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FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION:         TRANSMISSION OF MATERIAL IN
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MEDIA CONTACT:  (202) 606-5902     UNTIL 8:30 A.M. (E.D.T), FRIDAY,
http://stats.bls.gov/ppihome.htm   APRIL 11, 1997
                                     
                    Producer Price Indexes - March 1997
     
     The Producer Price Index for Finished Goods declined 0.1 percent in
March, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U. S.
Department of Labor reported today.  This followed decreases of 0.4 percent
in February and 0.3 percent in January.  Prices received by domestic
producers of intermediate goods fell 0.6 percent in March after declining
0.1 percent the previous month.  The Crude Goods Price Index dropped 6.9
percent in March following a 5.9-percent decrease in February.  (See table
A.)

     Among finished goods in March, prices for finished goods other than
foods and energy turned up 0.4 percent following a 0.1-percent decline in
the previous month.  The index for finished consumer foods also increased
after falling in February.  By contrast, prices for energy goods decreased
more than a month ago.

Table A.  Monthly and annual percent changes in selected stage-of-
processing
price indexes, seasonally adjusted
                     Finish                                  
                         ed
                      goods
                                                             
                                     Change in            
                            Except   finished   Inter-    
                                       goods
                             foods    from 12   mediateCrude
                              and     months
Month  Total  Foods  Energy energy      ago      goods goods
                                     (unadj.)
 1996                                                     
 Mar.     0.5    0.8    2.5     0.0         2.4    0.2   -1.2
 Apr.     0.2   -0.3    2.1       0         2.4    0.3    4.0
 May      0.2    0.2   -0.6     0.2         2.3    0.4    1.1
 June     0.3    1.4   -0.8     0.1         2.7   -0.3   -2.4
 July       0    0.1    0.4       0         2.6   -0.2    2.2
 Aug.     0.3    0.7    0.6     0.1         3.0    0.2    0.6
Sept.     0.3    0.4    0.7     0.1         3.0    0.4   -2.6
 Oct.     0.4    0.8    1.7    -0.1         3.1   -0.2   -0.7
 Nov.    r0.2     r0   r0.9      r0         3.0  r-0.2   r2.7
 Dec.    r0.5  r-0.2   r3.5     0.1         2.8   r0.6   r3.8
                                                             
 1997                                                        
 Jan.    -0.3   -1.0   -0.2       0         2.5    0.2    5.2
 Feb.    -0.4   -0.3   -1.2    -0.1         2.2   -0.1   -5.9
 Mar.    -0.1    0.9   -3.4     0.4         1.6   -0.6   -6.9
r=revised.  Some of the figures shown above and elsewhere in this release
may differ from those previously reported because data for November 1996 
have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and
corrections by respondents.
                                    -2-
     
     During the first quarter of 1997, the Finished Goods Price Index moved
downward at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.0 percent following a
4.3-percent rate of increase during the fourth quarter of 1996.  The index
for finished energy goods fell at a 18.0-percent annual rate from December
1996 to March 1997 after rising at a 27.3-percent annual rate over the last
three months of 1996.  The index for finished consumer foods turned down at
an annual rate of 1.8 percent from December to March after increasing at a
2.4-percent rate during the fourth quarter of 1996.  The rate of increase
for the finished goods index less foods and energy was 0.8 percent in the
first quarter of 1997 after showing no change in the fourth quarter.
Prices for capital equipment and consumer durable goods turned up after
declining in the previous quarter, and  consumer nondurables less foods
turned down after advancing in the final quarter of 1996.
     
     Before seasonal adjustment, the Producer Price Index for Finished
Goods registered no change in March.  The index stood at 132.2 (1982=100).
From March 1996 to March 1997, the Finished Goods Price Index rose 1.6
percent.  Over the same period, prices for finished consumer foods
increased 2.5 percent, the index for finished energy goods advanced 3.5
percent, and prices for finished goods other than foods and energy were up
0.8 percent.  Prices received by domestic producers of intermediate goods
increased 0.6 percent for the 12 months ended in March, and the index for
crude goods rose 0.3 percent during this same period.
     
Table B.  Monthly and annual percent changes in selected price indexes for
intermediate
goods and crude goods, seasonally adjusted
              Interm                           Crude           
              ediate                           goods
              goods
                            Change in                        Change in
                            intermedi                          crude
                               ate
                     Exclud   goods                  Excludi   goods
                      ing      from                    ng
                     foods  12 months         Energy  foods   from 12
                      and      ago                     and   months ago
Month  Foods  Energy energy  (unadj.)   Foods (unadj energy   (unadj.)
                                                .)
 1996                                                             
 Mar.     0.2    2.0   -0.2        0.7    0.3   -2.5   -2.1     7.5
 Apr.     1.9    3.4   -0.1        0.6    3.5    8.3   -1.3     10.4
 May      3.8    0.6    0.1        0.7    5.8   -4.6    0.7     12.7
 June     0.7   -2.4      0        0.3    0.7   -6.8   -1.8     9.6
 July     0.4      0   -0.3       -0.1    1.7    5.4   -1.6     13.2
 Aug.     0.3    0.8    0.1        0.1   -0.6    2.4    0.5     15.4
Sept.     0.8    1.1    0.2        0.6   -3.5   -3.3    0.5     10.1
 Oct.    -2.0    1.3   -0.2        0.5   -3.1    2.1   -0.1     9.4
 Nov.   r-3.2  r-0.2    0.1       r0.5  r-2.5  r11.1  r-0.2    r10.6
 Dec.    r1.0   r2.6    0.1        0.8  r-2.6  r12.9  r-0.1     12.2
                                                                  
 1997                                                             
 Jan.    -0.8    1.1    0.1        1.0   -1.0   12.9    2.0     15.1
 Feb.    -0.8   -0.6      0        1.2   -1.9  -12.4    1.0     6.3
 Mar.     1.4   -4.6      0        0.6    2.1  -19.2    0.6     0.3
r=revised.  Some of the figures shown above and elsewhere in this release
may differ from those previously reported because data for November 1996 
have been revised to reflect the availability of late reports and 
corrections by respondents.

