FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
     Patrick C. Jackman (202) 606-7000      USDL-97-450
 CPI QUICKLINE:         (202) 606-6994      TRANSMISSION OF MATERIAL IN
 FOR CURRENT AND HISTORICAL                 THIS RELEASE IS EMBARGOED
     INFORMATION:       (202) 606-7828      UNTIL 8:30 A.M. (EST)
 MEDIA CONTACT:         (202) 606-5902      Tuesday, December 16, 1997
 INTERNET ADDRESS:    
     http://stats.bls.gov/cpihome.htm
     
                              
                 CONSUMER PRICE INDEX:  NOVEMBER 1997
 
     The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) declined
 0.1 percent before seasonal adjustment in November to a level of 161.5
 (1982-84=100), the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department
 of Labor reported today.  For the 12-month period ended in November,
 the CPI-U has increased 1.8 percent.
 
      The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical
 Workers (CPI-W) remained unchanged in November, prior to seasonal
 adjustment.  The November 1997 CPI-W level of 158.5 was 1.7 percent
 higher than the index in November 1996.
 
 CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
     
     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U rose 0.1 percent in
 November, following increases of 0.2 percent in each of the preceding
 four months.  The food index increased 0.2 percent in November.
 Grocery store food prices increased 0.1 percent in November, as
 another sharp increase in prices for dairy products was largely offset
 by a decline in the index for nonalcoholic beverages.  The energy
 index, which increased 0.1 percent in October, declined 0.2 percent in
 November.  The index for petroleum-based energy declined 1.9 percent,
 while the index for energy services rose 1.6 percent.  Excluding food
 and energy, the CPI-U rose 0.1 percent after advancing 0.2 percent in
 October.  The smaller advance in November reflects a sharp downturn in
 airline fares and smaller increases in the indexes for tobacco and
 smoking products and for shelter.

 Table A.  Percent changes in CPI for Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
                                   Seasonally adjusted                Un-
                                                          Compound  Adjusted
     Expenditure        Changes from preceding month    annual rate  12-mos.
      Category                      1997                3-mos. ended  Ended
                      May June July Aug. Sept.Oct. Nov.   Nov.'97   Nov.'97
 All Items            .1    .1   .2   .2   .2   .2   .1    2.3       1.8
  Food and beverages  .4    .2   .3   .4   .1   .2   .1    1.5       1.7
  Housing             .1    .3   .2   .1   .3   .3   .3    3.4       2.5
  Apparel and upkeep  .1   -.2   .2 -1.0   .3   .1   .2    2.1       1.0
  Transportation     -.8   -.3   .1   .6   .4   .1  -.7    -.8       -.6
  Medical care        .3    .2   .0   .2   .2   .1   .3    2.4       2.6
  Entertainment       .2    .5   .1   .2  -.2   .2  -.2   -1.2       1.4
  Other goods                                                           
   and services       .2    .2   .3   .6   .3   .7   .3    5.4       4.9
 Special Indexes:                                                       
  Energy            -2.4    .0  -.1  1.7  1.3   .1  -.2    4.8       -.4
  Food                .4    .2   .3   .4   .1   .2   .2    1.8       1.7
  All items less                                                        
   Food and energy    .2    .1   .2   .1   .2   .2   .1    2.1       2.2
     
      Beginning with release of the CPI for January 1998 on February
 24, 1998, the BLS will introduce a new geographic area sample, a
 revised item structure, and updated expenditure weights into the CPI.
 See page 4 for further details.
      
      For the first 11 months of 1997, the CPI-U advanced at a 1.8
 percent seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR).  This compares with an
 increase of 3.3 percent in all of 1996.  The energy and food
 components have been largely responsible for the moderation thus far
 in 1997.  The energy index has declined at a 2.1 percent SAAR, while
 food prices have risen at a 1.8 percent annual rate.  Excluding food
 and energy, the CPI-U has risen at a 2.1 percent SAAR in the first 11
 months of 1997, following a 2.6 percent increase in all of 1996.
 
      The food and beverage index rose 0.1 percent in November.  The
 index for grocery store food prices, which increased 0.2 percent in
 October, rose 0.1 percent in November.  Another sharp increase in the
 index for dairy products--up 0.9 percent after increasing 1.5 percent
 in October--was largely offset by a 0.3 percent drop in the index for
 the other food at home category.  This decrease was due to a decline
 in prices for nonalcoholic beverages as coffee prices fell 2.2 percent
 and the index for carbonated drinks declined 0.6 percent.  The index
 for fruits and vegetables rose 0.4 percent in November after
 registering a 0.3 percent increase in October.  The index for fresh
 vegetables rose 3.3 percent, while the index for fresh fruits declined
 2.4 percent in November.  The index for processed fruits and
 vegetables rose 0.6 percent.  The other two major grocery store food
 groups--cereal and bakery products and meats, poultry, fish, and eggs-
 -each increased 0.1 percent.  Within the latter group, prices for beef
 and pork each declined in November, while poultry and egg prices rose
 1.2 and 3.2 percent, respectively.  The other two components of the
 food and beverage index--restaurant meals and alcoholic beverages--
 rose 0.3 and 0.1 percent, respectively.
 
      The housing component rose 0.3 percent in November, the same as
 in each of the two preceding months.  Shelter costs rose 0.2 percent.
 Within shelter, renters' costs were unchanged as a decline in the
 index for lodging while out of town offset a 0.2 percent rise in
 residential rents.  Homeowners' costs rose 0.3 percent and maintenance
 and repair costs increased 0.1 percent.  The index for fuel and other
 utilities, which increased 0.3 percent in October, advanced 0.9
 percent in November.  The index for household fuels rose 1.5 percent,
 reflecting increases of 3.1 percent in the index for natural gas, 0.9
 percent in the index for electricity, and 0.1 percent in the index for
 fuel oil.  (Prior to seasonal adjustment, charges for electricity fell
 1.5 percent, reflecting the shift to off-season rates in some areas.)
 The index for other utilities and public services rose 0.3 percent.
 The index for telephone services rose 0.2 percent, as charges for
 intrastate toll calls increased 1.2 percent after declining 0.6
 percent in October.  The index for household furnishings and operation
 increased 0.1 percent in November, the same as in each of the two
 preceding months.
 
      The transportation component, which increased 0.1 percent in
 October, declined 0.7 percent in November.  The indexes for motor
 fuels and new vehicles declined for the second consecutive month and
 public transportation costs turned down in November.  The index for
 gasoline, which declined 0.6 percent in October, fell 2.3 percent in
 November.  New vehicle purchase costs declined again in November; the
 index for new vehicle prices decreased 0.2 percent and automobile
 finance charges dropped 1.1 percent.  (Prior to seasonal adjustment,
 new vehicle prices increased 0.5 percent.  As of November, about 45
 percent of the new vehicle sample was represented by 1998 models.  The
 1998 models will continue to be phased in over the next several months
 as they replace old models at dealerships.)  The index for used cars
 declined 0.1 percent.  Public transportation costs declined 2.3
 percent in November.  The index for airline fares, which rose 3.8
 percent in October, declined 3.9 percent in November.  Other intercity
 transportation costs also declined in November, decreasing 0.3
 percent.
 
     The index for apparel and upkeep increased 0.2 percent in
 November, following a 0.1 percent rise in October.  (Prior to seasonal
 adjustment, apparel commodity prices fell 0.1 percent.)
 
     Medical care costs rose 0.3 percent in November to a level 2.6
 percent above a year ago.  The index for medical care commodities--
 prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and medical supplies--rose
 0.2 percent.  The index for medical care services rose 0.4 percent.
 Charges for professional services and for hospital and related
 services increased 0.1 and 0.4 percent, respectively.
 
      Entertainment costs, which rose 0.2 percent in October, decreased
 0.2 percent in November, reflecting declines in most entertainment
 commodity and service categories.
 
      The index for other goods and services rose 0.3 percent in
 November, following an increase of 0.7 percent in October.  The
 moderation was largely due to a smaller increase in the index for
 tobacco and smoking products, which rose 0.1 percent, following
 increases of 1.4 and 1.5 percent in the two preceding months.

 CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W)
 
      On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI for Urban Wage Earners
 and Clerical Workers rose 0.1 percent in November.

 Table B.  Percent changes in CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical
 Workers (CPI-W)
                                   Seasonally adjusted                Un-
                                                          Compound  adjusted
     Expenditure        Changes from preceding month    annual rate  12-mos.
      Category                      1997                3-mos. ended  ended
                      May June July Aug. Sept.Oct. Nov.   Nov. `97  Nov. `97
 All Items            .0    .1   .2   .2   .3   .2   .1    2.0       1.7
  Food and beverages  .4    .2   .3   .4   .1   .2   .1    1.5       1.7
  Housing             .1    .3   .2   .0   .3   .2   .4    3.7       2.5
  Apparel and upkeep  .2   -.3   .2 -1.0   .2   .1   .1    1.2        .9
  Transportation    -1.0   -.4   .1   .7   .4  -.1  -.7   -1.4      -1.0
  Medical care        .3    .2   .1   .2   .2   .2   .3    2.6       2.6
  Entertainment       .1    .5   .1   .4  -.2   .1  -.2   -1.7       1.3
  Other goods                                                           
   and services       .1    .0   .3   .5   .5   .8   .4    6.8       5.1
 Special Indexes:                                                       
  Energy            -2.4     0  -.2  2.0  1.2   .1  -.3    4.1       -.7
  Food                .3    .3   .3   .3   .1   .2   .1    1.8       1.6
  All items less                                                        
   food and energy    .2    .1   .2   .0   .2   .2   .1    1.9       2.0
 
 
     After seasonal adjustment, the level of the CPI-U for All Items
 was 161.8 in November; the seasonally adjusted CPI-W for All Items was
 158.6.
 
     Beginning with January 1997 data, BLS is reporting the level of
 the seasonally adjusted U.S. City Average All Items CPI-U and CPI-W in
 this monthly news release.  Effective with the release of January 1998
 data in February 1998, the seasonally adjusted All Items indexes will
 be fully integrated into the releases, appearing in tables 2 and 5 and
 in the text where relevant.  Like other seasonally adjusted CPI data,
 the All Items index levels are subject to revision for up to five
 years after their original release.  For this reason, BLS advises
 against the use of these data in escalation agreements.
 
