco products....................   68.2   64.1    63.2     62.6    61.5   58.8    57.9    59.1    58.5     56.4 
         Textile mill products...............   90.8   84.9    84.5     83.9    89.9   85.0    84.3    85.2    83.6     82.7 
         Apparel and other textile products..   73.1   66.6    65.2     64.9    72.2   67.5    67.0    65.2    64.3     63.9 
         Paper and allied products...........  114.1  109.3   109.7    110.7   111.6  109.1   109.9   109.2   108.6    108.3 
         Printing and publishing.............  129.8  124.7   125.8    126.1   126.7  125.4   124.1   124.5   123.5    123.0 
         Chemicals and allied products.......  104.0  102.6   102.6    103.7   102.0  102.8   102.7   102.8   101.9    101.5 
         Petroleum and coal products.........   71.6   76.0    75.2     74.9    74.2   73.8    73.9    73.6    74.1     77.3 
         Rubber and misc. plastics products..  151.6  147.8   148.8    152.2   148.2  146.6   147.3   147.1   146.8    148.4 
         Leather and leather products........   39.3   34.5    34.4     33.9    38.9   35.1    33.9    33.9    33.4     33.1 
                                                                                                                             
     Service-producing.......................  157.2  159.9   161.6    161.5   156.0  159.0   158.7   159.7   159.9    160.3 
                                                                                                                             
       Transportation and public utilities...  132.0  132.8   134.2    132.8   131.0  131.2   131.2   131.6   131.9    131.4 
                                                                                                                             
       Wholesale trade.......................  127.2  129.8   130.8    129.9   126.9  129.0   128.7   129.1   129.9    130.0 
                                                                                                                             
       Retail trade..........................  145.4  141.4   143.9    147.6   139.2  141.3   141.5   142.0   141.7    141.5 
                                                                                                                             
       Finance, insurance, and real estate...  129.9  135.3   138.8    136.2   130.9  136.2   135.6   136.6   137.6    137.0 
                                                                                                                             
       Services..............................  189.4  197.1   197.8    196.4   191.0  195.2   194.6   196.4   196.3    197.9 

       1 See footnote 1, table B-2.
       p = preliminary.




      ESTABLISHMENT DATA                                                                                   ESTABLISHMENT DATA
      
      
      Table B-6.  Diffusion indexes of employment change, seasonally adjusted
      
      (Percent)
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
             Time span          Jan.    Feb.    Mar.    Apr.    May     June    July    Aug.   Sept.    Oct.    Nov.    Dec. 
                                                                                                                             
                              
                                                         Private nonfarm payrolls, 356 industries1
                              
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
      Over 1-month span:                                                                                                     
           1994..............   59.3    60.5    67.0    64.5    58.6    63.3    63.8    61.7    61.5    60.4    64.0    61.7 
           1995..............   62.5    60.0    54.9    55.6    47.8    55.6    54.8    59.0    58.0    55.8    54.5    58.8 
           1996..............   50.8    64.6    59.6    56.6    62.8    61.0    57.3    61.5    56.0    62.5    62.2    60.7 
           1997..............   58.0    61.4    59.8    63.6    60.1    54.6    61.1    59.1    60.0    64.3    62.4    64.9 
           1998..............   63.8    58.7    59.6    56.9    56.6    59.0    55.1    53.9    53.5    52.4   p54.4   p59.3 
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
      Over 3-month span:                                                                                                     
           1994..............   64.5    69.2    69.9    68.4    66.6    67.1    69.0    69.5    66.2    65.6    66.6    66.3 
           1995..............   63.6    61.4    59.4    53.1    55.2    53.2    59.7    60.1    59.1    58.0    56.6    54.6 
           1996..............   61.9    62.8    64.0    63.8    63.5    64.9    64.2    61.5    63.9    64.2    67.0    66.6 
           1997..............   64.9    63.3    65.6    66.2    63.9    61.2    60.1    65.9    67.4    68.1    70.8    71.9 
           1998..............   68.4    67.3    64.2    61.7    60.4    58.4    57.2    56.7    56.0   p54.4   p58.0         
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
      Over 6-month span:                                                                                                     
           1994..............   70.9    69.9    69.7    71.2    70.2    69.8    69.8    70.2    68.7    67.4    66.7    65.4 
           1995..............   66.4    60.1    59.1    57.3    59.0    60.1    57.6    60.4    59.7    59.3    61.1    63.2 
           1996..............   62.8    65.4    64.7    65.7    66.2    65.0    66.4    66.0    66.2    67.6    66.9    66.3 
           1997..............   67.6    67.0    65.3    64.9    65.6    67.3    68.0    67.3    70.6    72.3    73.3    72.6 
           1998..............   72.1    70.9    69.4    63.5    64.5    61.8    59.0   p58.6   p59.1                         
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
      Over 12-month span:                                                                                                    
           1994..............   70.2    71.6    71.8    71.8    72.1    71.8    71.5    72.1    70.1    69.5    66.6    65.0 
           1995..............   63.6    62.4    62.6    63.3    61.7    61.9    58.7    62.2    62.2    61.5    63.5    65.4 
           1996..............   64.5    66.7    64.5    65.6    68.5    67.3    67.7    66.4    68.0    69.9    69.1    68.3 
           1997..............   69.8    67.6    69.2    70.1    69.8    69.8    71.2    71.2    71.1    73.0    72.9    72.3 
           1998..............   71.2    69.5    69.5    66.6   p64.5   p63.2                                                 
                                                                                                                             