                                    -3-

Finished Goods

     The Producer Price Index for Finished Consumer Foods increased 0.9
percent in March after declining 0.3 percent in February.  The index for
beef and veal turned up 6.8 percent after dropping 4.3 percent a month ago.
Prices for finfish and shellfish and for soft drinks also turned up after
falling in the prior month.  The index for roasted coffee rose faster than
in the previous month.  By contrast, prices for eggs for fresh use turned
down 6.6 percent after advancing 1.5 percent in February.  The index for
bakery products also declined in March after rising in the prior month.
Prices for fresh fruits and melons decreased after registering no change in
February.  The index for dairy products rose less than a month ago.
     
     The index for finished consumer goods excluding foods and energy
increased 0.3 percent in March after falling 0.1 percent in February.  This
index increased at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 0.8 percent from
December 1996 to March 1997 after rising at a rate of 0.3 percent in the
fourth quarter of 1996.  In March, prices for tobacco products turned up
2.5 percent following a 0.2-percent decline the previous month.  The
indexes for alcoholic beverages, prescription drugs, and book publishing
also rose after decreasing a month ago.  Conversely, prices for women's
apparel increased 0.1 percent in March after advancing 0.2 percent in
February.  The index for cosmetics and other toilet preparations rose less
than in the prior month.  Prices for home electronic equipment fell after
showing no change in February.  The index for footwear was unchanged after
increasing a month ago.
     
     The index for capital equipment turned up 0.3 percent in March after
falling 0.1 percent in February.  Prices for civilian aircraft increased
2.1 percent after registering no change in the previous month.  The indexes
for electronic computers and for x-ray and electromedical equipment fell
less than a month ago.  Prices for light motor trucks showed no change in
March following a decline of 0.3 percent in February.  By contrast, the
index for communication and related equipment turned down 0.4 percent after
rising 0.1 percent in the prior month.  Prices for heavy motor trucks,
paper industries machinery, metal forming machine tools, and for
transformers and power regulators also dropped after rising in the previous
month.    The index for railroad equipment fell more than a month ago.
     
     The Producer Price Index for Finished Energy Goods decreased 3.4
percent in March following a decline of 1.2 percent in February.  Prices
for residential natural gas turned down 4.8 percent after advancing 0.2
percent in February.  The indexes for home heating oil and gasoline fell
more in March than in the previous month.  Prices for residential electric
power turned down in March after increasing in February.  By contrast, the
index for finished lubricants increased 3.8 percent after rising 0.2
percent in the prior month.
     
Intermediate goods

     The Producer Price Index for Intermediate Materials, Supplies, and
Components declined 0.6 percent in March, seasonally adjusted, after
falling 0.1 percent a month earlier.  During the first quarter, this index
fell at a 1.9-percent seasonally adjusted annual rate after increasing at a
1.0-percent rate in the fourth quarter of 1996.  In March, prices for both
energy goods and nondurable manufacturing materials dropped more than in
February.  The index for construction materials rose slightly less than a
month ago.  By contrast, prices for intermediate foods and feeds turned up
after declining in the prior month.  The index for durable manufacturing
materials rose more than in February.  Excluding food and energy, the
intermediate materials index was unchanged for the second consecutive
month.  (See table B.)
                                    -4-
                                     
     The index for intermediate energy goods fell 4.6 percent after
dropping 0.6 percent a month ago.  These prices declined at a 15.6-percent
seasonally adjusted annual rate during the first quarter after increasing
at a 15.9-percent rate from September to December.  In March, prices for
diesel fuel turned down 10.7 percent after rising 1.6 percent in the prior
month.  The indexes for jet fuels and residual fuel also fell after rising
in February.  Prices for liquefied petroleum gas and utility natural gas
declined more than in the previous month.  Conversely, the index for coke
oven products increased 1.2 percent following a 0.1-percent rise in
February.  Prices for miscellaneous petroleum and coal products rose after
falling a month ago.

     Prices for nondurable manufacturing materials declined 0.5 percent
following a 0.2 percent decrease in February.  This index fell at a 2.1-
percent seasonally adjusted annual rate from December to March after
declining at a 0.3-percent rate in the fourth quarter of 1996.  In March,
prices for basic organic chemicals turned down 0.7 percent following an
increase of the same amount a month earlier.  The index for synthetic
fibers also fell after increasing in February.  Prices for alkalies and
chlorine, nitrogenates, and for inedible fats and oils declined more than
in the prior month.  The index for plastic resins and materials rose less
than a month ago.  By contrast, prices for paper declined 0.1 percent after
falling 0.6 percent in the previous month.  The index for woodpulp also
decreased less than in February.  Prices for phosphates turned up following
a decline a month ago.  The index for aluminum compounds rose more than in
the prior month.