      Consumer Price Index data for December are scheduled for release
 on Tuesday, January 13, 1998, at 8:30 A.M. (EST). Releases for the
 remainder of 1998:
 
                Feb. 24                       Aug. 18
                Mar. 19                       Sep. 17
                Apr. 14                       Oct. 16
                May 14                        Nov. 17
                June 16                       Dec. 15
                July 14                       Jan. 14, 1999
       

       Planned CPI Publication Changes
       
       Beginning in 1998, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
       will introduce a new geographic area sample, a revised
       item structure and updated expenditure weights into the
       Consumer Price Index (CPI).  Approximately every ten
       years the CPI undertakes this type of revision in order
       to keep the index up-to-date.  Since World War II,
       revisions of the CPI have been introduced in 1953, 1964,
       1978, and 1987.
       
       Because the changes the CPI undergoes during each
       revision can have a major impact on our users, special
       steps are taken in order to ameliorate the effects of
       these changes.  Beginning with the release of the
       January, 1997 index, data series that are changing or
       being dropped from publication have been footnoted in
       all BLS published tables.  This provided an early
       warning to users to reconsider their use of those
       indexes and provided time for them to make changes in
       their use.  The 1998 CPI Revision contains substantial
       changes in both the items being presented and the
       frequency of local area index publication.
       
       Changes to the Item Structure
       
       Effective in 1998, there will be considerable changes to
       both the items being priced and the manner in which they
       are being aggregated in the CPI.  The most notable
       change in presentation is a reconstruction of several
       major groups with a resulting change from the currently
       available seven major groups to the new total of eight.
       
       Currently the major groups are: Food and Beverages,
       Housing, Apparel and Upkeep, Transportation, Medical
       Care, Entertainment and Other Goods and Services.  Three
       of these groups-- Food and Beverages, Transportation,
       and Medical care will remain the same.  The Apparel
       group was modified to exclude apparel upkeep products
       and services.  The Entertainment group has been slightly
       redefined into a major group called Recreation and a new
       major group, Education and Communication, has been
       formed from  past subelements of the Housing,
       Entertainment and Other Goods and Services groups
       
       Other important changes in our item structure at lower
       levels are an expansion of our Food Away from Home
       index, a reorientation of our car and truck indexes to a
       vehicle index, and the expansion of our information
       processing equipment index.
       
       For a complete listing of the new CPI Publication
       Structure see Table X.
       
       Changes to the Geographic Structure
       
       In each revision, the CPI geographic sample is selected
       to be representative of the current demographics of the
       United States. The 1998 revision utilizes the 1990
       Census of population.  The CPI develops an updated area
       sample design, decides on new local area indexes and
       changes the frequency of publication for local area
       indexes in order to better reflect these new
       demographics.
       
       In addition to the national index, the BLS currently
       publishes indexes for 29 metropolitan areas.  In 1998,
       it will continue to publish indexes for all but two of
       these areas--Buffalo-Niagara Falls, NY, and New Orleans,
       LA.  Due to the revised Metropolitan Area (MA)
       definitions issued by the Office of Management and
       Budget(OMB), two other areas, Washington, DC, and
       Baltimore, MD, which the BLS currently publishes
       separately, constitute a new Consolidated Metropolitan
       Statistical Area.  A single index will be published for
       this consolidated area.
       
       The new publication plan for local area indexes, to
       begin with the index for January 1998, is summarized
       below:
       
            *  Monthly indexes will be published for the three
       largest metropolitan areas.  Because of sample design
       considerations, indexes for the Philadelphia and San
       Francisco areas, both currently published monthly, will
       be published every other month following the release of
       the December, 1997 index.
       
            *  Bimonthly indexes will be published for the next
       11 largest areas, including Atlanta and Seattle, which
       currently have semiannual average indexes.
       
            *  Semiannual average indexes will be published for
       12 additional areas, including Pittsburgh and St. Louis,
       which currently have bimonthly indexes.
       
            *  The BLS will continue to publish separate
       indexes for the four Census regions of the United
       States.  However, beginning in 1998, there will only be
       two area size classes for metropolitan areas, instead of
       the current three: Size A - areas with a population
       greater than 1.5 million; and Size B/C - areas with less
       than 1.5 million population.  This cutoff of 1.5 million
       in population reflects a rise from the current cutoff of
       1.2 million and is important since cities in size class
       A are those for which the Bureau publishes city level
       indexes.  The B/C size class is a combination of the old
       Size B and Size C metropolitan areas.  In addition to
       the two metropolitan area size indexes for each region,
       separate Size D indexes for urban non-metropolitan areas
       will continue to be published for both the Midwest and
       the South.  Separate indexes for Northeast and West
       urban nonmetropolitan areas were discontinued in 1987.
       
       The following is the full list of areas for which
       indexes will be published, beginning in January, 1998:
       
 1. Metropolitan Areas for which a local index will be published monthly:
 
  New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT-PA
  Chicago-Gary-Kenosha, IL-IN-WI
  Los Angeles-Riverside-Orange County, CA
 
 2. Metropolitan Areas for which a local index will be published bimonthly:
 
 In Odd Months (i.e. January,            In Even Months (i.e.
 March, etc.)                            February, April, etc.)
 ----------------------------            ----------------------                  

 Boston-Brockton-Nashua, MA-NH-          Philadelphia-Wilmington-
 ME-CT                                   Atlantic City, PA-NJ-DE-MD
 
 Washington-Baltimore, DC-MD-            San Francisco-Oakland-San
 VA-WV                                   Jose, CA
 
 Cleveland-Akron, OH                     Houston-Galveston-Brazoria,
                                         TX
 Atlanta, GA                             Detroit-Ann Arbor-Flint, MI
 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX                   Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL
                                         Seattle-Tacoma-Bremerton, WA
                              
 3. Metropolitan Areas for which a local index will be published  
    semiannually (In January and July)
 
 Pittsburgh, PA                          Cincinnati-Hamilton, OH-KY-IN 
 Kansas City, MO-KS                      Milwaukee-Racine, WI
 Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN-WI             St. Louis, MO-IL
 Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL     Anchorage, AK
 Denver-Boulder-Greeley, CO              Honolulu, HI
 Portland-Salem, OR-WA                   San Diego, CA
 
 
 
     Using a hedonic model to adjust prices of personal computers in
 the Consumer Price Index for changes in quality
     
     Effective with the release of data for January 1998, the Bureau
 of Labor Statistics (BLS) will introduce an improved quality
 adjustment technique in the new stratum of the Consumer Price Index
 (CPI) called Personal Computers and Peripheral Equipment.
     
     Currently, personal computers are part of the Information
 Processing Equipment stratum.  As previously announced, beginning
 with the CPI for January 1998, Information Processing Equipment will
 become an expenditure class entitled Information and Information
 Processing Other Than Telephone Services.  Personal Computers and
 Peripheral Equipment will be one of four strata in that expenditure
 class.
     
     Analysts in the Producer Price Index (PPI) program have
 developed and implemented a regression procedure, called a hedonic
 model, that decomposes the price of personal computers into implicit
 prices for each important feature and component of the computer.
 This model, which has been used in the PPI since 1991, provides a
 way to estimate the value of changes or improvements.  The CPI has
 used similar hedonic methods to adjust apparel prices for many
 years.
     
     Starting with the CPI for January 1998, when a personal computer
 or selected item of peripheral equipment, such as a modem, in the
 CPI sample improves in some way, a regression-based quality
 adjustment will be made.  The value of the improvement, as derived
 from the PPI regression estimates, will be deducted from the
 observed price change for the product.  (Conversely, if a model
 deteriorates, the value of the difference will be added to the
 price.)
     
     Additional information on these changes will be published in the
 June 1997 CPI Detailed Report and is available on the Internet (at
 http://stats.bls.gov/cpihome.htm).  This information can also be
 obtained by writing to Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of
 Consumer Prices and Price Indexes, Room 3260, 2 Massachusetts Ave.
 NE, Washington, DC 20212 or by telephoning  Joseph Chelena at (202)
 606-6982 ext. 255.
 
       
 
 
 Table 1. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service
 group

 (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

                                               Relative   Unadjusted indexes       Unadjusted             Seasonally adjusted
                                              importance,                       percent change to         percent change from-
                                               December     Oct.      Nov.       Nov. 1997 from-     Aug. to    Sept. to   Oct. to
                                                 1996       1997      1997    Nov. 1996  Oct. 1997    Sept.       Oct.       Nov.

             Expenditure category

 All items ..................................   100.000     161.6     161.5        1.8       -0.1        0.2        0.2        0.1
 All items (1967=100) .......................      -        484.1     483.9        -          -          -          -          -

   Food and beverages .......................    17.484     158.7     158.9        1.7         .1         .1         .2         .1
     Food ...................................    15.913     158.2     158.5        1.7         .2         .1         .2         .2
       Food at home .........................    10.040     159.0     159.1        1.2         .1        -.1         .2         .1
         Cereals and bakery products ........     1.479     178.4     178.0        1.5        -.2         .2         .2         .1
         Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .....     3.002     148.9     149.3         .3         .3        -.2        -.3         .1
         Dairy products 1/ ..................     1.245     145.7     147.0       -1.5         .9         .1        1.5         .9
         Fruits and vegetables 2/ ...........     1.974     188.5     189.5        1.7         .5        -.3         .3         .4
         Other food at home .................     2.340     149.0     147.7        3.0        -.9         .2        -.1        -.3
           Sugar and sweets .................      .331     148.2     147.4        2.2        -.5         .5        -.3         .4
           Fats and oils ....................      .246     141.7     140.4        -.3        -.9         .7        -.6        -.2
           Nonalcoholic beverages ...........      .724     136.6     134.7        5.9       -1.4        -.1        -.2       -1.2
           Other prepared food ..............     1.039     162.5     161.5        2.0        -.6         .4         .1         .0
       Food away from home ..................     5.873     158.2     158.6        2.5         .3         .3         .1         .3
     Alcoholic beverages ....................     1.571     163.7     163.7        2.2         .0         .2         .1         .1

