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http://stats.bls.gov/ppihome.htm   MARCH 14, 1997
                                     
                  Producer Price Indexes - February 1997
     
     The Producer Price Index for Finished Goods declined 0.4 percent in
February, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U. S.
Department of Labor reported today.  This followed a decrease of 0.3
percent in January and an increase of 0.6 percent in December.  Prices
received by producers of intermediate goods fell 0.1 percent in February
after rising 0.2 percent in January.  The Crude Goods Price Index dropped
5.9 percent in February following a gain of 5.2 percent in January.  (See
table A.)

     Among finished goods in February, the index for energy goods fell 1.2
percent following a 0.2-percent decrease in the prior month.  Prices for
finished consumer foods declined 0.3 percent after falling 1.0 percent in
the previous month.  The index for finished goods other than foods and
energy fell 0.1 percent after remaining unchanged in January.
     
Table A.  Monthly and annual percent changes in selected stage-of-
processing price
indexes, seasonally adjusted
                     Finish                                  
                         ed
                      goods
                                                             
                                     Change in            
                            Except   finished   Inter-    
                                       goods
                             foods    from 12   mediateCrude
                              and     months
Month  Total  Foods  Energy energy      ago      goods goods
                                     (unadj.)
 1996                                                     
 Feb.     0.0   -0.2   -0.6     0.1         2.0   -0.4    1.9
 Mar.     0.5    0.8    2.5       0         2.4    0.2   -1.2
 Apr.     0.2   -0.3    2.1       0         2.4    0.3    4.0
 May      0.2    0.2   -0.6     0.2         2.3    0.4    1.1
 June     0.3    1.4   -0.8     0.1         2.7   -0.3   -2.4
 July       0    0.1    0.4       0         2.6   -0.2    2.2
 Aug.     0.3    0.7    0.6     0.1         3.0    0.2    0.6
Sept.     0.3    0.4    0.7     0.1         3.0    0.4   -2.6
 Oct.    r0.4   r0.8   r1.7   r-0.1        r3.1   -0.2  r-0.7
 Nov.    r0.1  r-0.1   r1.1   r-0.1         3.0    0.1   r1.6
 Dec.     0.6   -0.1    3.4     0.1         2.8    0.3    4.9
                                                             
 1997                                                        
 Jan.    -0.3   -1.0   -0.2       0         2.5    0.2    5.2
 Feb.    -0.4   -0.3   -1.2    -0.1         2.2   -0.1   -5.9
r=revised.  Some of the figures shown above and elsewhere in this release
may differ from those previously reported
because data for October 1996 have been revised to reflect the availability
of late reports and corrections by respondents.
                                    -2-
     Before seasonal adjustment, the Producer Price Index for Finished
Goods dropped 0.3 percent in February to 132.2 (1982=100).  From February
1996 to February 1997, the Finished Goods Price Index rose 2.2 percent.
Over the same period, prices for finished consumer foods increased 2.4
percent, the index for finished energy goods advanced 9.8 percent, and
prices for finished goods other than foods and energy rose 0.5 percent.
Prices received by domestic producers of intermediate goods increased 1.2
percent for the 12 months ended in February, and the index for crude goods
rose 6.3 percent during the same period.

Finished Goods

     The Producer Price Index for finished energy goods declined 1.2
percent in February following a decrease of 0.2 percent in the prior month.
Prices for gasoline turned down 3.1 percent after advancing 2.6 percent in
January.  The index for residential natural gas rose less than in the
previous month.  By contrast, prices for residential electric power
increased 0.1 percent after decreasing the same amount in January.  Prices
for finished lubricants also turned up after declining in the prior month.
The index for home heating oil fell less than a month ago.
     
     Prices for finished consumer foods fell 0.3 percent after declining
1.0 percent a month earlier.  The February drop was the fourth consecutive
decline for this index.  The index for eggs for fresh use turned up 1.5
percent after dropping 19.8 percent in January.  Prices for fresh and dry
vegetables rose more than in the previous month.  The index for fresh
fruits and melons showed no change after declining in January.  Prices for
dairy products increased after falling in the prior month.  By contrast,
the index for finfish and shellfish turned down 6.2 percent after rising
1.5 percent in the previous month.  Prices for beef and veal and for pork
decreased more than a month ago.  The index for shortening and cooking oils
showed no change after rising in January.
     
Table B.  Monthly and annual percent changes in selected price indexes for
intermediate goods and
crude goods, seasonally adjusted
              Interm                           Crude           
              ediate                           goods
              goods
                            Change in                        Change in
                            intermedi                          crude
                               ate
                     Exclud   goods                  Excludi   goods
                      ing      from                    ng
                     foods  12 months         Energy  foods   from 12
                      and      ago                     and   months ago
Month  Foods  Energy energy  (unadj.)   Foods (unadj energy   (unadj.)
                                                .)
 1996                                                             
 Feb.    -0.2   -1.0   -0.4        1.1    0.0    5.9   -0.2     8.3
 Mar.     0.2    2.0   -0.2        0.7    0.3   -2.5   -2.1     7.5
 Apr.     1.9    3.4   -0.1        0.6    3.5    8.3   -1.3     10.4
 May      3.8    0.6    0.1        0.7    5.8   -4.6    0.7     12.7
 June     0.7   -2.4      0        0.3    0.7   -6.8   -1.8     9.6
 July     0.4      0   -0.3       -0.1    1.7    5.4   -1.6     13.2
 Aug.     0.3    0.8    0.1        0.1   -0.6    2.4    0.5     15.4
Sept.     0.8    1.1    0.2        0.6   -3.5   -3.3    0.5     10.1
 Oct.    -2.0   r1.3   -0.2        0.5  r-3.1    2.1  r-0.1     9.4
 Nov.    -2.1   r0.2    0.1        0.6  r-2.4    7.7  r-0.3     9.4
 Dec.    -0.2    2.2    0.1        0.8   -2.7   16.5      0     12.2
                                                                  
 1997                                                             
 Jan.    -0.8    1.1    0.1        1.0   -1.0   12.9    2.0     15.1
 Feb.    -0.8   -0.6      0        1.2   -1.9  -12.4    1.0     6.3
r=revised.  Some of the figures shown above and elsewhere in this release
may differ from those previously reported because data for
October 1996 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports
and corrections by respondents.
                                     
                                    -3-
     The index for finished consumer goods excluding foods and energy fell
0.1 percent after showing no change in January.  Declining prices for
alcoholic beverages, sanitary paper products, household appliances, textile
housefurnishings, tobacco products, and for toys, games, and children's
vehicles were partially offset by increases for passenger cars, floor
coverings, women's apparel, and for cosmetics and other toilet
preparations.

     The index for capital equipment fell 0.1 percent in February after
registering no change in January.  Price declines for electronic computers,
light motor trucks, commercial furniture, and for x-ray and electromedical
equipment outweighed price increases for communications and related
equipment, paper industries machinery, metal forming machine tools, and for
pumps and compressors.
     
Intermediate goods

     The Producer Price Index for Intermediate Materials, Supplies, and
Components declined 0.1 percent in February, seasonally adjusted, after
rising 0.2 percent a month earlier.  Prices for both energy goods and
nondurable manufacturing materials turned down after rising in January.  By
contrast, prices for both construction and durable manufacturing materials
rose more than in the previous month.  The index for foods and feeds fell
the same amount as in the prior month.  Excluding foods and energy, the
intermediate materials index was unchanged after gaining 0.1 percent in
January.  (See table B.)

     The index for intermediate energy goods fell 0.6 percent after rising
1.1 percent a month ago.  Prices for utility natural gas turned down 2.0
percent after rising 7.5 percent in the prior month.  The indexes for
gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas also fell after rising in January.
Prices for residual fuel rose less than in the previous month.  By
contrast, the index for diesel fuel turned up 1.6 percent after falling 2.0
percent a month ago.

     The index for nondurable manufacturing materials declined 0.2 percent
following a 0.1-percent increase in January.  Prices for paperboard fell
2.8 percent after gaining 0.1 percent a month earlier.  The indexes for
inedible fats and oils, woodpulp, and phosphates also turned down after
rising in the previous month.  Prices for paper fell more than in January.
By contrast, prices for basic organic chemicals rose 0.7 percent following
a 0.4-percent decline a month ago.  The index for plastic resins and
materials also turned up after falling in the prior month.  Prices for
nitrogenates fell less than a month ago, and the index for finished fabrics
showed no change after declining in January.