     The index for construction materials rose 0.3 percent following a 0.4-
percent increase in the prior month.  From December to March, prices for
construction materials advanced at a 3.4-percent seasonally adjusted annual
rate after showing no change in the fourth quarter.  In March, price
increases for softwood lumber, plywood, nonferrous wire and cable,
millwork, and gypsum products outweighed decreases for plastic construction
products, plumbing fixtures and brass fittings, asphalt felts and coatings,
and switchgear.

     The index for durable manufacturing materials increased 0.7 percent
after advancing 0.4 percent a month ago.  Durable manufacturing material
prices rose at a 5.3-percent seasonally adjusted annual rate from December
to March following a 1.5-percent rate in the fourth quarter.  In March,
prices for copper increased 8.3 percent after declining 1.3 percent in the
previous month.  The indexes for gold, building paper, and for copper and
brass mill shapes also turned up after falling in February.  Prices for
aluminum and hardwood lumber rose more than in the prior month.  On the
other hand, the index for cold rolled sheets and strip fell 0.4 percent
following a 0.9-percent rise a month ago.  Prices for hot rolled bars,
plates, and structural shapes and for cement also turned down after rising
in the previous month.  The index for aluminum mill shapes increased less
than in February.  Prices for hot rolled sheet and strip showed no change
after rising a month ago.

     The index for intermediate foods and feeds gained 1.4 percent
following a 0.8-percent decline in February.  From December to March, this
index fell at a 0.9-percent seasonally adjusted annual rate after
decreasing at a 15.8-percent rate in the fourth quarter.  In March, prices
for prepared animal feeds rose 3.6 percent after remaining unchanged in the
prior month.  The indexes for beef and veal, crude vegetable oils, and
confectionery materials turned up after declining a month ago.  By
contrast, prices for flour dropped 2.7 percent after increasing 1.3 percent
in the previous month.  The index for canned meats also turned down after
rising in the prior month.  Prices for malt and malt byproducts fell more
than in February. The index for natural and processed cheese increased less
than a month ago.
                                    -5-

Crude Goods

     The Producer Price Index for Crude Materials for Further Processing
declined 6.9 percent, seasonally adjusted, following a 5.9-percent decline
in February.  This index fell at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 28.0
percent in the first quarter following a 25.5-percent rate of increase in
the final quarter of 1996.  In March, the index for energy materials
decreased more than in the prior month.  The index for basic industrial
materials increased less than a month ago.  By contrast, the index for
foodstuffs and feedstuffs turned up after falling a month earlier.  (See
table B.)

     The index for crude energy materials decreased 19.2 percent following
a 12.4-percent decline in February.  This index fell at a seasonally
adjusted annual rate of 59.1 percent following a 169.7-percent rate of
increase in the fourth quarter.  In March, prices for natural gas dropped
29.2 percent after falling 14.7 percent in the prior month.  The index for
crude petroleum decreased more than a month ago.  By contrast, prices for
coal turned up 3.2 percent after falling 3.7 percent in February.

     The index for crude nonfood materials less energy advanced 0.6
percent, following a 1.0-percent advance in February.  This index rose at a
seasonally adjusted annual rate of 15.5 percent in the first quarter
following a 1.6-percent rate of decline from September 1996 to December
1996.  In March, prices for iron and steel scrap turned down 2.2 percent
after rising 5.2 percent a month ago.  The index for softwood logs, bolts,
and timber also fell after increasing in the prior month.  Prices for
pulpwood rose less than a month earlier.  The index for other roundwood
products showed no change after rising in the previous month.  By contrast,
prices for nonferrous metal ores rose 4.6 percent after showing no change
in February.  The indexes for wastepaper and aluminum base scrap increased
more than a month ago.  Prices for copper base scrap and raw cotton turned
up after falling in the prior month.

     The index for crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs advanced 2.1 percent
following a 1.9-percent decline in February.  This index fell at a
seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.4 percent during the first quarter
following a 28.2-percent rate of decline in the final quarter of 1996.  In
March, prices for slaughter cattle gained 6.9 percent after falling 2.3
percent a month ago.  The index for corn rose more than in the previous
month.  Prices for fluid milk turned up following a decline in the previous
month.  Prices for soybeans advanced more than a month ago.  The index for
unprocessed finfish rose after falling in the prior month.  By contrast,
prices for slaughter broilers and fryers fell 15.7 percent following a 2.9-
percent decrease in February.  The index for fresh fruits and melons fell
after showing no change in the prior month.  Prices for slaughter turkeys
turned down after rising a month ago.  The index for Irish potatoes for
processing fell more than in the previous month.
     
Net output price indexes for mining, manufacturing, and other industries

Mining.  The Producer Price Index for the net output of total domestic
mining industries fell 15.9 percent in March following a 9.7-percent
decline in the previous  month.  (Net output price indexes are not
seasonally adjusted.)  From December 1996 to March 1997, this index fell at
an annual rate of 51.2 percent following a 125.9-percent rate of increase
in the last quarter of 1996.  In March, the index for the oil and gas
extraction industry group dropped 20.9 percent after declining 11.7 percent
a month earlier.  By contrast, prices for the metal mining industry group
turned up after moving down in February.   The indexes for the industry
groups for bituminous coal and lignite mining and for nonmetallic minerals
mining also increased after declining in the previous month.  In March, the
Producer Price Index for total mining industries stood at 83.3 (December
1984=100), 3.0 percent higher than a year earlier.
                                    -6-
                                     
Manufacturing.  The Producer Price Index for total domestic manufacturing
industries edged down 0.1 percent in March following a 0.2-percent decline
in February.  This index moved down at a 0.9-percent annual rate in the
first quarter of 1997 after rising at a 1.9-percent rate in the previous
quarter.  In March, the largest declines were for the industry groups for
petroleum refining (-5.3 percent) and paper products (-0.8 percent).
Prices also moved down for the industry groups for textile mill products
and for electrical and electronic machinery.  The largest increases were
for the industry groups for tobacco manufactures (2.7 percent) and for food
and kindred products (0.9 percent).  Prices also increased in March for the
industry groups for lumber and wood products, primary metal industries,
apparel, and transportation equipment.  In March, the index for the net
output of the domestic manufacturing sector stood at 127.8 (December
1984=100), 1.0 percent higher than its year-earlier level.