   Housing 2/ ...............................    41.203     157.7     157.7        2.5         .0         .3         .3         .3
     Shelter ................................    28.194     177.8     177.7        3.1        -.1         .2         .3         .2
       Renters' costs 3/ 4/..................     7.994     187.7     185.9        3.3       -1.0         .4         .6         .0
         Rent, residential ..................     5.731     168.2     168.7        3.1         .3         .3         .2         .2
         Other renters' costs 4/ ............     2.263     225.4     216.6        4.2       -3.9         .4        1.7        -.5
       Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/...............    20.000     183.3     183.9        3.0         .3         .1         .2         .3
         Owners' equivalent rent 3/ .........    19.616     183.6     184.2        3.0         .3         .1         .2         .3
         Household insurance 3/ 4/ ..........      .383     166.9     167.0        1.5         .1         .7        -.1         .1
       Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ........      .200     144.7     144.9        2.7         .1       -2.0        1.5         .1
         Maintenance and repair
             services 1/ 4/ .................      .123     153.4     153.7        4.1         .2       -2.7        2.1         .2
         Maintenance and repair
             commodities 1/ 4/ ..............      .077     132.7     132.7         .3         .0        -.8         .5         .0
     Fuel and other utilities 2/ ............     7.102     130.8     131.1        2.1         .2         .6         .3         .9
       Fuels ................................     3.878     117.4     117.7        1.7         .3        1.0         .4        1.5
         Fuel oil and other household fuel
             commodities ....................      .424      95.3      96.6       -8.8        1.4         .1        -.3         .6
         Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
             services).......................     3.453     125.1     125.3        3.0         .2        1.1         .5        1.6
       Other utilities and public
           services 4/ ......................     3.224     162.5     162.8        2.5         .2         .3         .1         .3
     Household furnishings and operation 2/ .     5.908     125.4     125.2         .3        -.2         .1         .1         .1
       Housefurnishings 4/ ..................     3.332     110.1     109.7       -1.0        -.4        -.1         .1        -.1
       Housekeeping supplies ................     1.093     143.3     143.4        1.1         .1         .1        -.1         .1
       Housekeeping services 4/ .............     1.482     153.3     153.7        2.7         .3         .3         .1         .5

   Apparel and upkeep .......................     5.330     134.9     134.7        1.0        -.1         .3         .1         .2
     Apparel commodities 4/ .................     4.786     131.2     131.1         .9        -.1         .3         .1         .2
       Men's and boys' apparel ..............     1.280     133.1     133.0        1.4        -.1         .4         .2        -.5
       Women's and girls' apparel............     2.102     128.3     128.8        1.7         .4        1.0        -.5        1.0
       Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ....      .186     126.2     126.0        -.6        -.2        -.5        -.4        -.2
       Footwear .............................      .718     130.6     129.3        1.3       -1.0        -.5        1.5        -.5
       Other apparel commodities 4/..........      .500     145.5     143.6       -3.6       -1.3       -1.0         .3        -.1
     Apparel services 1/ 4/ .................      .545     163.7     163.4        1.6        -.2         .1         .0        -.2

   Transportation ...........................    17.140     144.5     143.9        -.6        -.4         .4         .1        -.7
     Private transportation .................    15.499     140.9     140.6        -.6        -.2         .4        -.2        -.5
       New vehicles .........................     4.955     143.3     144.0        -.6         .5         .1        -.3        -.2
         New cars ...........................     3.952     140.6     141.3        -.7         .5         .0        -.2        -.1
       Used cars ............................     1.278     147.9     147.6       -5.7        -.2        -.1        -.5        -.1
       Motor fuel ...........................     3.171     106.7     104.6       -3.0       -2.0        1.7        -.5       -2.1
         Gasoline ...........................      -        106.5     104.1       -2.8       -2.3        1.8        -.6       -2.3
       Maintenance and repairs ..............     1.533     163.9     164.0        2.2         .1        -.1         .2         .2
       Other private transportation 4/.......     4.562     178.4     179.0        1.6         .3         .1        -.1        -.1
         Other private transportation
             commodities 4/..................      .589     104.3     104.5        -.6         .2        -.2        -.3         .0
         Other private transportation
             services 4/ ....................     3.973     196.0     196.6        1.9         .3         .2         .0        -.1
     Public transportation ..................     1.642     190.9     185.9        -.7       -2.6        1.2        2.7       -2.3

   Medical care .............................     7.346     235.8     236.4        2.6         .3         .2         .1         .3
     Medical care commodities ...............     1.273     215.6     215.8        1.8         .1         .1         .0         .2
     Medical care services ..................     6.073     240.5     241.2        2.7         .3         .2         .1         .4
       Professional medical services ........     3.472     216.8     217.1        2.9         .1         .1         .2         .1

   Entertainment 4/ .........................     4.352     163.1     162.9        1.4        -.1        -.2         .2        -.2
     Entertainment commodities 4/ ...........     1.957     144.3     144.3         .2         .0         .1        -.2        -.2
     Entertainment services 4/ ..............     2.395     184.9     184.6        2.4        -.2        -.5         .5        -.3

   Other goods and services 2/ ..............     7.145     229.4     229.9        4.9         .2         .3         .7         .3
     Tobacco and smoking products ...........     1.601     250.2     250.7        6.1         .2        1.4        1.5         .1
     Personal care 1/ .......................     1.145     153.3     154.3        2.1         .7         .1         .4         .7
       Toilet goods and personal care
           appliances 1/ ....................      .588     144.5     146.1        1.0        1.1         .1         .6        1.1
       Personal care services 1/ ............      .557     163.4     163.5        3.1         .1         .1         .4         .1
     Personal and educational expenses 4/ ...     4.398     265.6     265.8        5.1         .1        -.1         .5         .4
       School books and supplies ............      .264     242.4     242.4        5.1         .0        -.1         .7         .2
       Personal and educational services 4/ .     4.134     267.5     267.8        5.1         .1        -.1         .5         .4









 Table 1. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and commodity and service
 group

 (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) - Continued

                                               Relative   Unadjusted indexes       Unadjusted             Seasonally adjusted
                                              importance,                       percent change to         percent change from-
                                               December     Oct.      Nov.       Nov. 1997 from-     Aug. to    Sept. to   Oct. to
                                                 1996       1997      1997    Nov. 1996  Oct. 1997    Sept.       Oct.       Nov.

         Commodity and service group

 All items ..................................   100.000     161.6     161.5        1.8        -.1         .2         .2         .1
   Commodities ..............................    42.873     142.4     142.3         .6        -.1         .3         .0        -.1
     Food and beverages .....................    17.484     158.7     158.9        1.7         .1         .1         .2         .1
     Commodities less food and beverages ....    25.389     132.5     132.2        -.3        -.2         .4         .0        -.2
       Nondurables less food and beverages ..    15.147     135.8     135.3         .4        -.4         .7         .1        -.3
         Apparel commodities 4/ .............     4.786     131.2     131.1         .9        -.1         .3         .1         .2
         Nondurables less food, beverages,
             and apparel ....................    10.362     141.3     140.6         .2        -.5         .8        -.1        -.6
       Durables .............................    10.242     127.8     127.9       -1.3         .1        -.1        -.1        -.1
   Services .................................    57.127     181.0     181.0        2.9         .0         .2         .3         .2
     Rent of shelter 3/ .....................    27.577     185.0     185.0        3.1         .0         .2         .3         .3
     Household services less rent of
         shelter 3/ 4/.......................     8.698     146.4     146.7        2.7         .2         .6         .4         .8
     Transportation services ................     7.148     186.9     186.2        1.4        -.4         .3         .6        -.6
     Medical care services ..................     6.073     240.5     241.2        2.7         .3         .2         .1         .4
     Other services .........................     7.631     212.7     212.7        3.9         .0        -.2         .4         .1

               Special indexes

 All items less food ........................    84.087     162.2     162.1        1.9        -.1         .3         .2         .1
 All items less shelter .....................    71.806     156.9     156.8        1.4        -.1         .3         .2         .1
 All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/......    80.000     162.4     162.2        1.6        -.1         .2         .2         .1
 All items less medical care ................    92.654     157.4     157.3        1.8        -.1         .3         .2         .1
 Commodities less food ......................    26.960     133.8     133.5        -.1        -.2         .4        -.1        -.2
 Nondurables less food ......................    16.718     137.4     137.0         .7        -.3         .7         .1        -.2
 Nondurables less food and apparel ..........    11.932     142.5     141.9         .5        -.4         .8        -.1        -.3
 Nondurables ................................    32.631     147.4     147.3        1.2        -.1         .4         .0         .1
 Services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/ ........    29.550     189.8     189.8        2.7         .0         .3         .4         .2
 Services less medical care services ........    51.054     175.5     175.4        2.9        -.1         .2         .5         .1
 Energy .....................................     7.049     111.5     110.7        -.4        -.7        1.3         .1        -.2
 All items less energy ......................    92.951     168.3     168.3        2.1         .0         .2         .2         .1
   All items less food and energy ...........    77.038     170.8     170.8        2.2         .0         .2         .2         .1
     Commodities less food and
         energy commodities .................    23.364     142.7     142.8         .4         .1         .2         .1         .0
       Energy commodities ...................     3.596     105.7     103.9       -3.7       -1.7        1.5        -.4       -1.9
     Services less energy services ..........    53.674     186.7     186.7        2.9         .0         .2         .3         .1
 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar:
   1982-84=$1.00 1/ .........................      -        $.619     $.619       -1.9         .0        -.3        -.2         .0
   1967=$1.00 1/ ............................      -         .207      .207        -          -          -          -          -


    1/     Not seasonally adjusted.
    2/     This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 1998.
    3/     Indexes on a December 1982=100 base.
    4/     This index series will no longer appear in its present form after December, 1997.
           See Table X for a comparable index series.
    -      Data not available.
    NOTE:  Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.