     The index for durable manufacturing materials rose 0.4 percent after
advancing 0.2 percent a month ago.  Prices for steel mill products
increased 0.3 percent after declining 0.3 percent in the previous month.
The indexes for plywood, prepared paint, and silver also turned up after
falling in the previous month.  Prices for aluminum mill shapes rose more
than in January.  By contrast, the index for copper fell 1.3 percent
following a 3.5-percent rise in the prior month.  Prices for copper and
brass mill shapes also turned down after rising in the previous month.  The
indexes for aluminum, hardwood lumber, and cement rose less than in
January.

     The index for construction materials rose 0.4 percent after gaining
0.1 percent in the prior month.  Prices for plastic construction materials
increased 1.3 percent after falling 1.5 percent a month ago.  The indexes
for plywood and for plumbing fixtures and brass fittings also turned up
after declining in January.  Prices for heating equipment fell less than in
the previous month.  The indexes for softwood lumber and fabricated
structural metal products rose more than in the prior month.  Conversely,
prices for gypsum products turned down 0.6 percent following a 2.7-percent
increase in January.  The index for wiring devices also turned down after
rising a month ago.  Prices for millwork, nonferrous wire and cable, and
cement increased less than in the previous month.

                                    -4-
     The index for intermediate foods and feeds fell 0.8 percent for the
second consecutive month.  In February, price declines for beef and veal,
pork, confectionery materials, fluid milk products, and crude vegetable
oils outweighed price increases for natural and processed cheese, condensed
and evaporated milk, and flour.

Crude Goods

     The Producer Price Index for Crude Materials for Further Processing
declined 5.9 percent, seasonally adjusted, following a 5.2-percent advance
in January.  Prices for energy materials turned down after increasing a
month earlier.  The index for foodstuffs and feedstuffs fell more than the
previous month.  Prices for basic industrial materials rose less than a
month ago.  (See table B.)

     The index for crude energy materials declined 12.4 percent following a
12.9-percent increase in January.  Prices for natural gas turned down 14.7
percent after rising 21.6 percent a month earlier.  The indexes for coal
and crude petroleum also fell after increasing in the previous month.
     
     The index for crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs declined 1.9 percent
following a decrease of 1.0 percent in January.  The February decline was
the seventh consecutive decrease for this index.  Prices for slaughter hogs
turned down 10.3 percent after rising 0.5 percent a month earlier.  Prices
for unprocessed finfish and wheat also fell after increasing a month
earlier.  The index for slaughter cattle fell more than the previous month.
Prices for alfalfa hay were unchanged following an increase in January.
The index for soybeans rose less than a month ago. By contrast, the index
for fluid milk declined 1.1 percent following a drop of 2.5 percent a month
ago.  Prices for slaughter broilers and fryers also fell less than in the
previous month.  The index for fresh fruits and melons showed no change
after declining in January.
     
     Prices for crude nonfood materials less energy advanced 1.0 percent
following a 2.0-percent advance in January.  The indexes for aluminum base
scrap increased 0.4 percent after rising 7.8 percent a month earlier.
Prices for copper base scrap turned down after moving up in the previous
month.  The indexes for iron and steel scrap and for softwood logs, bolts,
and timber rose less than the previous month.  By contrast, price declines
for raw cotton slowed to 1.3 percent from 6.6 percent a month ago.  The
index for leaf tobacco rose more than in January.  Prices for construction
sand and gravel showed no change after declining in the prior month.
     
Net output price indexes for mining, manufacturing, and other industries

Mining.  The Producer Price Index for the net output of total domestic
mining industries turned down 9.7 percent in February following a 10.1
percent advance in January.  (Net output price indexes are not seasonally
adjusted.)  In February, prices for the oil and gas extraction industry
group fell 11.7 percent after increasing 12.5 percent in the previous
month.  Prices also moved down after rising a month earlier for the
industry groups for nonmetallic minerals mining and for bituminous coal and
lignite mining.  In February, the Producer Price Index for Total Mining
Industries stood at 99.1 (December 1984=100), 18.8 percent higher than a
year earlier.
                                    -5-
Manufacturing.  The Producer Price Index for total manufacturing industries
decreased 0.2 percent in February following a 0.1 percent rise in the
previous month.  Prices turned down after increasing in the previous month
for the industry groups for printing and publishing, nonmetallic mineral
products, nonelectrical machinery, electrical and electronic machinery, and
transportation equipment.  The index for the tobacco manufactures industry
group moved down after showing no change in January.  In February, the
index for the industry group for petroleum refining declined 1.4 percent
after moving down 0.2 percent in January.  Price declines also accelerated
for the industry group for paper and allied products.  Price increases
slowed for the industry groups for food and kindred products, furniture and
fixtures, leather products, and measuring instruments.  As in January, the
index for the apparel industry group edged down 0.1 percent.  By contrast,
prices rose after showing no change in the previous month for the industry
group for textile mill products.  Prices rose more rapidly than in the
previous month for the industry groups for lumber and wood products and for
primary metal industries.  In February, the index for the net output of the
domestic manufacturing sector was 127.9 (December 1984=100), 0.9 percent
above its  year earlier level.

Other.  Among other industries in February, the index for passenger car
rental increased 11.0 percent after rising 5.8 percent in the previous
month.  Price increases also accelerated for air courier services, travel
agencies, hotels and motels, offices and clinics of doctors of medicine,
architectural services, and for accounting and bookkeeping.  Prices turned
up after falling in January for deep sea domestic transportation of
freight, crude petroleum pipelines, radio broadcasting, and for truck
rental and leasing.  The index for real estate agents and managers rose 0.8
percent after showing no change in the previous month.  Prices continued to
rise for home health care services and engineering design services.  By
contrast, prices turned down after rising in the previous month for local
trucking (without storage), nonlocal trucking, general warehousing and
storage, water transportation of freight (not elsewhere classified), air
passenger transportation, telephone communications, electric power
utilities, natural gas utilities, waste materials collection other than
metal and paper, and for operators of nonresidential buildings.  The index
for railroad line haul operations fell more in February than in January.
Price increases slowed for marine cargo handling, freight transportation
arrangement, cable and other pay television services, metal scrap
collection, recovered paper collection, skilled and intermediate care
facilities, general medical and surgical hospitals, and for legal services.
Indexes were unchanged after rising a month earlier for farm products
warehousing and storage, nonscheduled air transportation, other specialty
hospitals, and medical laboratories.

                                   *****
             Producer Price Index data for March 1997 will be
            released on Friday, April 11, at 8:30 a.m. (E.D.T.)
                                   *****
Information in this news release will be made available to sensory impaired
individuals upon request.  Voice phone: 202-606-7828; TDD phone: 202-606-
5897; TDD Message Referral phone: 1-800-326-2577.