Other.  Among other industries in March, prices for railroad line-haul
operations, local trucking without storage, refrigerated warehousing and
storage, general warehousing and storage, deep sea transportation of
freight, airports and airport services, and for operators of nonresidential
buildings turned up following declines in February.  The indexes for
freight transportation along the Great Lakes, employment agencies, help
supply, and other specialty hospitals increased after showing no change in
the prior month.  Price increases accelerated for travel agencies,
collection of nonferrous metal scrap, hotels and motels, and home health
care services.  Prices for water transportation of freight, not elsewhere
classified, fell less than in February.

     By contrast, prices for courier services, deep sea domestic
transportation of freight, freight transportation arrangement, collection
of ferrous metal scrap, truck rental and leasing, offices and clinics of
doctors of medicine, legal services, and for accounting, auditing and
bookkeeping services turned down after rising a month earlier.  The index
for nonscheduled air transportation fell after showing no change in the
previous month.  Price increases slowed for radio broadcasting, cable and
other pay television services, passenger car rental, engineering services,
and architectural services.  Prices for non-local trucking, air passenger
transportation, telephone communications, and for natural gas utilities
fell more than in February.  Prices for marine cargo handling and for real
estate agents and managers were unchanged after rising in February.
                                   *****
             Producer Price Index data for April 1997 will be
           released on Wednesday, May 14, at 8:30 a.m. (E.D.T.)
                                   *****
Information in this news release will be made available to sensory impaired
individuals upon request.  Voice phone: 202-606-7828; TDD phone: 202-606-
5897; TDD Message Referral phone: 1-800-326-2577.
                                     
                                     
                                    -7-
                                     
        BLS Data Available on the World Wide Web and Fax On Demand


     PPI data, as well as other data produced by BLS, are now available on
the World Wide Web (WWW) at 8:30 a.m. on the day that the data are
released.  The BLS home page address is http://stats.bls.gov.  There is no
charge from BLS for using this service; however, there may be a charge from
your Internet service provider.  To access data using GOPHER or Anonymous
FTP, use the Internet address: stats.bls.gov.

     For technical assistance in using the BLS Internet site, send e-mail
to: labstat.helpdesk@bls.gov.  For PPI data requests, contact the
Information Section at 202-606-7705 (telephone) or 202-606-7754 (fax).

     Also at 8:30 a.m. on the morning that PPI data are released, PPI news
release, data tables, and technical information are available from the BLS
fax-on-demand service.  To request these documents, call 202-606-6325 using
a touch tone phone.  Select option 2 at the initial voice prompt to receive
a catalog of available documents.  To request PPI data, select option 1 and
enter the appropriate document code(s) from the list below.

          Producer Price Index (PPI) most current data from the news release
          2510      Text of news release
          2515      PPIs and percent changes by stage of processing (table
                    1 of the news release and the PPI Detailed Report) and 
                    PPIs and percent changes for selected commodity groupings 
                    by stage of processing (table 2 of the news release and 
                    the PPI Detailed Report)
          2520      PPIs for selected commodity groupings (table 3 of the
                    news release) and PPIs for the net output of major 
                    industry groups (table 4 of the news release and the 
                    PPI Detailed Report)

          PPI historical data
          2525      PPIs for the most recent 12 months for the net output of
                    selected industries and their products (from table 5 of
                    the PPI Detailed Report). These data are generally 
                    available about 10:30 a.m. on the day of the release of 
                    PPI data.
          2530      PPIs for the most recent 6 months by stage of processing,
                    seasonally adjusted (for all indexes listed in table 1
                    of the news release and PPI Detailed Report)

          PPI technical information
          2620      Escalation and Producer Price Indexes: A Guide
                     for Contracting Parties - BLS Report 807
          2690      A Brief Explanation of the PPI