  Table 2. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): Seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by expenditure category and
  commodity and service group

  (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

                                                   Seasonally adjusted indexes             Seasonally adjusted annual rate
                                                                                                 percent change for
                                                                                         3 months ended-           6 months ended-
                                                  Aug.    Sept.   Oct.    Nov.    Feb.     May    Aug.    Nov.      May      Nov.
                                                  1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997     1997      1997

               Expenditure category

  All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        2.5     0.8     2.0     2.3      1.6       2.1

    Food and beverages .........................   158.6   158.7   159.0   159.2      .5      .8     3.9     1.5       .6       2.7
      Food .....................................   158.3   158.4   158.7   159.0      .3      .8     3.9     1.8       .5       2.8
        Food at home ...........................   159.2   159.1   159.4   159.6     -.8     -.3     4.7     1.0      -.5       2.8
          Cereals and bakery products ..........   178.0   178.3   178.7   178.9      .2     1.1     2.5     2.0       .7       2.3
          Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......   149.4   149.1   148.7   148.8      .0      .3     2.4    -1.6       .1        .4
          Dairy products 1/ ....................   143.4   143.5   145.7   147.0    -8.1    -2.2    -5.4    10.4     -5.2       2.2
          Fruits and vegetables 2/..............   191.4   190.8   191.4   192.1    -2.1    -6.2    15.3     1.5     -4.2       8.2
          Other food at home ...................   148.7   149.0   148.8   148.3     2.2     5.4     5.6    -1.1      3.8       2.2
            Sugar and sweets ...................   147.6   148.4   147.9   148.5     4.8     1.4      .5     2.5      3.1       1.5
            Fats and oils ......................   141.5   142.5   141.7   141.4      .8     -.8     -.8     -.3       .0       -.6
            Nonalcoholic beverages .............   137.1   136.9   136.6   135.0     -.6    20.2    11.9    -6.0      9.3       2.6
            Other prepared food ................   161.5   162.1   162.3   162.3     3.8    -1.2     3.5     2.0      1.3       2.8
        Food away from home ....................   157.4   157.8   158.0   158.4     2.6     1.8     2.8     2.6      2.2       2.7
      Alcoholic beverages ......................   163.4   163.7   163.8   164.0     3.0     1.2     2.7     1.5      2.1       2.1

    Housing 2/ .................................   156.9   157.3   157.7   158.2     3.1     1.3     2.1     3.4      2.2       2.7
      Shelter ..................................   176.6   177.0   177.5   177.9     3.3     3.3     2.8     3.0      3.3       2.9
        Renters' costs 3/ 4/....................   185.7   186.4   187.6   187.6     4.3     3.1     2.0     4.2      3.7       3.1
          Rent, residential ....................   167.3   167.8   168.2   168.6     2.5     3.7     2.9     3.1      3.1       3.0
          Other renters' costs 4/ ..............   223.8   224.8   228.6   227.5     8.9     1.6     -.4     6.8      5.2       3.1
        Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/ ................   182.4   182.6   182.9   183.5     2.7     3.2     3.4     2.4      2.9       2.9
          Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ...........   182.8   183.0   183.3   183.9     2.9     3.1     3.4     2.4      3.0       2.9
          Household insurance 3/ 4/ ............   165.7   166.8   166.7   166.9     -.5     1.7     1.7     2.9       .6       2.3
        Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ..........   145.5   142.6   144.7   144.9     3.4     2.6     6.6    -1.6      3.0       2.4
          Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/    154.4   150.2   153.4   153.7     2.2     4.1    12.6    -1.8      3.1       5.1
          Maintenance and repair
              commodities 1/ 4/ ................   133.1   132.1   132.7   132.7     4.9      .6    -2.9    -1.2      2.7      -2.1
      Fuel and other utilities 2/...............   129.9   130.7   131.1   132.3     6.3    -6.5     1.6     7.6      -.3       4.5
        Fuels ..................................   115.4   116.5   117.0   118.8     9.6   -12.7      .0    12.3     -2.2       6.0
          Fuel oil and other household fuel
              commodities ......................    96.7    96.8    96.5    97.1    -1.1   -21.1   -12.6     1.7    -11.7      -5.7
          Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
              services).........................   122.8   124.1   124.7   126.7    10.5   -11.8     1.6    13.3     -1.3       7.3
        Other utilities and public services 4/ .   162.0   162.5   162.7   163.2     2.0     2.0     3.0     3.0      2.0       3.0
      Household furnishings and operation 2/ ...   125.1   125.2   125.3   125.4      .3     1.9    -1.9     1.0      1.1       -.5
        Housefurnishings 4/ ....................   110.1   110.0   110.1   110.0      .0     1.1    -4.9     -.4       .5      -2.7
        Housekeeping supplies ..................   143.1   143.3   143.1   143.2     2.3     1.1      .6      .3      1.7        .4
        Housekeeping services 4/ ...............   152.7   153.1   153.3   154.0     -.5     4.3     3.8     3.4      1.9       3.6

    Apparel and upkeep .........................   132.2   132.6   132.7   132.9     2.8     3.1    -4.1     2.1      2.9      -1.0
      Apparel commodities 4/ ...................   128.3   128.7   128.8   129.1     2.5     3.5    -4.8     2.5      3.0      -1.2
        Men's and boys' apparel ................   130.5   131.0   131.2   130.6    -1.5     7.0      .0      .3      2.7        .2
        Women's and girls' apparel .............   124.3   125.5   124.9   126.1     8.7     2.9    -9.7     5.9      5.7      -2.2
        Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ......   127.3   126.7   126.2   126.0     1.6    22.4   -18.1    -4.0     11.5     -11.3
        Footwear ...............................   128.1   127.4   129.3   128.6     -.9     1.9     2.5     1.6       .5       2.1
        Other apparel commodities 4/............   145.2   143.7   144.1   144.0    -4.2    -6.1    -1.1    -3.3     -5.1      -2.2
      Apparel services 1/ 4/ ...................   163.6   163.7   163.7   163.4     3.3     1.7     1.7     -.5      2.5        .6

    Transportation .............................   144.2   144.8   144.9   143.9     1.4    -4.6     1.7     -.8     -1.7        .4
      Private transportation ...................   141.2   141.7   141.4   140.7     3.4    -6.6     2.6    -1.4     -1.7        .6
        New vehicles ...........................   144.3   144.4   144.0   143.7     -.6     -.3      .0    -1.7      -.4       -.8
          New cars .............................   141.7   141.7   141.4   141.2     -.6     -.3     -.3    -1.4      -.4       -.8
        Used cars ..............................   148.0   147.8   147.0   146.8      .5    -5.3   -14.0    -3.2     -2.4      -8.8
        Motor fuel .............................   106.2   108.0   107.5   105.2    13.1   -29.3    15.2    -3.7    -10.6       5.3
          Gasoline .............................   105.9   107.8   107.2   104.7    13.6   -30.0    17.1    -4.5    -10.8       5.8
        Maintenance and repairs ................   163.4   163.2   163.5   163.9     2.3     2.5     3.0     1.2      2.4       2.1
        Other private transportation 4/.........   178.0   178.2   178.1   178.0     1.8     2.1     2.3      .0      1.9       1.1
          Other private transportation
              commodities 4/....................   105.0   104.8   104.5   104.5      .0    -1.1      .8    -1.9      -.6       -.6
          Other private transportation
              services 4/ ......................   195.5   195.8   195.8   195.6     2.1     2.7     2.3      .2      2.4       1.2
      Public transportation ....................   184.5   186.7   191.7   187.2   -13.3    15.1    -8.0     6.0      -.1      -1.3

    Medical care ...............................   235.5   235.9   236.1   236.9     2.3     3.8     1.7     2.4      3.1       2.1
      Medical care commodities .................   215.5   215.7   215.6   216.0     2.7     4.4     -.6      .9      3.5        .2
      Medical care services ....................   239.8   240.3   240.5   241.4     2.2     3.6     2.2     2.7      2.9       2.4
        Professional medical services ..........   216.3   216.6   217.0   217.3     2.9     4.4     2.4     1.9      3.6       2.2
    Entertainment 4/ ...........................   163.4   163.0   163.3   162.9     2.0     1.7     3.2    -1.2      1.9       1.0
      Entertainment commodities 4/ .............   144.7   144.9   144.6   144.3      .6    -1.1     2.5    -1.1      -.3        .7
      Entertainment services 4/ ................   185.1   184.2   185.1   184.6     3.1     3.8     4.0    -1.1      3.5       1.4

    Other goods and services 2/.................   226.9   227.5   229.1   229.9     3.9     5.9     4.3     5.4      4.9       4.9
      Tobacco and smoking products .............   243.2   246.5   250.2   250.4     2.7     9.2      .5    12.4      5.9       6.3
      Personal care 1/ .........................   152.5   152.7   153.3   154.3      .8     2.9     -.3     4.8      1.9       2.2
        Toilet goods and personal care
            appliances 1/ ......................   143.5   143.7   144.5   146.1    -3.8     2.3    -1.7     7.4      -.8       2.8
        Personal care services 1/ ..............   162.7   162.8   163.4   163.5     5.4     4.0     1.0     2.0      4.7       1.5
      Personal and educational expenses 4/ .....   262.8   262.5   263.7   264.7     5.3     5.4     7.0     2.9      5.4       4.9
        School books and supplies ..............   241.2   241.0   242.6   243.1     3.0     6.0     8.0     3.2      4.5       5.6
        Personal and educational services 4/ ...   264.3   264.0   265.2   266.2     5.5     5.4     6.9     2.9      5.4       4.9












  Table 2. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U): Seasonally adjusted U.S. city average, by expenditure category and
  commodity and service group

  (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) - Continued

                                                   Seasonally adjusted indexes             Seasonally adjusted annual rate
                                                                                                 percent change for
                                                                                         3 months ended-           6 months ended-
                                                  Aug.    Sept.   Oct.    Nov.    Feb.     May    Aug.    Nov.      May      Nov.
                                                  1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997     1997      1997

           Commodity and service group

  All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        2.5      .8     2.0     2.3      1.6       2.1
    Commodities ................................   141.9   142.3   142.3   142.2     1.7    -1.7     1.1      .8       .0       1.0
      Food and beverages .......................   158.6   158.7   159.0   159.2      .5      .8     3.9     1.5       .6       2.7
      Commodities less food and beverages ......   131.8   132.3   132.3   132.0     2.1    -3.3     -.6      .6      -.6        .0
        Nondurables less food and beverages ....   134.3   135.2   135.3   134.9     4.2    -5.2     1.2     1.8      -.6       1.5
          Apparel commodities 4/ ...............   128.3   128.7   128.8   129.1     2.5     3.5    -4.8     2.5      3.0      -1.2
          Nondurables less food, beverages,
              and apparel ......................   140.3   141.4   141.3   140.5     6.1    -8.2     2.9      .6     -1.3       1.7
        Durables ...............................   128.2   128.1   128.0   127.9      .0     -.9    -3.4     -.9      -.5      -2.2
    Services ...................................   180.0   180.4   181.0   181.4     3.0     2.7     2.7     3.1      2.9       2.9
      Rent of shelter 3/ .......................   184.1   184.4   185.0   185.5     3.1     3.4     2.9     3.1      3.2       3.0
      Household services less rent
          of shelter 3/ 4/......................   145.2   146.1   146.7   147.9     4.8    -3.0     1.7     7.6       .8       4.6
      Transportation services ..................   185.1   185.7   186.9   185.8    -1.5     5.1      .2     1.5      1.8        .9
      Medical care services ....................   239.8   240.3   240.5   241.4     2.2     3.6     2.2     2.7      2.9       2.4
      Other services ...........................   211.9   211.5   212.4   212.7     4.4     4.7     5.1     1.5      4.5       3.3