Table 1.  Producer Price Indexes and percent changes by stage of processing
(1982=100)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
                                                 |          |                       |Unadjusted     |
                                                 |          |                       |  percent      |Seasonally adjusted
                                                 | Relative |    Unadjusted index   |change to      |percent change from:
                    Grouping                     |importance|                       |Feb. 1997 from:|
                                                 |          |_______________________|_______________|_______________________________
                                                 |   Dec.   |       |       |       |       |       |       |         |
                                                 |           Oct.   |Jan.   |Feb.   |  Feb. | Jan.  |Nov. to|Dec.  to |Jan.  to
                                                 |   1996 1/|1996 2/|1997 2/|1997 2/|  1996 | 1997  |  Dec. |   Jan.  |  Feb.
_________________________________________________|__________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_________|____________
                                                 |
Finished goods...................................|  100.000   132.7   132.6   132.2     2.2   -0.3      0.6     -0.3    -0.4
  Finished consumer goods........................|   76.405   131.2   131.1   130.5     2.8    -.5       .7      -.3     -.5
    Finished consumer foods......................|   23.635   136.6   134.0   133.8     2.4    -.1      -.1     -1.0     -.3
      Crude......................................|    1.628   136.3   129.1   131.9     8.2    2.2      -.2     -3.9     2.4
      Processed..................................|   22.007   136.6   134.3   133.9     2.0    -.3      -.1      -.8     -.5
    Finished consumer goods, excluding foods.....|   52.770   128.8   129.6   129.0     3.0    -.5      1.0      0       -.5
      Nondurable goods less foods................|   36.380   124.5   125.8   124.9     4.2    -.7      1.4      0       -.6
      Durable goods..............................|   16.390   135.2   135.0   134.9      .4    -.1       .1      -.1     0
  Capital equipment..............................|   23.595   138.9   139.0   138.8      .3    -.1       .1      0       -.1
    Manufacturing industries.....................|    6.031   137.4   137.8   137.8      .4    0         .1       .1     0
    Nonmanufacturing industries..................|   17.564   139.3   139.3   139.1      .3    -.1       .1      -.1     -.1
                                                 |
Intermediate materials, supplies, and components.|  100.000   126.0   126.4   126.2     1.2    -.2       .3       .2     -.1
  Materials and components for manufacturing.....|   49.074   128.3   128.6   128.5     -.4    -.1       .1       .1     -.1
    Materials for food manufacturing.............|    3.392   129.2   125.2   124.0     2.5   -1.0      -.2      -.8    -1.3
    Materials for nondurable manufacturing.......|   15.604   129.6   130.2   130.0    -1.8    -.2       .1       .1     -.2
    Materials for durable manufacturing..........|   10.977   130.5   132.0   132.6     1.2     .5       .5       .2      .4
    Components for manufacturing.................|   19.101   126.6   126.8   126.6     -.6    -.2      -.1       .1     -.1
  Materials and components for construction......|   12.682   144.3   145.0   145.7     2.6     .5      0         .1      .4
  Processed fuels and lubricants.................|   13.627    92.3    93.5    92.4    10.0   -1.2      2.4      1.0     -.6
    Manufacturing industries ....................|    5.387    94.1    96.4    94.9     9.0   -1.6      1.4      1.4    -1.2
    Nonmanufacturing industries..................|    8.240    91.2    91.7    90.8    10.9   -1.0      3.0       .8     -.4
  Containers.....................................|    3.536   137.9   137.9   137.4    -6.0    -.4      0        0       -.4
  Supplies.......................................|   21.081   135.9   135.6   135.5      .1    -.1      0        0       -.1
    Manufacturing industries.....................|    7.539   138.9   139.0   139.0      .4    0         .1      0       0
    Nonmanufacturing industries..................|   13.542   134.4   133.9   133.7     0      -.1      -.1      0       -.2
      Feeds......................................|    1.610   132.9   127.8   127.8     1.1    0        -.2      -.7      .1
      Other supplies.............................|   11.932   134.6   134.8   134.5     -.1    -.2      0         .1     -.2
                                                 |
Crude materials for further processing...........|  100.000   111.3   125.2   118.1     6.3   -5.7      4.9      5.2    -5.9
  Foodstuffs and feedstuffs......................|   38.897   119.6   112.4   110.7    -3.7   -1.5     -2.7     -1.0    -1.9
  Nonfood materials..............................|   61.103   101.8   129.1   118.6    13.6   -8.1     10.5      9.3    -8.3
    Nonfood materials except fuel 3/.............|   37.004   109.5   112.8   107.8     4.9   -4.4      1.4      3.1    -4.6
      Manufacturing 3/...........................|   33.419   101.3   104.6    99.4     5.2   -5.0      1.4      3.4    -5.2
      Construction...............................|    3.585   197.1   200.7   201.4     1.4     .3      -.1       .9      .3
    Crude fuel 4/................................|   24.099    79.1   144.9   125.9    29.7  -13.1     28.2     18.9   -13.1
      Manufacturing industries...................|    4.923    78.7   137.3   120.4    27.0  -12.3     25.9     17.6   -12.3
      Nonmanufacturing industries................|   19.176    80.2   148.8   129.0    30.3  -13.3     29.0     19.1   -13.3
                                                 |
               Special groupings                 |
                                                 |
Finished goods, excluding foods..................|5/ 76.365   131.5   132.1   131.6     2.1    -.4       .8      0       -.4
Intermediate materials less foods and feeds......|6/ 94.998   125.8   126.4   126.3     1.2    -.1       .4       .2     -.1
Intermediate foods and feeds.....................|6/  5.002   130.7   126.3   125.5     2.0    -.6      -.2      -.8     -.8
Crude materials less agricultural products 3/ 7/.|8/ 58.958   101.1   129.5   118.5    14.6   -8.5     10.8      9.8    -8.6
                                                 |
Finished energy goods............................|5/ 14.743    84.8    86.7    85.4     9.8   -1.5      3.4      -.2    -1.2
Finished goods less energy.......................|5/ 85.257   141.0   140.3   140.1      .9    -.1       .1      -.3     -.2
Finished consumer goods less energy..............|5/ 61.662   141.8   140.8   140.6     1.2    -.1      0        -.4     -.2
                                                 |
Finished goods less foods and energy.............|5/ 61.622   142.7   142.7   142.6      .5    -.1       .1      0       -.1
Finished consumer goods less foods and energy....|5/ 38.027   145.0   145.1   144.9      .6    -.1       .1      0       -.1
Consumer nondurable goods less foods and energy..|5/ 21.637   152.0   152.3   152.0      .7    -.2       .1       .1     -.3
                                                 |
Intermediate energy goods........................|6/ 13.751    92.1    93.3    92.2    10.0   -1.2      2.2      1.1     -.6
Intermediate materials less energy...............|6/ 86.249   133.5   133.6   133.6     -.1    0         .1      0       0
Intermediate materials less foods and energy.....|6/ 81.247   133.6   134.1   134.2     -.1     .1       .1       .1     0
                                                 |
Crude energy materials 3/........................|8/ 41.094    82.7   117.2   102.7    24.2  -12.4     16.5     12.9   -12.4
Crude materials less energy......................|8/ 58.905   127.6   123.5   122.9    -3.3    -.5     -1.9      0       -.9
Crude nonfood materials less energy 4/...........|8/ 20.009   152.3   156.1   158.3    -2.5    1.4      0        2.0     1.0
                                                 |
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
  1/  Comprehensive relative importance figures are initially computed          3/  Includes crude petroleum.
      after the publication of December indexes and are recalculated            4/  Excludes crude petroleum.
      after final December indexes are available.  The first-published          5/  Percent of total finished goods.
      and final December relative importances initially appear,                 6/  Percent of total intermediate materials.
      respectively, in the release tables containing January and May data.      7/  Formerly titled "Crude materials for
  2/  The indexes for Oct.  1996 have been recalculated to incorporate              further processing, excluding crude
      late reports and corrections by respondents.  All indexes                     foodstuffs and feedstuffs, plant and
      are subject to revision four months after original publication.               animal fibers, oilseeds, and leaf tobacco."
                                                                                8/  Percent of total crude materials.
Table 2.  Producer Price Indexes and percent changes for selected commodity groupings by stage of processing
(1982=100 unless otherwise indicated)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
           |                                                       |                       |Unadjusted     |
           |                                                       |                       | percent       |Seasonally adjusted
           |                                                       |   Unadjusted index    |change to      |percent change from:
 Commodity |                                                       |                       |Feb. 1997 from:|
   code    |                      Grouping                         |_______________________|_______________|________________________
           |                                                       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
           |                                                       |Oct.   |Jan.   |Feb.   | Feb.  | Jan.  |Nov. to|Dec. to|Jan. to
           |                                                       |1996 1/|1997 1/|1997 1/| 1996  | 1997  |  Dec. |  Jan. |  Feb.
___________|_______________________________________________________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|________
           |                                                       |
           |FINISHED GOODS.........................................| 132.7   132.6   132.2     2.2   -0.3      0.6    -0.3    -0.4
           | FINISHED CONSUMER GOODS...............................| 131.2   131.1   130.5     2.8    -.5       .7     -.3     -.5
           |  FINISHED CONSUMER FOODS..............................| 136.6   134.0   133.8     2.4    -.1      -.1    -1.0     -.3
           |                                                       |
01-11      |   Fresh fruits and melons 2/..........................| 128.1   109.0   109.0    26.7    0       11.8    -6.0     0
01-13      |   Fresh and dry vegetables 2/.........................| 113.8   108.7   123.3   -11.2   13.4    -21.4     4.2    13.4
01-71-07   |   Eggs for fresh use (Dec. 1991=100) 2/...............| 102.4   104.2   105.8     4.4    1.5     13.3   -19.8     1.5
02-11      |   Bakery products 2/..................................| 172.8   172.9   173.1     3.5     .1       .1     -.1      .1
02-13      |   Milled rice 2/......................................| 129.0   127.0   128.9     1.0    1.5       .2     0       1.5