Table 1.  Producer Price Indexes and percent changes by stage of processing
(1982=100)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
                                                 |          |                       |Unadjusted     |
                                                 |          |                       |  percent      |Seasonally adjusted
                                                 | Relative |    Unadjusted index   |change to      |percent change from:
                    Grouping                     |importance|                       |Mar. 1997 from:|
                                                 |          |_______________________|_______________|_______________________________
                                                 |   Dec.   |       |       |       |       |       |       |         |
                                                 |           Nov.   |Feb.   |Mar.   |  Mar. | Feb.  |Dec. to|Jan.  to |Feb.  to
                                                 |   1996 1/|1996 2/|1997 2/|1997 2/|  1996 | 1997  |  Jan. |   Feb.  |  Mar.
_________________________________________________|__________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_________|____________
                                                 |
Finished goods...................................|  100.000   132.6   132.2   132.2     1.6    0       -0.3     -0.4    -0.1
  Finished consumer goods........................|   76.405   131.1   130.5   130.4     1.9    -.1      -.3      -.5     -.2
    Finished consumer foods......................|   23.635   136.1   133.8   135.3     2.5    1.1     -1.0      -.3      .9
      Crude......................................|    1.628   136.2   131.9   139.1    -4.3    5.5     -3.9      2.4     4.9
      Processed..................................|   22.007   136.1   133.9   135.0     3.1     .8      -.8      -.5      .6
    Finished consumer goods, excluding foods.....|   52.770   128.8   129.0   128.2     1.7    -.6      0        -.5     -.7
      Nondurable goods less foods................|   36.380   124.5   124.9   123.7     2.1   -1.0      0        -.6    -1.2
      Durable goods..............................|   16.390   135.2   134.9   135.0      .5     .1      -.1      0        .1
  Capital equipment..............................|   23.595   138.7   138.8   139.2      .7     .3      0        -.1      .3
    Manufacturing industries.....................|    6.031   137.5   137.8   137.9      .4     .1       .1      0        .1
    Nonmanufacturing industries..................|   17.564   139.1   139.1   139.5      .6     .3      -.1      -.1      .4
                                                 |
Intermediate materials, supplies, and components.|  100.000   125.7   126.2   125.6      .6    -.5       .2      -.1     -.6
  Materials and components for manufacturing.....|   49.074   128.0   128.5   128.5     -.1    0         .1      -.1     -.1
    Materials for food manufacturing.............|    3.392   124.8   124.0   124.2     3.0     .2      -.8     -1.3     0
    Materials for nondurable manufacturing.......|   15.604   129.5   130.0   129.5    -1.5    -.4       .1      -.2     -.5
    Materials for durable manufacturing..........|   10.977   130.8   132.6   133.5     1.8     .7       .2       .4      .7
    Components for manufacturing.................|   19.101   126.6   126.6   126.6     -.5    0         .1      -.1     -.1
  Materials and components for construction......|   12.682   144.9   145.7   146.3     2.9     .4       .1       .4      .3
  Processed fuels and lubricants.................|   13.627    91.3    92.4    88.3     2.9   -4.4      1.0      -.6    -4.6
    Manufacturing industries ....................|    5.387    93.3    94.9    90.6     2.1   -4.5      1.4     -1.2    -4.7
    Nonmanufacturing industries..................|    8.240    89.9    90.8    86.8     3.5   -4.4       .8      -.4    -4.4
  Containers.....................................|    3.536   137.5   137.4   136.6    -5.5    -.6      0        -.4     -.5
  Supplies.......................................|   21.081   135.4   135.5   136.0      .4     .4      0        -.1      .4
    Manufacturing industries.....................|    7.539   138.9   139.0   139.1      .5     .1      0        0       0
    Nonmanufacturing industries..................|   13.542   133.7   133.7   134.4      .4     .5      0        -.2      .5
      Feeds......................................|    1.610   128.2   127.8   133.0     3.5    4.1      -.7       .1     4.2
      Other supplies.............................|   11.932   134.5   134.5   134.6     0       .1       .1      -.2      .1
                                                 |
Crude materials for further processing...........|  100.000   114.8   118.1   110.3      .3   -6.6      5.2     -5.9    -6.9
  Foodstuffs and feedstuffs......................|   38.897   117.7   110.7   114.0    -1.9    3.0     -1.0     -1.9     2.1
  Nonfood materials..............................|   61.103   108.7   118.6   103.9     1.9  -12.4      9.3     -8.3   -12.5
    Nonfood materials except fuel 3/.............|   37.004   107.6   107.8   104.0     -.4   -3.5      3.1     -4.6    -3.7
      Manufacturing 3/...........................|   33.419    99.3    99.4    95.4     -.8   -4.0      3.4     -5.2    -4.0
      Construction...............................|    3.585   198.0   201.4   201.8     2.9     .2       .9       .3      .1
    Crude fuel 4/................................|   24.099   100.4   125.9    93.9     6.5  -25.4     18.9    -13.1   -25.4
      Manufacturing industries...................|    4.923    97.6   120.4    91.9     5.9  -23.7     17.6    -12.3   -23.7
      Nonmanufacturing industries................|   19.176   102.4   129.0    95.6     6.6  -25.9     19.1    -13.3   -25.9
                                                 |
               Special groupings                 |
                                                 |
Finished goods, excluding foods..................|5/ 76.365   131.5   131.6   131.2     1.3    -.3      0        -.4     -.4
Intermediate materials less foods and feeds......|6/ 94.998   125.7   126.3   125.5      .4    -.6       .2      -.1     -.6
Intermediate foods and feeds.....................|6/  5.002   126.2   125.5   127.3     3.2    1.4      -.8      -.8     1.4
Crude materials less agricultural products 3/ 7/.|8/ 58.958   108.4   118.5   103.2     2.0  -12.9      9.8     -8.6   -12.8