                 Special indexes

  All items less food ..........................   161.2   161.7   162.0   162.2     2.8      .8     1.8     2.5      1.8       2.1
  All items less shelter .......................   156.1   156.5   156.8   156.9     2.1      .0     1.6     2.1      1.0       1.8
  All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/........   161.6   162.0   162.4   162.5     2.3      .2     1.8     2.2      1.3       2.0
  All items less medical care ..................   156.5   156.9   157.2   157.3     2.6      .5     2.1     2.1      1.6       2.1
  Commodities less food ........................   133.3   133.8   133.7   133.4     2.4    -2.9     -.3      .3      -.3        .0
  Nondurables less food ........................   135.9   136.9   137.0   136.7     3.9    -4.0      .6     2.4      -.1       1.5
  Nondurables less food and apparel ............   142.0   143.2   143.0   142.5     3.7    -8.1     5.5     1.4     -2.4       3.5
  Nondurables ..................................   146.5   147.1   147.1   147.3     2.8    -3.0     3.1     2.2      -.1       2.6
  Services less rent of shelter 3/ .............   188.3   188.9   189.6   190.0     2.4     2.4     2.2     3.7      2.4       2.9
  Services less medical care services ..........   174.3   174.7   175.5   175.7     2.8     2.6     2.8     3.3      2.7       3.0
  Energy .......................................   110.2   111.6   111.7   111.5    10.8   -20.5     6.4     4.8     -6.2       5.6
  All items less energy ........................   167.7   168.0   168.3   168.5     1.7     2.7     1.7     1.9      2.2       1.8
    All items less food and energy .............   170.1   170.4   170.8   171.0     2.2     2.9     1.4     2.1      2.5       1.8
      Commodities less food and energy
          commodities ..........................   142.0   142.3   142.4   142.4     1.1     1.7    -2.2     1.1      1.4       -.6
        Energy commodities .....................   105.2   106.8   106.4   104.4    11.5   -28.3    11.4    -3.0    -10.6       3.9
      Services less energy services ............   185.8   186.1   186.7   186.9     2.7     3.5     2.8     2.4      3.1       2.6


     1/     Not seasonally adjusted.
     2/     This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 1998.
     3/     Indexes on a December 1982=100 base.
     4/     This index series will no longer appear in its present form after December, 1997.
            See Table X for a comparable index series.
     -      Data not available.
     NOTE:  Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.


 Table 3. Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Selected areas, all items index

 (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

                                                                  Indexes                Percent change to       Percent change to
                   Area                     Pricing                                       Nov. 1997 from-         Oct. 1997 from-
                                           schedule    Aug.    Sept.   Oct.    Nov.    Nov.    Sept.   Oct.    Oct.    Aug.    Sept.
                                              1/       1997    1997    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997



 U.S. city average ......................      M        160.8   161.2   161.6   161.5     1.8     0.2    -0.1     2.1     0.5     0.2

         Region and area size 2/

 Northeast urban.........................      M        167.8   168.4   168.7   168.5     1.9      .1     -.1     2.2      .5      .2
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        168.4   169.2   169.5   169.3     2.0      .1     -.1     2.3      .7      .2
   Size B -  500,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        166.2   166.0   166.0   165.8     1.7     -.1     -.1     2.2     -.1      .0
   Size C -  50,000 to 500,000 3/........      M        166.8   167.1   167.6   167.5     1.9      .2     -.1     2.3      .5      .3

 North Central urban ....................      M        157.2   157.5   157.7   157.7     1.7      .1      .0     2.1      .3      .1
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        158.0   158.3   158.4   158.4     2.0      .1      .0     2.3      .3      .1
   Size B -  360,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        156.3   156.2   156.7   156.9     1.6      .4      .1     1.8      .3      .3
   Size C -  50,000 to 360,000 3/........      M        158.8   159.6   159.7   159.3     1.4     -.2     -.3     2.0      .6      .1
   Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
             (less than 50,000) .........      M        152.6   153.4   153.2   153.7     1.2      .2      .3     1.4      .4     -.1

 South urban ............................      M        157.1   157.5   157.8   157.8     1.7      .2      .0     1.9      .4      .2
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        155.9   156.4   156.7   156.4     1.7      .0     -.2     2.0      .5      .2
   Size B -  450,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        160.8   160.6   160.9   161.2     1.9      .4      .2     2.0      .1      .2
   Size C -  50,000 to 450,000 3/........      M        156.1   156.7   157.2   157.3     1.7      .4      .1     1.6      .7      .3
   Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
             (less than 50,000) .........      M        156.4   157.1   156.9   157.1     1.6      .0      .1     1.7      .3     -.1

 West urban .............................      M        161.5   162.1   162.8   162.8     2.3      .4      .0     2.3      .8      .4
   Size A -  More than 1,250,000 ........      M        161.7   162.3   163.1   162.8     2.3      .3     -.2     2.4      .9      .5
   Size C -  50,000 to 330,000 3/........      M        166.8   167.4   168.3   169.2     3.2     1.1      .5     3.1      .9      .5

 Size classes
   A 4/ .................................      M        145.1   145.6   146.0   145.8     2.0      .1     -.1     2.3      .6      .3
   B 3/ .................................      M        161.2   161.2   161.5   161.6     1.7      .2      .1     2.0      .2      .2
   C 3/ .................................      M        160.5   161.0   161.5   161.6     2.0      .4      .1     2.1      .6      .3
   D ....................................      M        156.8   157.4   157.6   157.8     1.3      .3      .1     1.4      .5      .1

           Selected local areas

 Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI......      M        162.5   162.1   162.5   162.9     2.2      .5      .2     2.3      .0      .2
 Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ......      M        159.7   160.5   161.1   160.7     1.5      .1     -.2     1.4      .9      .4
 N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT      M        170.8   171.7   172.3   172.0     2.1      .2     -.2     2.4      .9      .3
 Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton,
 PA-NJ-DE-MD 5/ .........................      M        166.8   168.6   167.7   166.4     1.3    -1.3     -.8     1.7      .5     -.5
 San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA 5/ ..      M        161.2   161.6   162.5   162.6     3.6      .6      .1     3.6      .8      .6

 Baltimore, MD 6/ .......................      1         -      156.7    -      156.0      .8     -.4    -       -       -       -
 Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ...........      1         -      167.8    -      169.4     1.9     1.0    -       -       -       -
 Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH .............      1         -      157.3    -      157.1     2.1     -.1    -       -       -       -
 Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ..............      1         -      158.5    -      159.5     2.0      .6    -       -       -       -
 St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL 7/ .....      1         -      155.1    -      152.9     1.0    -1.4    -       -       -       -
 Washington, DC-MD-VA 6/ ................      1         -      163.6    -      161.8      .4    -1.1    -       -       -       -

 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX ..................      2        151.2    -      152.8    -       -       -       -        1.4     1.1    -
 Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI ..................      2        156.9    -      157.9    -       -       -       -        2.7      .6    -
 Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .........      2        145.4    -      147.3    -       -       -       -        2.9     1.3    -
 Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA 7/ ........      2        157.5    -      157.9    -       -       -       -        2.2      .3    -


    1/     Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all areas; most other goods and services priced as
           indicated:
             M - Every month.
             1 - January, March, May, July, September, and November.
             2 - February, April, June, August, October, and December.
    2/     Regions defined as the four Census regions.  See map in technical notes.
    3/     Starting in January, 1998, a new Size Class B/C will be introduced, composed of current
           Size Class B and Size Class C cities.  There will be no individual Size Class B or Size Class C.
    4/     Indexes on a December 1986=100 base.
    5/     Indexes for the cities of Philadelphia and San Francisco will no longer be published on a monthly
           basis starting in January, 1998.  Beginning in February, 1998 they will be published on a
           bi-monthly basis.
    6/     Indexes for the cities of Washington and Baltimore will no longer be published separately after December, 1997.
           Beginning in January, 1998 the two cities will be published as a Washington-Baltimore
           combined metropolitan area.
    7/     Indexes for the cities of Pittsburgh and St. Louis will no longer be published on a bi-monthly
           basis after December, 1997.  Beginning in July, 1998 they will be published semi-annually, each
           January and July.
    -      Data not available.
    NOTE:  Local area CPI indexes are byproducts of the national CPI program.  Each local index has a smaller sample size than
           the national index and is, therefore, subject to substantially more sampling and other measurement error.  As a
           result, local area indexes show greater volatility than the national index, although their long-term trends are
           similar.  Therefore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics strongly urges users to consider adopting the national average
           CPI for use in their escalator clauses.


 Table 4. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and
 commodity and service group

 (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

                                               Relative   Unadjusted indexes       Unadjusted             Seasonally adjusted
                                              importance,                       percent change to         percent change from-
                                               December     Oct.      Nov.       Nov. 1997 from-     Aug. to    Sept. to   Oct. to
                                                 1996       1997      1997    Nov. 1996  Oct. 1997    Sept.       Oct.       Nov.