02-14-02   |   Pasta products (June 1985=100) 2/...................| 128.7   128.3   128.5     1.3     .2      -.3      .2      .2
02-21-01   |   Beef and veal.......................................| 105.0   102.1    98.2     1.3   -3.8     -1.0    -3.8    -4.3
02-21-04   |   Pork................................................| 128.9   122.9   122.2    12.5    -.6      2.6    -2.1    -4.4
02-22-03   |   Processed young chickens............................| 126.5   121.0   118.3     2.3   -2.2       .6    -3.2    -1.3
02-22-06   |   Processed turkeys 2/................................| 104.6    97.6    98.8    -6.2    1.2     -1.2    -4.5     1.2
02-23      |   Finfish and shellfish...............................| 169.6   183.4   172.8     2.1   -5.8      1.3     1.5    -6.2
02-3       |   Dairy products......................................| 140.7   128.8   128.6     4.2    -.2     -2.0     -.5      .5
02-4       |   Processed fruits and vegetables 2/..................| 128.3   128.0   127.7     1.3    -.2      -.1     -.3     -.2
02-55      |   Confectionery end products 2/.......................| 167.5   167.7   168.0     1.6     .2      -.1      .4      .2
02-62      |   Soft drinks.........................................| 134.4   134.7   134.3     -.3    -.3      0      -1.0    -1.0
02-63-01   |   Roasted coffee 2/...................................| 128.0   127.9   128.2    -3.1     .2       .2      .3      .2
02-76      |   Shortening and cooking oils 2/......................| 137.0   136.8   136.8     -.1    0         .4      .9     0
           |                                                       |
           |  FINISHED CONSUMER GOODS EXCLUDING FOODS..............| 128.8   129.6   129.0     3.0    -.5      1.0     0       -.5
           |                                                       |
02-61      |   Alcoholic beverages.................................| 134.8   135.2   134.4     2.3    -.6      0        .6     -.9
03-81-01   |   Women's apparel 2/..................................| 120.6   119.9   120.1      .2     .2      0        .1      .2
03-81-02   |   Men's and boys' apparel.............................| 132.2   132.3   132.3      .2    0         .1     -.2     -.2
03-81-03   |   Girls', children's, and infants' apparel 2/.........| 123.5   124.3   124.4     2.2     .1       .4     0        .1
03-82      |   Textile housefurnishings 2/.........................| 123.9   123.3   122.6     1.7    -.6       .1     -.4     -.6
04-3       |   Footwear............................................| 142.2   143.1   143.8     1.9     .5       .1      .3      .3
05-41      |   Residential electric power (Dec. 1990=100)..........| 113.5   110.7   110.5     1.1    -.2      -.1     -.1      .1
05-51      |   Residential gas (Dec. 1990=100).....................| 109.4   123.6   122.2    13.6   -1.1       .9     5.0      .2
05-71      |   Gasoline............................................|  74.1    76.7    74.9    20.4   -2.3      4.0     2.6    -3.1
05-73-02-01|   Fuel oil No. 2......................................|  80.6    75.8    72.4    18.5   -4.5      5.0    -2.8    -1.1
06-35      |   Pharmaceutical preps, ethical (Prescription)........| 266.6   270.1   271.0     3.4     .3       .2     1.2     -.1
06-36      |   Pharmaceutical preps,proprietary (Over-counter).....| 184.0   185.2   185.5    -1.4     .2       .2      .3      .1
06-71      |   Soaps and synthetic detergents 2/...................| 125.2   125.4   125.4      .2    0        -.3      .2     0
06-75      |   Cosmetics and other toilet preparations 2/..........| 130.0   129.9   130.3    -1.0     .3      0        .2      .3
07-12      |   Tires, tubes, tread, etc 2/.........................|  96.2    97.1    96.0    -1.7   -1.1      0       1.3    -1.1
09-15-01   |   Sanitary papers and health products 2/..............| 148.5   147.3   146.2    -4.1    -.7       .9    -1.1     -.7
09-31-01   |   Newspaper circulation...............................| 201.7   201.8   201.7     2.4    0         .5     -.5     0
09-32-01   |   Periodical circulation..............................| 182.5   183.2   183.4     1.6     .1       .2      .2     -.4
09-33      |   Book publishing 2/..................................| 194.7   198.0   197.4     3.1    -.3      1.2      .1     -.3
12-1       |   Household furniture 2/..............................| 144.9   145.3   145.6     1.3     .2      -.1      .1      .2
12-3       |   Floor coverings 2/..................................| 128.1   127.4   129.3     3.3    1.5      -.1      .6     1.5
12-4       |   Household appliances 2/.............................| 112.4   111.5   110.9    -1.4    -.5      -.8     -.1     -.5
12-5       |   Home electronic equipment 2/........................|  78.7    78.4    78.4    -1.1    0        -.4     -.3     0
12-62      |   Household glassware 2/..............................| 157.9   158.4   158.5     2.1     .1       .1      .3      .1
12-64      |   Household flatware 2/...............................| 137.8   138.6   138.6    -1.2    0         .7     0       0
12-66      |   Lawn and garden equip., ex. tractors 2/.............| 132.6   132.9   132.9      .9    0         .2      .3     0
14-11-01   |   Passenger cars......................................| 137.3   136.5   136.6      .4     .1       .1     -.4      .2
15-11      |   Toys, games, and children's vehicles................| 125.3   125.8   124.8     -.8    -.8      0        .2    -1.4
15-12      |   Sporting and athletic goods 2/......................| 123.7   124.3   124.3     1.1    0        -.2      .5     0
15-2       |   Tobacco products 2/.................................| 239.1   239.6   239.2     2.6    -.2       .3      .1     -.2
15-5       |   Mobile homes 2/.....................................| 150.5   151.0   150.8     1.5    -.1      -.1     -.1     -.1
15-94-02   |   Jewelry, platinum, & karat gold 2/..................| 129.6   128.5   127.7    -1.5    -.6      -.3     -.5     -.6
15-94-04   |   Costume jewelry and novelties 2/....................| 138.6   138.6   138.3     2.5    -.2      0        .1     -.2
           |                                                       |
           | CAPITAL EQUIPMENT.....................................| 138.9   139.0   138.8      .3    -.1       .1     0       -.1
           |                                                       |
11-1       |   Agricultural machinery and equipment 2/.............| 147.4   146.9   147.1      .3     .1      -.1      .4      .1
11-2       |   Construction machinery and equipment................| 140.3   141.7   142.1     1.9     .3      0        .4      .1
11-37      |   Metal cutting machine tools 2/......................| 154.0   154.3   154.4     2.3     .1       .3     -.3      .1
11-38      |   Metal forming machine tools 2/......................| 150.3   150.9   152.9     3.0    1.3       .3     0       1.3
11-39      |   Tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, and ind. molds 2/......| 136.5   137.3   137.3     1.5    0         .5     0       0
11-41      |   Pumps, compressors, and equipment...................| 144.0   144.7   145.2     1.8     .3       .2     -.3      .4
11-44      |   Industrial material handling equipment 2/...........| 127.9   128.6   128.7     1.7     .1       .2      .3      .1
11-51      |   Electronic computers (Dec. 1990=100) 2/.............|  40.1    38.3    36.3   -21.4   -5.2     -2.3     -.3    -5.2
11-62      |   Textile machinery 2/................................| 149.1   151.1   151.1     2.4    0         .1     1.1     0
11-64      |   Paper industries machinery (June 1982=100)..........| 153.9   155.2   157.0     2.4    1.2       .3     -.2     1.0
11-65      |   Printing trades machinery 2/........................| 137.9   138.5   139.3     2.8     .6      -.1      .1      .6
11-74      |   Transformers and power regulators 2/................| 128.8   129.2   129.3    -1.6     .1      -.1      .2      .1
11-76      |   Communication & related equip. (Dec. 1985=100) 2/...| 113.2   113.9   114.0      .8     .1      1.1      .7      .1
11-79-05   |   X-ray and electromedical equipment 2/...............| 109.2   108.4   107.6    -3.2    -.7      -.5     -.1     -.7
11-91      |   Oil field and gas field machinery 2/................| 118.5   121.0   121.0     3.4    0         .5     1.3     0
11-92      |   Mining machinery and equipment 2/...................| 139.7   138.3   138.4     -.1     .1       .1     -.2      .1
11-93      |   Office and store machines and equipment 2/..........| 111.7   111.7   111.8     -.8     .1      0       0        .1
12-2       |   Commercial furniture 2/.............................| 153.0   153.3   153.0     1.1    -.2       .1      .3     -.2
14-11-05   |   Light motor trucks..................................| 163.2   163.2   162.2      .9    -.6       .1      .4     -.3
14-11-06   |   Heavy motor trucks..................................| 142.3   140.9   141.7    -3.3     .6       .3    -1.8      .1
14-14      |   Truck trailers 2/...................................| 130.0   130.1   130.1    -1.5    0        0       -.1     0
14-21-02   |   Civilian aircraft (Dec. 1985=100)...................| 148.8   149.3   149.3     2.7    0         .3     -.3     0
14-31      |   Ships (Dec. 1985=100) 2/............................| 144.7   142.7   142.7     5.5    0         .6     2.0     0
14-4       |   Railroad equipment..................................| 137.0   136.3   136.4     -.9     .1       .1     -.1     -.5
           |                                                       |
           |INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, AND COMPONENTS.......| 126.0   126.4   126.2     1.2    -.2       .3      .2     -.1
           |                                                       |
           | INTERMEDIATE FOODS AND FEEDS..........................| 130.7   126.3   125.5     2.0    -.6      -.2     -.8     -.8
           |                                                       |
02-12-03   |   Flour 2/............................................| 129.1   121.1   122.7   -12.7    1.3      1.0    -2.1     1.3
02-53      |   Refined sugar 2/....................................| 124.1   126.3   125.0     3.2   -1.0       .9      .9    -1.0
02-54      |   Confectionery materials.............................| 110.5   109.9   107.1      .7   -2.5       .6     -.1    -2.5
02-72      |   Crude vegetable oils 2/.............................| 111.3   115.0   112.6    -5.0   -2.1       .5     4.1    -2.1
02-9       |   Prepared animal feeds 2/............................| 135.3   131.6   131.6     1.7    0         .5     -.7     0
           |                                                       |
           | INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS LESS FOODS AND FEEDS...........| 125.8   126.4   126.3     1.2    -.1       .4      .2     -.1
           |                                                       |
03-1       |   Synthetic fibers 2/.................................| 112.0   113.3   113.5     2.1     .2      0       1.3      .2
03-2       |   Processed yarns and threads 2/......................| 114.9   114.9   114.9      .3    0        0        .1     0
03-3       |   Gray fabrics 2/.....................................| 121.6   121.4   121.7      .7     .2       .9     -.2      .2
03-4       |   Finished fabrics....................................| 123.7   123.8   123.8      .5    0         .1     -.3     0
03-83-03   |   Industrial textile products 2/......................| 128.1   127.5   126.5     4.1    -.8       .4     -.7     -.8
04-2       |   Leather.............................................| 177.4   182.5   185.3     2.4    1.5      -.1     1.3     1.3
05-32      |   Liquefied petroleum gas 2/..........................|  95.4   118.5   109.9    44.6   -7.3      9.3     5.6    -7.3
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
See footnotes at end of table.