                                                 |
Finished energy goods............................|5/ 14.743    84.9    85.4    82.9     3.5   -2.9      -.2     -1.2    -3.4
Finished goods less energy.......................|5/ 85.257   140.7   140.1   140.8     1.2     .5      -.3      -.2      .5
Finished consumer goods less energy..............|5/ 61.662   141.5   140.6   141.4     1.5     .6      -.4      -.2      .6
                                                 |
Finished goods less foods and energy.............|5/ 61.622   142.5   142.6   143.0      .8     .3      0        -.1      .4
Finished consumer goods less foods and energy....|5/ 38.027   144.9   144.9   145.3      .9     .3      0        -.1      .3
Consumer nondurable goods less foods and energy..|5/ 21.637   151.8   152.0   152.7     1.3     .5       .1      -.3      .5
                                                 |
Intermediate energy goods........................|6/ 13.751    91.0    92.2    88.1     2.8   -4.4      1.1      -.6    -4.6
Intermediate materials less energy...............|6/ 86.249   133.2   133.6   133.8      .2     .1      0        0        .1
Intermediate materials less foods and energy.....|6/ 81.247   133.7   134.2   134.2      .1    0         .1      0       0
                                                 |
Crude energy materials 3/........................|8/ 41.094    91.9   102.7    83.0     3.0  -19.2     12.9    -12.4   -19.2
Crude materials less energy......................|8/ 58.905   126.1   122.9   125.5    -1.3    2.1      0        -.9     1.6
Crude nonfood materials less energy 4/...........|8/ 20.009   151.7   158.3   159.3      .1     .6      2.0      1.0      .6
                                                 |
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
  1/  Comprehensive relative importance figures are initially computed          3/  Includes crude petroleum.
      after the publication of December indexes and are recalculated            4/  Excludes crude petroleum.
      after final December indexes are available.  The first-published          5/  Percent of total finished goods.
      and final December relative importances initially appear,                 6/  Percent of total intermediate materials.
      respectively, in the release tables containing January and May data.      7/  Formerly titled "Crude materials for
  2/  The indexes for Nov.  1996 have been recalculated to incorporate              further processing, excluding crude
      late reports and corrections by respondents.  All indexes                     foodstuffs and feedstuffs, plant and
      are subject to revision four months after original publication.               animal fibers, oilseeds, and leaf tobacco."
                                                                                8/  Percent of total crude materials.
Table 2.  Producer Price Indexes and percent changes for selected commodity groupings by stage of processing
(1982=100 unless otherwise indicated)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
           |                                                       |                       |Unadjusted     |
           |                                                       |                       | percent       |Seasonally adjusted
           |                                                       |   Unadjusted index    |change to      |percent change from:
 Commodity |                                                       |                       |Mar. 1997 from:|
   code    |                      Grouping                         |_______________________|_______________|________________________
           |                                                       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
           |                                                       |Nov.   |Feb.   |Mar.   | Mar.  | Feb.  |Dec. to|Jan. to|Feb. to
           |                                                       |1996 1/|1997 1/|1997 1/| 1996  | 1997  |  Jan. |  Feb. |  Mar.  
___________|_______________________________________________________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|________
           |                                                       |
           |FINISHED GOODS.........................................| 132.6   132.2   132.2     1.6    0       -0.3    -0.4    -0.1
           | FINISHED CONSUMER GOODS...............................| 131.1   130.5   130.4     1.9    -.1      -.3     -.5     -.2
           |  FINISHED CONSUMER FOODS..............................| 136.1   133.8   135.3     2.5    1.1     -1.0     -.3      .9
           |                                                       |
01-11      |   Fresh fruits and melons 2/..........................| 106.6   109.0   105.3    25.2   -3.4     -6.0     0      -3.4 
01-13      |   Fresh and dry vegetables 2/.........................| 132.7   123.3   139.7   -29.7   13.3      4.2    13.4    13.3  
01-71-07   |   Eggs for fresh use (Dec. 1991=100) 2/...............| 114.7   105.8    98.8   -10.5   -6.6    -19.8     1.5    -6.6  
02-11      |   Bakery products 2/..................................| 172.8   173.1   173.0     3.5    -.1      -.1      .1     -.1  
02-13      |   Milled rice 2/......................................| 127.3   128.9   127.3     1.5   -1.2      0       1.5    -1.2  
02-14-02   |   Pasta products (June 1985=100) 2/...................| 128.8   128.5   128.5      .9    0         .2      .2     0   
02-21-01   |   Beef and veal.......................................| 108.7    98.2   106.6    12.0    8.6     -3.8    -4.3     6.8
02-21-04   |   Pork................................................| 123.5   122.2   118.5     6.8   -3.0     -2.1    -4.4    -3.6
02-22-03   |   Processed young chickens............................| 127.4   118.3   119.3     7.3     .8     -3.2    -1.3      .6
02-22-06   |   Processed turkeys 2/................................| 103.9    98.8    99.9    -5.3    1.1     -4.5     1.2     1.1  
02-23      |   Finfish and shellfish...............................| 175.7   172.8   186.6     8.7    8.0      1.5    -6.2     7.9
02-3       |   Dairy products......................................| 132.1   128.6   128.3     4.2    -.2      -.5      .5      .1
02-4       |   Processed fruits and vegetables 2/..................| 128.4   127.7   127.3      .6    -.3      -.3     -.2     -.3  