             Expenditure category

 All items ..................................   100.000     158.5     158.5        1.7        0.0        0.3        0.2        0.1
 All items (1967=100) .......................      -        472.3     472.2        -          -          -          -          -

   Food and beverages .......................    19.436     158.1     158.3        1.7         .1         .1         .2         .1
     Food ...................................    17.749     157.7     157.9        1.6         .1         .1         .2         .1
       Food at home .........................    11.387     158.0     158.1        1.1         .1         .0         .3         .1
         Cereals and bakery products ........     1.688     178.0     177.8        1.5        -.1         .2         .3         .1
         Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .....     3.535     148.5     149.0         .3         .3        -.3        -.2         .0
         Dairy products 1/ ..................     1.387     145.5     146.8       -1.6         .9         .1        1.6         .9
         Fruits and vegetables 2/ ...........     2.086     187.7     188.4        1.7         .4        -.4         .5         .2
         Other food at home .................     2.691     148.4     147.0        2.8        -.9         .3        -.1        -.4
           Sugar and sweets .................      .373     148.0     147.3        2.3        -.5         .5        -.3         .4
           Fats and oils ....................      .282     141.4     140.2        -.2        -.8         .5        -.4        -.1
           Nonalcoholic beverages ...........      .841     135.2     133.3        5.2       -1.4        -.1        -.1       -1.1
           Other prepared food ..............     1.194     162.3     161.3        2.0        -.6         .4         .1        -.1
       Food away from home ..................     6.362     158.2     158.6        2.5         .3         .3         .2         .3
     Alcoholic beverages ....................     1.687     162.8     162.8        2.0         .0         .0         .1         .1

   Housing 2/ ...............................    38.747     154.4     154.5        2.5         .1         .3         .2         .4
     Shelter ................................    25.867     172.7     172.8        3.0         .1         .2         .3         .2
       Renters' costs 3/ 4/..................     8.079     163.6     162.7        3.2        -.6         .3         .4         .1
         Rent, residential ..................     6.580     167.9     168.4        3.1         .3         .3         .2         .2
         Other renters' costs 4/ ............     1.499     224.6     215.6        4.0       -4.0         .4        1.2        -.4
       Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/...............    17.599     167.1     167.6        2.9         .3         .2         .2         .3
         Owners' equivalent rent 3/ .........    17.277     167.4     167.9        2.9         .3         .2         .2         .3
         Household insurance 3/ 4/ ..........      .322     151.3     151.4         .9         .1         .5         .1         .1
       Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ........      .189     142.6     142.8        2.1         .1       -1.9        1.1         .1
         Maintenance and repair
             services 1/ 4/ .................      .105     154.4     154.7        3.2         .2       -2.7        1.4         .2
         Maintenance and repair
             commodities 1/ 4/ ..............      .084     127.8     127.9         .6         .1        -.6         .5         .1
     Fuel and other utilities 2/ ............     7.344     130.6     130.9        2.2         .2         .7         .4        1.0
       Fuels ................................     3.979     116.8     117.3        1.9         .4        1.0         .6        1.5
         Fuel oil and other household fuel
             commodities ....................      .391      95.0      96.4       -8.8        1.5         .1        -.2         .5
         Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
             services).......................     3.588     124.6     124.9        3.1         .2        1.1         .6        1.7
       Other utilities and public
           services 4/ ......................     3.365     163.3     163.6        2.6         .2         .3         .1         .3
     Household furnishings and operation 2/ .     5.536     123.9     123.7         .3        -.2         .1         .1         .0
       Housefurnishings 4/ ..................     3.261     109.0     108.5        -.9        -.5        -.1         .1        -.2
       Housekeeping supplies ................     1.129     143.9     144.2        1.3         .2         .3         .0         .2
       Housekeeping services 4/ .............     1.145     156.2     156.6        2.8         .3         .3         .1         .4

   Apparel and upkeep .......................     5.348     133.9     133.6         .9        -.2         .2         .1         .1
     Apparel commodities 4/ .................     4.838     130.5     130.2         .9        -.2         .2         .1         .2
       Men's and boys' apparel ..............     1.286     132.4     132.7        1.4         .2         .3        -.1        -.3
       Women's and girls' apparel............     2.053     126.8     127.0        1.6         .2         .7        -.6         .8
       Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ....      .240     127.7     127.1        -.5        -.5        -.1        -.5        -.5
       Footwear .............................      .799     131.8     130.4        1.2       -1.1        -.5        1.7        -.7
       Other apparel commodities 4/..........      .461     145.4     143.5       -3.5       -1.3       -1.2        1.0         .1
     Apparel services 1/ 4/ .................      .510     162.8     162.6        1.6        -.1         .1         .0        -.1

   Transportation ...........................    19.190     143.6     143.1       -1.0        -.3         .4        -.1        -.7
     Private transportation .................    17.934     141.1     140.8       -1.0        -.2         .3        -.1        -.6
       New vehicles .........................     4.893     144.7     145.1        -.6         .3         .1        -.1        -.4
         New cars ...........................     3.533     140.2     140.8        -.8         .4         .0        -.2        -.3
       Used cars ............................     2.320     149.4     149.2       -5.4        -.1        -.2        -.5        -.1
       Motor fuel ...........................     3.921     106.6     104.4       -3.4       -2.1        1.4        -.5       -2.2
         Gasoline ...........................      -        106.3     104.0       -3.2       -2.2        1.6        -.6       -2.4
       Maintenance and repairs ..............     1.616     164.9     165.1        2.3         .1         .0         .1         .2
       Other private transportation 4/.......     5.185     173.8     174.3        1.4         .3         .1        -.1         .0
         Other private transportation
             commodities 4/..................      .742     103.6     103.6        -.6         .0        -.2        -.2        -.1
         Other private transportation
             services 4/ ....................     4.442     191.6     192.3        1.7         .4         .1         .0         .0
     Public transportation ..................     1.256     187.8     183.9        -.3       -2.1        1.2        2.2       -1.7

   Medical care .............................     6.251     235.2     235.8        2.6         .3         .2         .2         .3
     Medical care commodities ...............     1.047     212.9     213.1        1.9         .1         .2         .0         .3
     Medical care services ..................     5.204     240.3     240.8        2.6         .2         .2         .2         .2
       Professional medical services ........     2.973     218.1     218.5        3.0         .2         .1         .2         .2

   Entertainment 4/ .........................     4.015     160.6     160.3        1.3        -.2        -.2         .1        -.2
     Entertainment commodities 4/ ...........     2.036     143.1     142.9         .1        -.1         .1        -.3        -.3
     Entertainment services 4/ ..............     1.979     185.3     184.9        2.5        -.2        -.4         .4        -.3

   Other goods and services 2/ ..............     7.012     226.1     226.7        5.1         .3         .5         .8         .4
     Tobacco and smoking products ...........     2.117     249.9     250.5        6.2         .2        1.4        1.5         .1
     Personal care 1/ .......................     1.107     153.3     154.3        2.0         .7         .1         .5         .7
       Toilet goods and personal care
           appliances 1/ ....................      .610     145.4     147.1        1.2        1.2         .2         .5        1.2
       Personal care services 1/ ............      .497     163.5     163.7        3.2         .1         .1         .3         .1
     Personal and educational expenses 4/ ...     3.788     260.8     261.2        5.3         .2         .2         .4         .3
       School books and supplies ............      .232     244.7     244.7        5.2         .0         .0         .6         .3
       Personal and educational services 4/ .     3.556     262.4     262.8        5.2         .2         .2         .4         .3









 Table 4. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and
 commodity and service group

 (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) - Continued

                                               Relative   Unadjusted indexes       Unadjusted             Seasonally adjusted
                                              importance,                       percent change to         percent change from-
                                               December     Oct.      Nov.       Nov. 1997 from-     Aug. to    Sept. to   Oct. to
                                                 1996       1997      1997    Nov. 1996  Oct. 1997    Sept.       Oct.       Nov.

         Commodity and service group

 All items ..................................   100.000     158.5     158.5        1.7         .0         .3         .2         .1
   Commodities ..............................    47.057     142.3     142.1         .4        -.1         .2         .1        -.1
     Food and beverages .....................    19.436     158.1     158.3        1.7         .1         .1         .2         .1
     Commodities less food and beverages ....    27.621     132.7     132.3        -.5        -.3         .4         .0        -.4
       Nondurables less food and beverages ..    16.215     135.7     135.1         .4        -.4         .7         .1        -.4
         Apparel commodities 4/ .............     4.838     130.5     130.2         .9        -.2         .2         .1         .2
         Nondurables less food, beverages,
             and apparel ....................    11.377     141.2     140.5         .2        -.5         .8        -.1        -.6
       Durables .............................    11.407     127.3     127.3       -1.7         .0         .0        -.1        -.3
   Services .................................    52.943     178.0     178.1        2.8         .1         .3         .3         .3
     Rent of shelter 3/ .....................    25.329     166.2     166.3        3.1         .1         .3         .2         .2
     Household services less rent of
         shelter 3/ 4/.......................     8.553     134.5     134.8        2.7         .2         .6         .4         .8
     Transportation services ................     7.314     184.2     184.0        1.5        -.1         .2         .4        -.2
     Medical care services ..................     5.204     240.3     240.8        2.6         .2         .2         .2         .2
     Other services .........................     6.542     209.4     209.5        4.0         .0         .0         .4         .1

               Special indexes

 All items less food ........................    82.251     158.6     158.5        1.7        -.1         .3         .2         .1
 All items less shelter .....................    74.133     154.8     154.7        1.2        -.1         .3         .2         .0
 All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/......    82.401     148.6     148.5        1.4        -.1         .3         .2         .1
 All items less medical care ................    93.749     154.9     154.9        1.7         .0         .3         .2         .1
 Commodities less food ......................    29.308     133.9     133.5        -.4        -.3         .3         .0        -.3
 Nondurables less food ......................    17.901     137.3     136.7         .5        -.4         .8         .0        -.3
 Nondurables less food and apparel ..........    13.064     142.4     141.7         .4        -.5         .8        -.1        -.5
 Nondurables ................................    35.651     147.2     147.0        1.1        -.1         .3         .1        -.1
 Services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/ ........    27.613     169.0     169.1        2.7         .1         .3         .4         .3
 Services less medical care services ........    47.738     172.7     172.8        2.9         .1         .3         .4         .2
 Energy .....................................     7.901     111.0     110.1        -.7        -.8        1.2         .1        -.3
 All items less energy ......................    92.099     165.2     165.3        1.9         .1         .1         .2         .1
   All items less food and energy ...........    74.350     167.1     167.2        2.0         .1         .2         .2         .1
     Commodities less food and
         energy commodities .................    24.996     142.2     142.2         .3         .0         .2         .1         .0
       Energy commodities ...................     4.312     105.8     104.0       -3.9       -1.7        1.2        -.4       -2.1
     Services less energy services ..........    49.354     183.9     184.0        2.9         .1         .2         .3         .1
 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar:
   1982-84=$1.00 1/ .........................      -        $.631     $.631       -1.7         .0        -.3        -.2         .0
   1967=$1.00 1/ ............................      -         .212      .212        -          -          -          -          -


    1/     Not seasonally adjusted.
    2/     This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 1998.
    3/     Indexes on a December 1984=100 base.
    4/     This index series will no longer appear in its present form after December, 1997.
           See Table X for a comparable index series.
    -      Data not available.
    NOTE:  Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.