Table 2.  Producer Price Indexes and percent changes for selected commodity groupings by stage of processing - Continued
(1982=100 unless otherwise indicated)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
           |                                                       |                       |Unadjusted     |
           |                                                       |                       | percent       |Seasonally adjusted
           |                                                       |   Unadjusted index    |change to      |percent change from:
 Commodity |                                                       |                       |Feb. 1997 from:|
   code    |                      Grouping                         |_______________________|_______________|________________________
           |                                                       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
           |                                                       |Oct.   |Jan.   |Feb.   | Feb.  | Jan.  |Nov. to|Dec. to|Jan. to
           |                                                       |1996 1/|1997 1/|1997 1/| 1996  | 1997  |  Dec. |  Jan. |  Feb.
___________|_______________________________________________________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|________
           |                                                       |
           | INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS LESS FOODS AND FEEDS           |
           |   -Continued..........................................|
05-42      |   Commercial electric power...........................| 131.3   127.7   127.6     1.3   -0.1     -0.6     0.4     0.1
05-43      |   Industrial electric power...........................| 131.2   128.1   127.9      .6    -.2     -1.8      .4      .1
05-52      |   Commercial natural gas (Dec. 1990=100)..............|  99.4   122.0   119.1    15.6   -2.4      6.5     6.0    -2.5
05-53      |   Industrial natural gas (Dec. 1990=100)..............|  96.1   131.5   122.2    26.2   -7.1      5.3    17.5    -6.4
05-54      |   Natural gas to electric utilities (Dec. 1990=100)...|  81.8   111.7   114.8    18.0    2.8     18.3    13.8      .8
05-72-03   |   Jet fuels...........................................|  75.5    74.6    74.3    30.4    -.4      5.2     3.2     2.7
05-73-03   |   No. 2 Diesel fuel...................................|  80.2    73.1    72.4    21.9   -1.0      5.2    -2.0     1.6
05-74      |   Residual fuel 2/....................................|  61.7    66.1    67.6    18.4    2.3     -1.6     6.6     2.3
06-1       |   Industrial chemicals 2/.............................| 126.9   128.0   128.6     2.8     .5       .5     -.5      .5
06-21      |   Prepared paint......................................| 149.3   150.1   150.9     4.4     .5      2.2     -.3      .4
06-22      |   Paint materials 2/..................................| 139.5   140.5   140.6    -1.3     .1      -.4      .5      .1
06-31      |   Medicinal and botanical chemicals 2/................| 128.7   129.5   129.2     1.0    -.2      0        .5     -.2
06-4       |   Fats and oils, inedible 2/..........................| 143.8   150.6   146.9    21.0   -2.5     10.2     9.4    -2.5
06-51      |   Mixed fertilizers...................................| 113.7   112.7   113.3    -1.5     .5      -.2    -1.7     0
06-52-01   |   Nitrogenates........................................| 129.8   135.1   136.4     1.6    1.0      1.3    -2.2     -.2
06-52-02   |   Phosphates 2/.......................................| 111.8   112.8   111.7    -8.0   -1.0     -2.0     1.4    -1.0
06-53      |   Other agricultural chemicals........................| 146.7   146.1   142.3    -2.9   -2.6      -.3     -.6    -2.7
06-6       |   Plastic resins and materials 2/.....................| 138.0   137.2   138.3     7.7     .8      -.1     -.7      .8
07-11-02   |   Synthetic rubber 2/.................................| 121.5   122.1   121.6    -1.1    -.4       .3     -.1     -.4
07-21      |   Plastic construction products 2/....................| 130.5   127.2   128.9    -1.5    1.3      -.7    -1.5     1.3
07-22      |   Unsupported plastic film, sheet, & other shapes.....| 132.5   132.5   132.1    -1.1    -.3      -.5     -.3     -.3
07-26      |   Plastic parts and components for manufacturing 2/...| 117.4   117.4   117.4     -.2    0         .1     0       0
08-11      |   Softwood lumber 2/..................................| 193.7   204.3   207.5    21.6    1.6     -1.0      .7     1.6
08-12      |   Hardwood lumber 2/..................................| 164.3   168.4   168.9     3.0     .3       .5     1.5      .3
08-2       |   Millwork 2/.........................................| 168.7   169.8   170.2     3.9     .2      -.1      .4      .2
08-3       |   Plywood 2/..........................................| 160.1   154.6   159.1     3.2    2.9     -1.3     -.7     2.9
09-11      |   Woodpulp 2/.........................................| 128.2   128.7   127.0   -20.8   -1.3      -.6     1.2    -1.3
09-13      |   Paper 2/............................................| 142.3   140.9   140.0   -13.0    -.6      0       -.2     -.6
09-14      |   Paperboard 2/.......................................| 146.6   148.4   144.3   -16.4   -2.8      -.1      .1    -2.8
09-15-03   |   Paper boxes and containers 2/.......................| 148.0   148.0   147.2   -10.2    -.5      -.1      .1     -.5
09-2       |   Building paper and board 2/.........................| 138.7   132.0   130.8    -5.4    -.9     -1.9    -1.2     -.9
09-37      |   Commercial printing (June 1982=100) 2/..............| 148.2   147.9   148.0     0       .1       .4     0        .1
10-15      |   Foundry and forge shop products.....................| 133.0   133.4   133.8     1.3     .3       .1      .1      .1
10-17      |   Steel mill products 2/..............................| 116.0   115.7   116.0      .7     .3      -.4     -.3      .3
10-22      |   Primary nonferrous metals 2/........................| 114.4   124.5   126.3    -4.2    1.4      4.8     2.6     1.4
10-25-01   |   Aluminum mill shapes 2/.............................| 140.3   142.5   144.9    -2.1    1.7      1.2     1.4     1.7
10-25-02   |   Copper and brass mill shapes 2/.....................| 169.6   178.6   177.9    -3.2    -.4      1.7     1.2     -.4
10-26      |   Nonferrous wire and cable 2/........................| 145.6   147.9   148.4     -.1     .3      1.0      .5      .3
10-3       |   Metal containers 2/.................................| 108.5   107.9   108.1    -2.2     .2       .6    -1.1      .2
10-4       |   Hardware............................................| 144.6   144.8   144.6     1.0    -.1       .1      .1     -.1
10-5       |   Plumbing fixtures and brass fittings................| 171.6   171.9   174.7     2.6    1.6       .2     -.2     1.0
10-6       |   Heating equipment...................................| 151.8   152.1   152.0     1.0    -.1       .1     -.7     -.3
10-7       |   Fabricated structural metal products................| 138.6   139.0   139.2     1.7     .1       .1      .1      .2
10-88      |   Fabricated ferrous wire products (June 1982=100) 2/.| 126.9   126.9   127.0      .8     .1      -.4     0        .1
10-89      |   Other misc. metal products 2/.......................| 126.0   126.2   126.4      .9     .2       .1      .1      .2
11-45      |   Mechanical power transmission equipment.............| 151.6   153.4   154.4     2.1     .7      -.2     0        .6
11-48      |   Air conditioning and refrigeration equipment........| 132.6   132.6   132.2     -.3    -.3       .4     -.6     -.6
11-49-02   |   Metal valves, ex.fluid power (Dec. 1982=100) 2/.....| 150.2   151.4   151.9     1.9     .3       .2      .1      .3
11-49-05   |   Ball and roller bearings............................| 158.7   160.9   160.5     2.0    -.2      0        .4     -.4
11-71      |   Wiring devices......................................| 151.6   152.5   152.6     1.6     .1       .1      .3     -.3
11-73      |   Motors, generators, motor generator sets............| 144.6   144.3   144.5    -1.2     .1      -.1    -1.3     0
11-75      |   Switchgear, switchboard, etc., equipment............| 142.7   144.6   145.0     2.1     .3       .2     -.1      .2
11-78      |   Electronic components and accessories 2/............| 107.3   107.0   106.1    -5.4    -.8      -.5     -.3     -.8
11-94      |   Internal combustion engines.........................| 139.4   139.7   139.7     1.5    0        -.1     -.4     -.2
11-95      |   Machine shop products 2/............................| 134.4   134.9   134.9     1.6    0        -.1      .2     0
13-11      |   Flat glass 2/.......................................| 109.2   109.2   108.8    -2.8    -.4       .3     -.5     -.4
13-22      |   Cement..............................................| 136.4   136.4   136.7     5.1     .2       .3      .9      .4
13-3       |   Concrete products...................................| 133.8   135.1   135.1     2.3    0         .1     -.1      .1
13-6       |   Asphalt felts and coatings 2/.......................| 100.1    99.7    99.9     -.5     .2      -.7     0        .2
13-7       |   Gypsum products 2/..................................| 162.2   168.5   167.5    12.0    -.6       .1     2.7     -.6
13-8       |   Glass containers 2/.................................| 127.4   127.9   125.9    -3.3   -1.6      0      -1.1    -1.6
14-12      |   Motor vehicle parts 2/..............................| 116.2   115.4   115.2     -.9    -.2      -.1     -.3     -.2
14-23      |   Aircraft engines & engine parts (Dec. 1985=100).....| 134.8   136.4   137.4     1.9     .7       .3      .1      .9
14-25      |   Aircraft parts & aux.equip.,nec (June 1985=100) 2/..| 139.3   141.0   140.5      .6    -.4       .1     2.0     -.4
15-42      |   Photographic supplies 2/............................| 129.7   129.3   129.3     -.4    0        0       -.3     0
15-6       |   Medical/surgical/personal aid devices...............| 142.4   143.5   143.8      .3     .2       .1      .3     -.2
           |                                                       |
           | CRUDE MATERIALS FOR FURTHER PROCESSING................| 111.3   125.2   118.1     6.3   -5.7      4.9     5.2    -5.9
           |                                                       |
           |  CRUDE FOODSTUFFS AND FEEDSTUFFS......................| 119.6   112.4   110.7    -3.7   -1.5     -2.7    -1.0    -1.9
           |                                                       |
01-21      |   Wheat 2/............................................| 118.6   114.7   112.4   -21.2   -2.0     -2.8      .6    -2.0
01-22-02-05|   Corn................................................| 117.3   107.6   108.4   -26.8     .7     -7.5     -.1      .9
01-31      |   Slaughter cattle....................................| 101.9    95.8    94.0      .1   -1.9     -4.5    -1.4    -2.3
01-32      |   Slaughter hogs......................................|  92.2    89.0    87.4    13.1   -1.8     -3.2      .5   -10.3
01-41-02   |   Slaughter broilers/fryers...........................| 151.1   150.8   140.1    10.4   -7.1      5.8    -4.7    -2.9
01-42      |   Slaughter turkeys...................................| 127.6    98.9    99.8   -16.9     .9      1.3    -5.2      .7
01-6       |   Fluid milk..........................................| 116.9    99.0    96.3    -4.7   -2.7     -4.6    -2.5    -1.1
01-83-01-31|   Soybeans............................................| 117.6   124.4   127.1     4.5    2.2     -3.7     6.5     3.7
02-52-01-01|   Cane sugar,raw 2/...................................| 119.6   117.6   115.2    -3.2   -2.0      -.2     -.3    -2.0
 