02-55      |   Confectionery end products 2/.......................| 167.6   168.0   168.1     1.3     .1       .4      .2      .1  
02-62      |   Soft drinks.........................................| 133.6   134.3   134.8      .2     .4     -1.0    -1.0      .8
02-63-01   |   Roasted coffee 2/...................................| 127.9   128.2   144.7     9.9   12.9       .3      .2    12.9  
02-76      |   Shortening and cooking oils 2/......................| 136.0   136.8   136.5     0      -.2       .9     0       -.2  
           |                                                       |
           |  FINISHED CONSUMER GOODS EXCLUDING FOODS..............| 128.8   129.0   128.2     1.7    -.6      0       -.5     -.7
           |                                                       |
02-61      |   Alcoholic beverages.................................| 133.3   134.4   135.4     3.0     .7       .6     -.9      .8
03-81-01   |   Women's apparel 2/..................................| 120.0   120.1   120.2      .3     .1       .1      .2      .1  
03-81-02   |   Men's and boys' apparel.............................| 132.4   132.3   132.6      .3     .2      -.2     -.2      .2
03-81-03   |   Girls', children's, and infants' apparel 2/.........| 123.5   124.4   124.4     2.1    0        0        .1     0    
03-82      |   Textile housefurnishings 2/.........................| 123.9   122.6   122.2     1.0    -.3      -.4     -.6     -.3  
04-3       |   Footwear............................................| 142.2   143.8   143.8     1.8    0         .3      .3     0
05-41      |   Residential electric power (Dec. 1990=100)..........| 110.5   110.5   110.5      .5    0        -.1      .1     -.1
05-51      |   Residential gas (Dec. 1990=100).....................| 113.0   122.2   115.9     6.3   -5.2      5.0      .2    -4.8
05-71      |   Gasoline............................................|  76.6    74.9    73.2     7.6   -2.3      2.6    -3.1    -4.0
05-73-02-01|   Fuel oil No. 2......................................|  77.1    72.4    64.0    -2.9  -11.6     -2.8    -1.1    -9.9
06-35      |   Pharmaceutical preps, ethical (Prescription)........| 266.6   271.0   273.7     4.0    1.0      1.2     -.1     1.2
06-36      |   Pharmaceutical preps,proprietary (Over-counter).....| 184.0   185.5   185.7    -1.5     .1       .3      .1      .1
06-71      |   Soaps and synthetic detergents 2/...................| 125.5   125.4   125.4      .1    0         .2     0       0    
06-75      |   Cosmetics and other toilet preparations 2/..........| 130.1   130.3   130.6      .9     .2       .2      .3      .2  
07-12      |   Tires, tubes, tread, etc 2/.........................|  95.9    96.0    95.9    -1.3    -.1      1.3    -1.1     -.1  
09-15-01   |   Sanitary papers and health products 2/..............| 148.4   146.2   145.4    -2.7    -.5     -1.1     -.7     -.5  
09-31-01   |   Newspaper circulation...............................| 201.7   201.7   201.7     2.7    0        -.5     0        .3
09-32-01   |   Periodical circulation..............................| 181.4   183.4   184.0     1.9     .3       .2     -.4      .5
09-33      |   Book publishing 2/..................................| 196.9   197.4   200.1     4.3    1.4       .1     -.3     1.4  
12-1       |   Household furniture 2/..............................| 145.2   145.6   146.0     1.3     .3       .1      .2      .3  
12-3       |   Floor coverings 2/..................................| 128.2   129.3   129.0     2.5    -.2       .6     1.5     -.2  
12-4       |   Household appliances 2/.............................| 112.4   110.9   111.0    -1.4     .1      -.1     -.5      .1  
12-5       |   Home electronic equipment 2/........................|  78.3    78.4    78.2    -1.0    -.3      -.3     0       -.3  
12-62      |   Household glassware 2/..............................| 157.9   158.5   157.8     1.1    -.4       .3      .1     -.4  
12-64      |   Household flatware 2/...............................| 137.8   138.6   138.6      .1    0        0       0       0    
12-66      |   Lawn and garden equip., ex. tractors 2/.............| 132.6   132.9   133.2      .8     .2       .3     0        .2  
14-11-01   |   Passenger cars......................................| 137.3   136.6   136.4      .2    -.1      -.4      .2      .2
15-11      |   Toys, games, and children's vehicles................| 125.2   124.8   125.1     -.1     .2       .2    -1.4      .6
15-12      |   Sporting and athletic goods 2/......................| 123.5   124.3   125.2     1.7     .7       .5     0        .7  
15-2       |   Tobacco products 2/.................................| 238.8   239.2   245.1     5.1    2.5       .1     -.2     2.5  
15-5       |   Mobile homes 2/.....................................| 150.8   150.8   151.0     1.5     .1      -.1     -.1      .1  
15-94-02   |   Jewelry, platinum, & karat gold 2/..................| 129.6   127.7   128.3    -1.0     .5      -.5     -.6      .5  
15-94-04   |   Costume jewelry and novelties 2/....................| 138.7   138.3   138.6     2.7     .2       .1     -.2      .2  
           |                                                       |
           | CAPITAL EQUIPMENT.....................................| 138.7   138.8   139.2      .7     .3      0       -.1      .3
           |                                                       |
11-1       |   Agricultural machinery and equipment 2/.............| 147.7   147.1   147.4      .3     .2       .4      .1      .2  
11-2       |   Construction machinery and equipment................| 140.5   142.1   142.2     2.0     .1       .4      .1      .1
11-37      |   Metal cutting machine tools 2/......................| 154.1   154.4   154.5     2.2     .1      -.3      .1      .1  
11-38      |   Metal forming machine tools 2/......................| 150.9   152.9   152.5     2.8    -.3      0       1.3     -.3  
11-39      |   Tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, and ind. molds 2/......| 137.2   137.3   137.8     1.6     .4      0       0        .4  
11-41      |   Pumps, compressors, and equipment...................| 144.2   145.2   145.6     1.7     .3      -.3      .4      .1
11-44      |   Industrial material handling equipment 2/...........| 128.2   128.7   128.8     1.5     .1       .3      .1      .1  
11-51      |   Electronic computers (Dec. 1990=100) 2/.............|  39.1    36.3    36.2   -19.7    -.3      -.3    -5.2     -.3  