                              
                                                          Manufacturing payrolls, 139 industries1
                              
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
      Over 1-month span:                                                                                                     
           1994..............   56.8    56.5    60.1    59.0    53.6    58.3    59.0    55.8    53.6    56.5    58.3    56.8 
           1995..............   54.7    54.3    46.4    53.2    42.4    44.2    46.4    49.6    48.6    52.2    45.3    48.2 
           1996..............   42.8    54.7    48.2    42.1    55.4    50.7    47.1    55.4    47.8    52.9    54.3    55.4 
           1997..............   49.3    54.3    50.0    56.8    51.4    52.2    50.4    48.9    56.5    57.2    56.1    60.8 
           1998..............   55.8    51.8    52.5    48.6    45.0    47.8    39.6    47.5    43.2    38.8   p37.4   p47.8 
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
      Over 3-month span:                                                                                                     
           1994..............   60.4    63.7    63.7    60.4    57.6    59.7    61.9    56.8    54.3    55.4    60.8    59.0 
           1995..............   56.8    50.0    47.8    42.1    43.2    38.8    40.6    43.5    48.2    47.1    45.3    39.9 
           1996..............   43.9    46.8    46.0    47.5    46.4    49.3    51.4    50.0    53.6    51.1    57.6    54.7 
           1997..............   54.3    49.3    54.3    54.0    55.4    50.4    47.5    52.2    57.9    62.6    64.7    65.5 
           1998..............   60.1    59.0    50.7    46.4    43.2    38.8    36.7    34.2    41.4   p30.9   p35.6         
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
      Over 6-month span:                                                                                                     
           1994..............   60.4    62.9    61.2    62.6    59.4    57.2    57.6    58.6    58.6    54.7    57.2    55.0 
           1995..............   55.4    46.4    42.8    40.3    41.4    42.4    41.0    41.0    43.9    43.2    43.2    45.3 
           1996..............   42.1    45.3    46.4    47.1    48.2    48.6    51.1    50.4    52.9    52.9    53.2    52.2 
           1997..............   54.3    54.3    51.4    52.9    51.4    55.0    56.8    57.6    60.4    64.4    67.6    65.8 
           1998..............   61.5    56.8    52.2    39.2    40.6    34.5    30.9   p29.1   p32.4                         
                                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                             
      Over 12-month span:                                                                                                    
           1994..............   57.9    58.6    60.8    60.8    60.8    63.3    59.4    60.1    57.2    56.5    50.4    49.6 
           1995..............   46.0    44.2    46.0    47.8    41.0    41.7    38.5    38.8    36.3    38.5    39.9    44.6 
           1996..............   43.5    47.5    45.3    45.3    50.4    49.6    50.4    48.6    51.1    55.0    54.0    51.8 
           1997..............   57.2    52.5    54.7    56.5    57.9    57.6    58.6    58.6    60.4    60.4    59.4    58.3 
           1998..............   50.7    51.1    50.4    41.7   p37.4   p36.0                                                 

        1 Based on seasonally adjusted data for 1-, 3-, and 6-month spans and unadjusted data for the 12-month span. Data are
      centered within the span. 
        p = preliminary.
        NOTE:  Figures are the percent of industries with employment increasing plus one-half of the industries with
      unchanged employment, where 50 percent indicates an equal balance between industries with increasing and decreasing
      employment.