           |                                                       |
           |  CRUDE NONFOOD MATERIALS..............................| 101.8   129.1   118.6    13.6   -8.1     10.5     9.3    -8.3
           |                                                       |
01-51-01-01|   Raw cotton..........................................| 120.3   116.6   116.7   -14.2     .1      1.0    -6.6    -1.3
01-92-01-01|   Leaf tobacco 2/.....................................| 112.6   116.1   121.7     2.4    4.8      (3)     2.6     4.8
04-11      |   Cattle hides 2/.....................................| 204.8   207.0   207.7    18.2     .3      0       1.0      .3
05-1       |   Coal 2/.............................................|  93.3    97.0    93.4    -2.0   -3.7      -.4     3.0    -3.7
05-31      |   Natural gas 2/......................................|  75.2   153.6   131.0    35.8  -14.7     34.1    21.6   -14.7
05-61      |   Crude petroleum 2/..................................|  72.0    74.0    65.0    23.1  -12.2      3.9     4.1   -12.2
08-5       |   Logs, timber, etc. 2/...............................| 208.8   213.6   215.2      .6     .7     -1.0     2.1      .7
09-12      |   Wastepaper 2/.......................................| 146.2   152.5   153.8    -5.6     .9     -1.4     4.7      .9
10-11      |   Iron ore 2/.........................................|  96.7    99.7    99.7     2.2    0        0       3.1     0
10-12      |   Iron and steel scrap 2/.............................| 183.4   180.9   190.3    -5.5    5.2      -.8     6.4     5.2
10-21      |   Nonferrous metal ores (Dec. 1983=100) 2/............|  83.2    84.1    84.1   -13.0    0         .4    -1.1     0
10-23-01   |   Copper base scrap 2/................................| 151.8   169.8   164.7    -6.8   -3.0      3.6     7.5    -3.0
10-23-02   |   Aluminum base scrap.................................| 160.0   188.9   195.7     9.6    3.6      1.9     7.8      .4
13-21      |   Construction sand, gravel, and crushed stone........| 146.1   146.9   147.0     1.8     .1       .3     -.2     0
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
1/  The indexes for October 1996 have been recalculated                              2/  Not seasonally adjusted.
    to incorporate late reports and corrections by respondents.                      3/  Not available.
    All indexes are subject to revision four months after original
    publication.
 