  Table 5. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and
  commodity and service group

  (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

                                                   Seasonally adjusted indexes             Seasonally adjusted annual rate
                                                                                                 percent change for
                                                                                         3 months ended-           6 months ended-
                                                  Aug.    Sept.   Oct.    Nov.    Feb.     May    Aug.    Nov.      May      Nov.
                                                  1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997     1997      1997

               Expenditure category

  All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        2.3     0.3     2.1     2.0      1.3       2.0

    Food and beverages .........................   158.1   158.2   158.5   158.7      .3     1.0     3.6     1.5       .6       2.6
      Food .....................................   157.6   157.8   158.1   158.3      .3      .8     3.6     1.8       .5       2.7
        Food at home ...........................   158.2   158.2   158.6   158.7    -1.3      .3     4.1     1.3      -.5       2.7
          Cereals and bakery products ..........   177.5   177.9   178.4   178.6      .0     1.6     1.8     2.5       .8       2.2
          Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......   149.1   148.7   148.4   148.4     -.3      .8     2.5    -1.9       .3        .3
          Dairy products 1/ ....................   143.0   143.2   145.5   146.8    -8.3    -2.4    -5.7    11.1     -5.4       2.4
          Fruits and vegetables 2/..............   190.9   190.2   191.1   191.4    -2.7    -5.5    15.6     1.1     -4.1       8.1
          Other food at home ...................   147.9   148.3   148.2   147.6     2.2     5.1     4.7     -.8      3.7       1.9
            Sugar and sweets ...................   147.5   148.2   147.7   148.3     5.3     1.6      .0     2.2      3.5       1.1
            Fats and oils ......................   141.3   142.0   141.4   141.2      .3      .0     -.8     -.3       .1       -.6
            Nonalcoholic beverages .............   135.6   135.4   135.2   133.7     -.6    17.8    10.7    -5.5      8.2       2.3
            Other prepared food ................   161.4   162.1   162.3   162.1     3.6    -1.0     3.5     1.7      1.3       2.6
        Food away from home ....................   157.4   157.8   158.1   158.5     2.9     1.3     3.1     2.8      2.1       3.0
      Alcoholic beverages ......................   162.8   162.8   163.0   163.2     2.3     2.0     2.7     1.0      2.1       1.9

    Housing 2/ .................................   153.4   153.9   154.2   154.8     2.9     1.3     1.8     3.7      2.1       2.8
      Shelter ..................................   171.6   172.0   172.5   172.9     3.1     3.4     2.6     3.1      3.2       2.8
        Renters' costs 3/ 4/....................   162.4   162.9   163.6   163.7     3.3     3.8     2.2     3.2      3.6       2.7
          Rent, residential ....................   167.0   167.5   167.9   168.3     2.5     3.5     3.2     3.2      3.0       3.2
          Other renters' costs 4/ ..............   223.9   224.7   227.5   226.5     7.4     4.6     -.7     4.7      6.0       2.0
        Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/ ................   166.1   166.5   166.8   167.3     3.0     3.0     2.9     2.9      3.0       2.9
          Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ...........   166.5   166.8   167.1   167.6     3.0     3.2     2.9     2.7      3.1       2.8
          Household insurance 3/ 4/ ............   150.3   151.1   151.2   151.3    -2.4     1.3     2.4     2.7      -.5       2.6
        Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ..........   143.8   141.1   142.6   142.8     2.3     2.9     6.1    -2.8      2.6       1.6
          Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/    156.5   152.2   154.4   154.7     1.1     4.3    12.7    -4.5      2.7       3.7
          Maintenance and repair
              commodities 1/ 4/ ................   128.0   127.2   127.8   127.9     3.8      .9    -1.9     -.3      2.4      -1.1
      Fuel and other utilities 2/...............   129.5   130.4   130.9   132.2     6.0    -6.5     1.6     8.6      -.5       5.0
        Fuels ..................................   114.7   115.8   116.5   118.3     9.3   -13.1      .3    13.2     -2.6       6.6
          Fuel oil and other household fuel
              commodities ......................    96.5    96.6    96.4    96.9     -.8   -22.1   -11.9     1.7    -12.0      -5.3
          Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
              services).........................   122.2   123.5   124.3   126.4    10.1   -12.1     1.7    14.5     -1.6       7.9
        Other utilities and public services 4/ .   162.8   163.3   163.5   164.0     2.0     2.0     3.3     3.0      2.0       3.1
      Household furnishings and operation 2/ ...   123.6   123.7   123.8   123.8      .3     2.0    -1.9      .6      1.1       -.6
        Housefurnishings 4/ ....................   109.0   108.9   109.0   108.8      .0     1.5    -4.3     -.7       .7      -2.5
        Housekeeping supplies ..................   143.4   143.8   143.8   144.1     2.3     1.7     -.8     2.0      2.0        .6
        Housekeeping services 4/ ...............   155.5   156.0   156.2   156.8      .0     3.5     4.2     3.4      1.7       3.8

    Apparel and upkeep .........................   131.5   131.7   131.8   131.9     3.4     3.4    -4.1     1.2      3.4      -1.5
      Apparel commodities 4/ ...................   128.0   128.2   128.3   128.5     3.5     3.5    -4.8     1.6      3.5      -1.7
        Men's and boys' apparel ................   130.4   130.8   130.7   130.3    -1.2     6.4      .9     -.3      2.5        .3
        Women's and girls' apparel .............   123.6   124.5   123.7   124.7    10.8     2.6    -9.4     3.6      6.6      -3.1
        Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ......   128.4   128.3   127.7   127.1     1.3    23.0   -17.9    -4.0     11.6     -11.2
        Footwear ...............................   129.0   128.3   130.5   129.6    -1.6     1.6     2.5     1.9       .0       2.2
        Other apparel commodities 4/............   144.6   142.8   144.2   144.4    -5.0    -5.0    -3.3     -.6     -5.0      -1.9
      Apparel services 1/ 4/ ...................   162.7   162.8   162.8   162.6     3.3     1.5     2.0     -.2      2.4        .9

    Transportation .............................   143.4   144.0   143.9   142.9     2.5    -6.4     1.7    -1.4     -2.1        .1
      Private transportation ...................   141.3   141.7   141.5   140.6     3.4    -7.3     2.3    -2.0     -2.1        .1
        New vehicles ...........................   145.4   145.6   145.4   144.8     -.5      .0     -.5    -1.6      -.3      -1.1
          New cars .............................   141.3   141.3   141.0   140.6     -.6      .0     -.6    -2.0      -.3      -1.3
        Used cars ..............................   149.5   149.2   148.5   148.3     1.0    -5.0   -13.7    -3.2     -2.0      -8.6
        Motor fuel .............................   106.3   107.8   107.3   104.9    13.1   -29.9    15.7    -5.2    -10.9       4.7
          Gasoline .............................   106.1   107.8   107.2   104.6    13.2   -30.3    18.0    -5.5    -11.2       5.6
        Maintenance and repairs ................   164.4   164.4   164.6   164.9     1.5     3.3     3.0     1.2      2.4       2.1
        Other private transportation 4/.........   173.6   173.7   173.6   173.6     1.4     1.6     2.6      .0      1.5       1.3
          Other private transportation
              commodities 4/....................   104.1   103.9   103.7   103.6     -.8     -.4      .8    -1.9      -.6       -.6
          Other private transportation
              services 4/ ......................   191.2   191.4   191.4   191.4     1.9     1.9     2.8      .4      1.9       1.6
      Public transportation ....................   182.3   184.4   188.4   185.2   -12.1    11.6    -5.5     6.5     -1.0        .3

    Medical care ...............................   234.7   235.1   235.6   236.2     2.3     3.7     1.7     2.6      3.0       2.2
      Medical care commodities .................   212.5   212.9   212.9   213.6     2.9     4.0    -1.1     2.1      3.5        .5
      Medical care services ....................   239.5   240.0   240.5   241.1     2.1     3.8     2.2     2.7      2.9       2.4
        Professional medical services ..........   217.7   218.0   218.4   218.9     2.9     4.6     2.6     2.2      3.7       2.4
    Entertainment 4/ ...........................   161.0   160.6   160.7   160.3     1.8     1.0     4.1    -1.7      1.4       1.1
      Entertainment commodities 4/ .............   143.6   143.7   143.3   142.9      .6    -1.7     3.1    -1.9      -.6        .6
      Entertainment services 4/ ................   185.6   184.8   185.5   184.9     2.7     4.5     4.4    -1.5      3.6       1.4

    Other goods and services 2/.................   222.7   223.9   225.6   226.4     4.1     6.4     2.9     6.8      5.3       4.9
      Tobacco and smoking products .............   242.7   246.1   249.9   250.2     2.9     9.1      .5    12.9      5.9       6.5
      Personal care 1/ .........................   152.4   152.6   153.3   154.3      .3     3.2     -.5     5.1      1.7       2.2
        Toilet goods and personal care
            appliances 1/ ......................   144.4   144.7   145.4   147.1    -3.3     2.2    -1.6     7.7      -.5       2.9
        Personal care services 1/ ..............   162.8   163.0   163.5   163.7     5.4     4.0     1.0     2.2      4.7       1.6
      Personal and educational expenses 4/ .....   257.5   257.9   259.0   259.8     6.1     5.7     5.5     3.6      5.9       4.5
        School books and supplies ..............   243.1   243.1   244.5   245.2     2.9     6.5     7.9     3.5      4.7       5.7
        Personal and educational services 4/ ...   258.8   259.2   260.3   261.2     6.3     5.7     5.3     3.8      6.0       4.5












  Table 5. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and
  commodity and service group

  (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted) - Continued

                                                   Seasonally adjusted indexes             Seasonally adjusted annual rate
                                                                                                 percent change for
                                                                                         3 months ended-           6 months ended-
                                                  Aug.    Sept.   Oct.    Nov.    Feb.     May    Aug.    Nov.      May      Nov.
                                                  1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997    1997     1997      1997