 
 
 
 
 Table 3.  Producer Price Indexes for selected commodity groupings
 (1982=100 unless otherwise indicated)
 _______________________________________________________________________________________________
          |                                                |                                   |
          |                                                |         Unadjusted index 1/       |
 Commodity|                                                |___________________________________|
   code   |                    Grouping                    | Oct. 1996 | Jan. 1997 | Feb. 1997 |
 _________|________________________________________________|___________|___________|___________|
          |                                                |           |           |           |
          | Finished Goods (1967=100)......................|   372.5   |   372.2   |   371.0   |
          | All commodities................................|   128.0   |   129.7   |   128.7   |
          |                                                |           |           |           |
          |                                                |           |           |           |
          |            MAJOR COMMODITY GROUPS              |           |           |           |
          |                                                |           |           |           |
          | Farm products and processed foods and feeds....|   130.8   |   126.9   |   126.3   |
 01       |   Farm products................................|   120.2   |   113.0   |   112.6   |
 02       |   Processed foods and feeds....................|   136.0   |   133.8   |   133.0   |
          |                                                |           |           |           |
          | Industrial commodities.........................|   127.5   |   130.2   |   129.2   |
 03       |   Textile products and apparel.................|   122.9   |   122.8   |   122.8   |
 04       |   Hides, skins, leather, and related products..|   153.1   |   155.1   |   156.2   |
 05       |   Fuels and related products and power 2/......|    86.8   |    95.7   |    91.6   |
 06       |   Chemicals and allied products 2/.............|   143.0   |   143.7   |   143.9   |
 07       |   Rubber and plastic products..................|   123.7   |   123.4   |   123.4   |
 08       |   Lumber and wood products.....................|   177.8   |   180.9   |   182.8   |
 09       |   Pulp, paper, and allied products.............|   166.9   |   167.5   |   166.8   |
 10       |   Metals and metal products....................|   129.4   |   130.8   |   131.5   |
 11       |   Machinery and equipment......................|   126.2   |   126.5   |   126.2   |
 12       |   Furniture and household durables.............|   130.9   |   130.8   |   130.9   |
 13       |   Nonmetallic mineral products.................|   131.7   |   132.4   |   132.5   |
 14       |   Transportation equipment.....................|   142.9   |   142.7   |   142.6   |
 15       |   Miscellaneous products.......................|   148.3   |   148.9   |   149.0   |
          |                                                |           |           |           |
          | Industrial commodities less fuels and related  |           |           |           |
          |   products and power...........................|   138.6   |   139.1   |   139.2   |
          |                                                |           |           |           |
          |                                                |           |           |           |
          |             OTHER COMMODITY GROUPINGS          |           |           |           |
          |                                                |           |           |           |
 01-1     | Fruits and melons, fresh and dry vegetables,   |           |           |           |
          |   and tree nuts................................|   130.3   |   115.4   |   121.2   |
 01-2     | Grains.........................................|   118.8   |   111.1   |   111.0   |
 01-3     | Slaughter livestock............................|   100.5   |    95.4   |    93.8   |
 01-4     | Slaughter poultry..............................|   144.3   |   138.1   |   130.2   |
 01-5     | Plant and animal fibers........................|   119.9   |   116.4   |   116.5   |
 01-7     | Chicken eggs...................................|   128.8   |   125.8   |   129.4   |
 01-8     | Hay, hayseeds, and oilseeds....................|   140.4   |   147.6   |   149.6   |
 01-83    | Oilseeds.......................................|   128.0   |   134.7   |   137.0   |
 01-9     | Other farm products............................|   167.9   |   173.1   |   181.5   |
 02-1     | Cereal and bakery products.....................|   159.6   |   158.0   |   158.4   |
 02-2     | Meats, poultry, and fish.......................|   121.0   |   119.0   |   116.7   |
 02-22    | Processed poultry..............................|   122.8   |   118.5   |   117.3   |
 02-5     | Sugar and confectionery........................|   138.5   |   138.8   |   137.9   |
 02-6     | Beverages and beverage materials...............|   135.4   |   135.7   |   135.2   |
 02-63    | Packaged beverage materials....................|   126.6   |   126.5   |   126.8   |
 02-7     | Fats and oils..................................|   126.6   |   129.3   |   128.6   |
 03-81    | Apparel........................................|   125.5   |   125.4   |   125.4   |
 04-4     | Other leather and related products.............|   141.2   |   141.9   |   142.6   |
 05-3     | Gas fuels 2/...................................|    79.5   |   142.5   |   123.8   |
 05-4     | Electric power.................................|   131.9   |   128.5   |   128.3   |
 05-7     | Refined petroleum products.....................|    74.2   |    74.3   |    73.0   |
 06-3     | Drugs and pharmaceuticals......................|   215.4   |   216.9   |   217.5   |
 06-5     | Agricultural chemicals and products............|   132.2   |   133.3   |   131.9   |
 06-7     | Other chemicals and allied products............|   132.8   |   132.8   |   132.6   |
 07-1     | Rubber and rubber products.....................|   116.1   |   116.8   |   116.2   |
 07-11    | Rubber, except natural rubber..................|   120.9   |   121.5   |   120.9   |
 07-13    | Miscellaneous rubber products..................|   136.7   |   137.2   |   137.3   |
 07-2     | Plastic products...............................|   130.5   |   129.8   |   130.0   |
 08-1     | Lumber.........................................|   182.8   |   191.3   |   193.7   |
 09-1     | Pulp, paper, and products, excluding building  |           |           |           |
          |   paper and board..............................|   145.2   |   145.2   |   144.0   |
 09-15    | Converted paper and paperboard products........|   150.5   |   150.3   |   149.5   |
 10-1     | Iron and steel.................................|   125.5   |   125.2   |   126.4   |
 10-2     | Nonferrous metals..............................|   130.1   |   135.6   |   136.8   |
 10-25    | Nonferrous mill shapes.........................|   139.0   |   141.9   |   143.5   |
 11-3     | Metalworking machinery and equipment...........|   143.6   |   144.4   |   144.5   |
 11-4     | General purpose machinery and equipment........|   143.0   |   143.8   |   143.9   |
 11-6     | Special industry machinery.....................|   154.0   |   155.3   |   155.6   |
 11-7     | Electrical machinery and equipment.............|   122.9   |   123.2   |   123.0   |
 11-9     | Miscellaneous machinery and equipment..........|   129.8   |   130.2   |   130.2   |
 12-6     | Other household durable goods..................|   148.4   |   149.4   |   149.2   |
 13-2     | Concrete ingredients...........................|   140.0   |   140.6   |   140.7   |
 14-1     | Motor vehicles and equipment...................|   135.2   |   134.6   |   134.4   |
 15-1     | Toys, sporting goods, small arms, etc..........|   130.8   |   131.4   |   131.1   |
 15-4     | Photographic equipment and supplies............|   120.4   |   118.6   |   118.6   |
 15-9     | Other miscellaneous products...................|   132.8   |   133.3   |   132.9   |
 __________________________________________________________|___________|___________|___________|
 
 1/  Data for  Oct. 1996 have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports 
     and corrections by respondents.  All data are subject to revision 4 months after 
     original publication.
 
 2/  Prices of some items in this grouping are lagged 1 month.
 
 Table 4.  Producer price indexes for the net output of major industry groups, not seasonally adjusted
 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
                   |                                              |     |         Index         |  Percent change
   Industry        |                Industry 1/                   |Index|_______________________|to_Feb._1997_from:__
     code          |                                              |base |       |       |       |        |
                   |                                              |     |Oct.   |Jan.   |Feb.   |  Feb.  |  Jan.
                   |                                              |     |1996 2/|1997 2/|1997 2/|  1996  |  1997
 __________________|______________________________________________|_____|_______|_______|_______|________|___________
                   |                                              |     |
                   |Total mining industries...................... |12/84|  83.0   109.8    99.1    18.8    -9.7
        10         | Metal mining................................ |12/84|  86.6    88.1    87.9    -9.8     -.2
        12         | Coal mining................................. |12/85|  90.5    92.8    90.7    -1.3    -2.3
        13         | Oil and gas extraction...................... |12/85|  83.7   119.2   105.3    27.5   -11.7
        14         | Mining and quarrying of non-metallic         |     |
                   |  minerals, except fuels..................... |12/84| 127.3   127.7   127.6      .9     -.1
                   |                                              |     |
                   |Total manufacturing industries............... |12/84| 128.2   128.2   127.9     1.8     -.2
        20         | Food and kindred products................... |12/84| 129.8   127.6   127.1     2.2     -.4
        21         | Tobacco manufactures........................ |12/84| 201.1   201.5   201.1     3.1     -.2
        22         | Textile mill products....................... |12/84| 118.6   118.5   119.1     1.4      .5
        23         | Apparel and other finished products made     |     |
                   |  from fabrics and similar materials......... |12/84| 123.1   123.0   122.9     1.1     -.1
        24         | Lumber and wood products, except furniture.. |12/84| 154.6   156.5   157.7     4.6      .8
        25         | Furniture and fixtures...................... |12/84| 137.1   137.4   137.5     1.3      .1
        26         | Paper and allied products................... |12/84| 134.9   134.5   133.5    -8.6     -.7
        27         | Printing, publishing, and allied industries. |12/84| 166.4   167.9   167.7     1.8     -.1
        28         | Chemicals and allied products............... |12/84| 146.8   147.2   147.2     1.9     0
        29         | Petroleum refining and related products..... |12/84|  92.0    92.7    91.4    18.2    -1.4
        30         | Rubber and miscellaneous plastic products... |12/84| 123.1   122.9   122.9     0       0
        31         | Leather and leather products................ |12/84| 135.1   136.7   137.6     2.2      .7
        32         | Stone, clay, glass, and concrete products... |12/84| 126.2   127.0   126.9     1.3     -.1
        33         | Primary metal industries.................... |12/84| 122.7   123.5   123.9     -.4      .3
        34         | Fabricated metal products, except machinery  |     |
                   |  and transportation equipment............... |12/84| 126.5   126.8   127.0     1.0      .2
        35         | Machinery, except electrical................ |12/84| 118.9   119.2   118.9     -.7     -.3
        36         | Electrical and electronic machinery,         |     |
                   |  equipment, and supplies.................... |12/84| 112.7   112.6   112.2    -1.5     -.4
        37         | Transportation equipment.................... |12/84| 135.4   135.4   135.3      .8     -.1
        38         | Measuring and controlling instruments;       |     |
                   |  photographic, medical, optical goods;       |     |
                   |  watches, clocks............................ |12/84| 125.1   125.4   125.5      .2      .1
        39         | Miscellaneous manufacturing industries...... |12/85| 128.3   128.9   128.6      .8     -.2
                   |                                              |     |
                   |Services industries                           |     |
        40         | Railroad transportation..................... |12/96|  (3)    100.0    98.7     (3)    -1.3
        42         | Motor freight transportation and warehousing |06/93| 106.9   108.5   108.4     2.4     -.1
        43         | United states postal service................ |06/89| 132.3   132.3   132.3     0       0
        44         | Water transportation........................ |12/92| 104.6   104.8   104.3      .5     -.5
        45         | Transportation by air....................... |12/92| 122.4   128.5   128.2     7.6     -.2
        46         | Pipe lines, except natural gas.............. |12/86| 100.9    98.8    98.8   -10.7     0
        80         | Health services............................. |12/94| 105.2   105.7   106.0     1.7      .3
        81         | Legal services.............................. |12/96|  (3)    101.4   101.9     (3)      .5
 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 1/ Indexes in this table are derived from the net-output-weighted industry price indexes. Because of differences in 
    coverage and aggregation methodology, they will generally not match the movements of similarly-titled indexes 
    which are derived from traditional commodity groupings.
 2/ The indexes for Oct. 1996 have been recalculated to incorporate late reports and corrections by respondents.
    All indexes are subject to revision four months  after original publication.
 3/ Not available.
Technical Notes





Brief Explanation of
Producer Price Indexes

     Producer price indexes (PPI) measure average changes in
prices received by domestic producers of commodities in all
stages of processing. Most of the information used in
calculating the indexes is obtained through the systematic
sampling of nearly every industry in the manufacturing and
mining sectors of the economy. The PPI program also includes
some information from other sectors--agriculture, fishing,
forestry, services, and gas and electricity. Because
producer price indexes are designed to measure only the
change in prices received for the output of domestic
industries, imports are not included. The sample currently
contains about 3,200 commodities and 80,000 quotations per
month.
     There are three primary systems of indexes within the
PPI program: (1) Stage of processing indexes; (2) commodity
indexes; and (3) indexes for the net output of industries
and their products. The stage-of-processing structure
(tables 1 and 2) organizes products by class of buyer and
degree of processing. The commodity structure (tables 2 and
3) organizes products by similarity of end-use or material
composition. The entire output of various industries is
sampled to derive price indexes for the net output of
industries and their products (table 4).
     Within the stage-of-processing system, finished goods
are commodities that will not undergo further processing and
are ready for sale to the final demand user, either an
individual consumer or business firm. Consumer foods include
unprocessed foods such as eggs and fresh vegetables, as well
as processed foods such as bakery products and meats. Other
finished consumer goods include durable goods such as
automobiles, household furniture, and appliances, and
nondurable goods such as apparel and home heating oil.
Capital equipment includes producer durable goods such as
heavy motor trucks, tractors, and machine tools.
     The stage-of-processing category for intermediate
materials, supplies, and components consists partly of
commodities that have been processed but require further
processing. Examples of such semifinished goods include
flour, cotton yarn, steel mill products, and lumber. The
intermediate goods category also encompasses nondurable,
physically complete items purchased by business firms as
inputs for their operations. Examples include diesel fuel,
belts and belting, paper boxes, and fertilizers.
     Crude materials for further processing are products
entering the market for the first time that have not been
manufactured or fabricated and that are not sold directly to
consumers. Crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs include items
such as grains and livestock. Examples of crude nonfood
materials include raw cotton, crude petroleum, coal, hides
and skins, and iron and steel scrap.
     Producer price indexes for the net output of industries
and their products are grouped according to the Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC) and the Census product code
extension of the SIC. Industry price indexes are compatible
with other economic time series organized by SIC codes, such
as data on employment, wages, and productivity. Table 4
lists indexes for the net output of major mining and
manufacturing industry groups at the 2-digit level.
     Producer price indexes are based on selling prices
reported by establishments of all sizes selected by
probability sampling, with the probability of selection
proportionate to size. Individual items and transaction
terms from these firms are also chosen by probability
proportionate to size. BLS strongly encourages cooperating
companies to supply actual transaction prices at the time of
shipment to minimize the use of list prices. Prices are
normally reported by mail questionnaire for the Tuesday of
the week containing the 13th.
     Price data are provided on a voluntary and confidential
basis; no one but sworn BLS employees are allowed access to
individual company price reports. All producer price indexes
are routinely subject to revision once, 4 months after
original publication, to reflect the availability of late
reports and corrections by respondents.
     Net output values of shipments are used as weights for
industry indexes. Net output values refer to the value of
shipments from establishments in one industry to
establishments classified in another industry. However,
weights for commodity price indexes are based on gross
shipment values, including shipment values between
establishments within the same industry. As a result, broad
commodity grouping indexes such as the all commodities index
are affected by the multiple counting of price change at
successive stages of processing, which can lead to
exaggerated or misleading signals about inflation. Stage-of-
processing indexes partially correct this defect, but
industry indexes consistently correct for this at all levels
of aggregation. Therefore, industry and stage-of-processing
indexes are more appropriate than broad commodity groupings
for economic analysis of general price trends.
     Weights for most traditional commodity groupings of the
PPI, as well as all indexes (such as stage-of-processing
indexes) calculated from traditional commodity groupings,
currently reflect 1987 values of shipments as reported in
the Census of Manufactures and other sources. From January
1987 through December 1991, PPI weights were derived from
1982 shipment values. Industry indexes shown in table 4 are
also now calculated with 1987 net output weights.
     Effective with publication of January 1988 data, many
important PPI series (including stage-of-processing
groupings and most commodity groups and individual items)
were placed on a new reference base, 1982=100, to coincide
with the reference year of the shipment weights. From 1971
through 1987, the standard reference base for most PPI
series was 1967=100. Except for rounding differences, the
shift to the new reference base did not alter any changes to
previously published percent changes for affected PPI
series. (See "Calculating Index Changes," below.) The new
reference base is not used for indexes with a base later
than December 1981, nor for indexes for the net output of
industries and their products.
     For further information on the underlying concepts and
methodology of the Producer Price Index, see chapter 16,
"Producer Prices," in BLS Handbook of Methods (September
1992), Bulletin 2414. Reprints are available from the Bureau
of Labor Statistics on request.

Calculating Index Changes

     Movements of price indexes from one month to another
are usually expressed as percent changes rather than as
changes in index points because index point chances are
affected by the level of the index in relation to its base
period, while percent changes are not. The box shows the
computation of index point and percent changes.
     Percent changes for 3-month and 6-month periods can be
expressed as annual rates that are computed according to the
standard formula for compound growth rates. These data
indicate what the percent change would be if the rate for a
given 3- or 6-month span were maintained for a 12-month
period.





                Index Point Change

     Finished Goods Price Index    107.5
     Less previous index           104.0
     Equals index point change       3.5

          Index Percent Change

     Index point change              3.5
     Divided by the previous index 104.0
     Equals                          0.034
     Result multiplied by 100        0.034 x 100
     Equals percent change           3.4

     Each index measures price changes from a reference
period which equals 100.0 (1982 or some later month). An
increase of 5.5 percent from the reference period in the
Finished Goods Price Index, for example, is shown as 105.5.
This change can also be expressed in dollars as follows:
"Prices received by domestic producers of a systematic
sample of finished goods have risen from $100 in 1982 to
$105.50 to-day." Likewise, a current index of 90.0 would
indicate that prices received by producers of finished goods
today are 10 percent lower than they were in 1982.

Seasonally Adjusted
and Unadjusted Data

     Because price data are used for different purposes by
different groups, the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes
seasonally adjusted as well as unadjusted changes each
month.
     Seasonally adjusted data are preferred for analyzing
general price trends in the economy because they eliminate
the effect of changes that normally occur at about the same
time and in about the same magnitude every year-such as
price movements resulting from normal weather patterns,
regular production and marketing cycles, model changeovers,
seasonal discounts, and holidays. For these reasons,
seasonally adjusted data more clearly reveal underlying
cyclical trends.
     Unadjusted data are of primary interest to users who
need information which can be related to actual dollar
values of transactions. Individuals requiring this
information include marketing specialists, purchasing
agents, budget and cost analysts, contract specialists, and
commodity traders. It is the unadjusted data that are
generally cited in escalating long-term contracts such as
purchasing agreements or real estate leases. (See Escalation
and Producer Price Indexes: A Guide for Contracting Parties,
BLS Report 807, September 1991, available on request from
BLS.)
     For more information, see "Appendix A: Seasonal
Adjustment Methodology at BLS," in the BLS Handbook of
Methods (September 1992), Bulletin 2414.