           Commodity and service group

  All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        2.3      .3     2.1     2.0      1.3       2.0
    Commodities ................................   141.9   142.2   142.3   142.1     2.0    -2.2     1.4      .6      -.1       1.0
      Food and beverages .......................   158.1   158.2   158.5   158.7      .3     1.0     3.6     1.5       .6       2.6
      Commodities less food and beverages ......   131.9   132.4   132.4   131.9     3.1    -4.1     -.6      .0      -.6       -.3
        Nondurables less food and beverages ....   134.3   135.2   135.3   134.7     4.2    -5.8     1.8     1.2      -.9       1.5
          Apparel commodities 4/ ...............   128.0   128.2   128.3   128.5     3.5     3.5    -4.8     1.6      3.5      -1.7
          Nondurables less food, beverages,
              and apparel ......................   140.2   141.3   141.2   140.3     6.7    -9.5     3.8      .3     -1.7       2.0
        Durables ...............................   127.7   127.7   127.6   127.2      .0     -.9    -4.3    -1.6      -.5      -2.9
    Services ...................................   176.9   177.4   177.9   178.4     3.0     2.5     2.5     3.4      2.8       3.0
      Rent of shelter 3/ .......................   165.3   165.8   166.2   166.6     3.3     3.2     2.7     3.2      3.2       2.9
      Household services less rent
          of shelter 3/ 4/......................   133.4   134.2   134.8   135.9     5.2    -3.5     1.8     7.7       .8       4.7
      Transportation services ..................   183.0   183.4   184.1   183.7     -.7     3.8     1.5     1.5      1.6       1.5
      Medical care services ....................   239.5   240.0   240.5   241.1     2.1     3.8     2.2     2.7      2.9       2.4
      Other services ...........................   208.4   208.3   209.1   209.3     4.9     4.8     4.5     1.7      4.8       3.1

                 Special indexes

  All items less food ..........................   157.5   158.0   158.3   158.4     2.9      .3     1.5     2.3      1.5       1.9
  All items less shelter .......................   154.1   154.5   154.8   154.8     2.1     -.8     1.8     1.8       .7       1.8
  All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/........   147.9   148.3   148.6   148.7     2.5     -.3     1.6     2.2      1.1       1.9
  All items less medical care ..................   154.1   154.5   154.8   154.9     2.4      .0     2.1     2.1      1.2       2.1
  Commodities less food ........................   133.4   133.8   133.8   133.4     3.0    -3.8     -.3      .0      -.4       -.1
  Nondurables less food ........................   135.9   137.0   137.0   136.6     4.5    -6.3     2.4     2.1     -1.0       2.2
  Nondurables less food and apparel ............   141.8   142.9   142.8   142.1     4.6    -9.4     6.5      .8     -2.7       3.6
  Nondurables ..................................   146.5   147.0   147.1   147.0     2.5    -3.0     3.6     1.4      -.3       2.5
  Services less rent of shelter 3/ .............   167.8   168.3   169.0   169.5     2.9     1.5     2.4     4.1      2.2       3.3
  Services less medical care services ..........   171.5   172.0   172.7   173.1     2.9     2.4     2.6     3.8      2.6       3.2
  Energy .......................................   110.0   111.3   111.4   111.1    11.2   -21.9     7.6     4.1     -6.8       5.8
  All items less energy ........................   164.6   164.8   165.2   165.4     1.5     2.5     1.7     2.0      2.0       1.8
    All items less food and energy .............   166.5   166.8   167.1   167.3     2.2     2.9     1.0     1.9      2.6       1.5
      Commodities less food and energy
          commodities ..........................   141.5   141.8   141.9   141.9     1.1     1.4    -2.5     1.1      1.3       -.7
        Energy commodities .....................   105.7   107.0   106.6   104.4    11.9   -29.1    13.1    -4.8    -10.9       3.7
      Services less energy services ............   183.2   183.6   184.1   184.3     2.5     3.6     2.9     2.4      3.0       2.7


     1/     Not seasonally adjusted.
     2/     This index series will undergo a change in composition in January, 1998.
     3/     Indexes on a December 1984=100 base.
     4/     This index series will no longer appear in its present form after December, 1997.
            See Table X for a comparable index series.
     -      Data not available.
     NOTE:  Index applies to a month as a whole, not to any specific date.


 Table 6. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: Selected areas, all items index

 (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)

                                                                  Indexes                Percent change to       Percent change to
                   Area                     Pricing                                       Nov. 1997 from-         Oct. 1997 from-
                                           schedule    Aug.    Sept.   Oct.    Nov.    Nov.    Sept.   Oct.    Oct.    Aug.    Sept.
                                              1/       1997    1997    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997



 U.S. city average ......................      M        157.8   158.3   158.5   158.5     1.7     0.1     0.0     1.9     0.4     0.1

         Region and area size 2/

 Northeast urban.........................      M        164.9   165.6   165.8   165.7     1.7      .1     -.1     2.1      .5      .1
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        164.5   165.4   165.5   165.5     1.8      .1      .0     2.1      .6      .1
   Size B -  500,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        163.7   163.4   163.5   163.2     1.6     -.1     -.2     2.1     -.1      .1
   Size C -  50,000 to 500,000 3/........      M        167.8   168.6   168.9   168.9     1.7      .2      .0     2.2      .7      .2

 North Central urban ....................      M        153.6   153.9   154.0   154.0     1.5      .1      .0     2.0      .3      .1
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        153.6   153.9   153.9   153.8     1.7     -.1     -.1     2.1      .2      .0
   Size B -  360,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        152.3   152.3   152.7   153.0     1.5      .5      .2     1.7      .3      .3
   Size C -  50,000 to 360,000 3/........      M        156.1   156.9   156.9   156.5     1.3     -.3     -.3     2.1      .5      .0
   Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
             (less than 50,000) .........      M        150.9   151.5   151.1   151.6     1.0      .1      .3     1.3      .1     -.3

 South urban ............................      M        155.5   155.9   156.1   156.2     1.6      .2      .1     1.7      .4      .1
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        154.0   154.5   154.7   154.5     1.6      .0     -.1     1.8      .5      .1
   Size B -  450,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        156.5   156.6   156.8   157.1     1.7      .3      .2     1.9      .2      .1
   Size C -  50,000 to 450,000 3/........      M        155.9   156.4   156.9   157.1     1.6      .4      .1     1.4      .6      .3
   Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
             (less than 50,000) .........      M        157.0   157.7   157.3   157.5     1.5     -.1      .1     1.6      .2     -.3

 West urban .............................      M        158.0   158.6   159.3   159.2     2.1      .4     -.1     2.2      .8      .4
   Size A -  More than 1,250,000 ........      M        156.5   157.2   157.9   157.7     2.2      .3     -.1     2.3      .9      .4
   Size C -  50,000 to 330,000 3/........      M        163.5   164.1   164.9   165.6     3.0      .9      .4     2.9      .9      .5

 Size classes
   A 4/ .................................      M        143.9   144.4   144.7   144.6     1.8      .1     -.1     2.1      .6      .2
   B 3/ .................................      M        158.0   158.0   158.3   158.4     1.5      .3      .1     1.9      .2      .2
   C 3/ .................................      M        159.4   160.0   160.4   160.5     1.8      .3      .1     1.9      .6      .3
   D ....................................      M        156.0   156.6   156.7   156.9     1.2      .2      .1     1.3      .4      .1

           Selected local areas

 Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI......      M        156.7   156.4   156.9   157.2     1.8      .5      .2     2.1      .1      .3
 Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ......      M        154.0   154.7   155.4   154.9     1.3      .1     -.3     1.4      .9      .5
 N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT      M        166.7   167.7   168.1   168.0     2.0      .2     -.1     2.3      .8      .2
 Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton,
 PA-NJ-DE-MD 5/ .........................      M        165.9   167.9   166.8   165.9     1.2    -1.2     -.5     1.6      .5     -.7
 San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA 5/ ..      M        158.1   158.6   159.5   159.5     3.4      .6      .0     3.4      .9      .6

 Baltimore, MD 6/ .......................      1         -      155.6    -      154.6      .7     -.6    -       -       -       -
 Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ...........      1         -      166.2    -      167.8     1.5     1.0    -       -       -       -
 Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH .............      1         -      149.2    -      149.1     2.0     -.1    -       -       -       -
 Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ..............      1         -      156.1    -      157.0     1.6      .6    -       -       -       -
 St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL 7/ .....      1         -      154.0    -      151.9      .9    -1.4    -       -       -       -
 Washington, DC-MD-VA 6/ ................      1         -      161.1    -      159.1      .3    -1.2    -       -       -       -

 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX ..................      2        151.1    -      152.8    -       -       -       -        1.4     1.1    -
 Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI ..................      2        151.6    -      152.4    -       -       -       -        2.4      .5    -
 Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .........      2        144.9    -      146.3    -       -       -       -        2.7     1.0    -
 Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA 7/ ........      2        151.0    -      151.3    -       -       -       -        2.2      .2    -


    1/     Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all areas; most other goods and services priced as
           indicated:
             M - Every month.
             1 - January, March, May, July, September, and November.
             2 - February, April, June, August, October, and December.
    2/     Regions defined as the four Census regions.  See map in technical notes.
    3/     Starting in January, 1998, a new Size Class B/C will be introduced, composed of current
           Size Class B and Size Class C cities.  There will be no individual Size Class B or Size Class C.
    4/     Indexes on a December 1986=100 base.
    5/     Indexes for the cities of Philadelphia and San Francisco will no longer be published on a monthly
           basis starting in January, 1998.  Beginning in February, 1998 they will be published on a
           bi-monthly basis.
    6/     Indexes for the cities of Washington and Baltimore will no longer be published separately after December, 1997.
           Beginning in January, 1998 the two cities will be published as a Washington-Baltimore
           combined metropolitan area.
    7/     Indexes for the cities of Pittsburgh and St. Louis will no longer be published on a bi-monthly
           basis after December, 1997.  Beginning in July, 1998 they will be published semi-annually, each
           January and July.
    -      Data not available.
    NOTE:  Local area CPI indexes are byproducts of the national CPI program.  Each local index has a smaller sample size than
           the national index and is, therefore, subject to substantially more sampling and other measurement error.  As a
           result, local area indexes show greater volatility than the national index, although their long-term trends are
           similar.  Therefore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics strongly urges users to consider adopting the national average
           CPI for use in their escalator clauses.