11-62      |   Textile machinery 2/................................| 149.5   151.1   151.6     2.4     .3      1.1     0        .3  
11-64      |   Paper industries machinery (June 1982=100)..........| 154.6   157.0   156.7     2.1    -.2      -.2     1.0     -.3
11-65      |   Printing trades machinery 2/........................| 138.0   139.3   139.8     2.8     .4       .1      .6      .4  
11-74      |   Transformers and power regulators 2/................| 129.1   129.3   128.4    -1.7    -.7       .2      .1     -.7  
11-76      |   Communication & related equip. (Dec. 1985=100) 2/...| 113.0   114.0   113.6      .5    -.4       .7      .1     -.4  
11-79-05   |   X-ray and electromedical equipment 2/...............| 108.1   107.6   107.5    -3.3    -.1      -.1     -.7     -.1  
11-91      |   Oil field and gas field machinery 2/................| 118.8   121.0   121.7     4.0     .6      1.3     0        .6  
11-92      |   Mining machinery and equipment 2/...................| 138.7   138.4   138.4     -.2    0        -.2      .1     0    
11-93      |   Office and store machines and equipment 2/..........| 111.7   111.8   112.4      .4     .5      0        .1      .5  
12-2       |   Commercial furniture 2/.............................| 153.2   153.0   152.7     1.2    -.2       .3     -.2     -.2  
14-11-05   |   Light motor trucks..................................| 162.7   162.2   161.8      .7    -.2       .4     -.3     0
14-11-06   |   Heavy motor trucks..................................| 139.5   141.7   141.6    -3.9    -.1     -1.8      .1     -.5
14-14      |   Truck trailers 2/...................................| 130.2   130.1   130.5    -1.1     .3      -.1     0        .3  
14-21-02   |   Civilian aircraft (Dec. 1985=100)...................| 149.4   149.3   152.3     4.6    2.0      -.3     0       2.1
14-31      |   Ships (Dec. 1985=100) 2/............................| 140.7   142.7   142.6     5.4    -.1      2.0     0       -.1  
14-4       |   Railroad equipment..................................| 136.5   136.4   133.6    -2.9   -2.1      -.1     -.5    -2.1
           |                                                       |
           |INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, AND COMPONENTS.......| 125.7   126.2   125.6      .6    -.5       .2     -.1     -.6
           |                                                       |
           | INTERMEDIATE FOODS AND FEEDS..........................| 126.2   125.5   127.3     3.2    1.4      -.8     -.8     1.4
           |                                                       |
02-12-03   |   Flour 2/............................................| 124.7   122.7   119.4   -14.3   -2.7     -2.1     1.3    -2.7  
02-53      |   Refined sugar 2/....................................| 124.2   125.0   126.8     4.0    1.4       .9    -1.0     1.4  
02-54      |   Confectionery materials.............................| 110.8   107.1   108.2     1.9    1.0      -.1    -2.5      .8
02-72      |   Crude vegetable oils 2/.............................| 110.3   112.6   119.4     4.0    6.0      4.1    -2.1     6.0  
02-9       |   Prepared animal feeds 2/............................| 131.7   131.6   136.3     3.7    3.6      -.7     0       3.6  
           |                                                       |
           | INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS LESS FOODS AND FEEDS...........| 125.7   126.3   125.5      .4    -.6       .2     -.1     -.6
           |                                                       |
03-1       |   Synthetic fibers 2/.................................| 111.7   113.5   110.9     -.3   -2.3      1.3      .2    -2.3  
03-2       |   Processed yarns and threads 2/......................| 114.8   114.9   114.7      .5    -.2       .1     0       -.2  
03-3       |   Gray fabrics 2/.....................................| 121.2   121.7   121.8     -.1     .1      -.2      .2      .1  
03-4       |   Finished fabrics....................................| 123.9   123.8   123.5      .3    -.2      -.3     0       -.1
03-83-03   |   Industrial textile products 2/......................| 127.1   126.5   128.2     5.5    1.3      -.7     -.8     1.3  
04-2       |   Leather.............................................| 179.4   185.3   186.0     2.6     .4      1.3     1.3      .1
05-32      |   Liquefied petroleum gas 2/..........................| 102.5   109.9    87.2    12.7  -20.7      5.6    -7.3   -20.7  
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
See footnotes at end of table.Table 2.  Producer Price Indexes and percent changes for selected commodity groupings by stage of processing - Continued
(1982=100 unless otherwise indicated)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
           |                                                       |                       |Unadjusted     |
           |                                                       |                       | percent       |Seasonally adjusted
           |                                                       |   Unadjusted index    |change to      |percent change from:
 Commodity |                                                       |                       |Mar. 1997 from:|
   code    |                      Grouping                         |_______________________|_______________|________________________
           |                                                       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
           |                                                       |Nov.   |Feb.   |Mar.   | Mar.  | Feb.  |Dec. to|Jan. to|Feb. to
           |                                                       |1996 1/|1997 1/|1997 1/| 1996  | 1997  |  Jan. |  Feb. |  Mar.  
___________|_______________________________________________________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|________
           |                                                       |
           | INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS LESS FOODS AND FEEDS           |
           |   -Continued..........................................|
05-42      |   Commercial electric power...........................| 126.8   127.6   127.4     0.5   -0.2      0.4     0.1    -0.2
05-43      |   Industrial electric power...........................| 127.1   127.9   128.1      .2     .2       .4      .1      .1
05-52      |   Commercial natural gas (Dec. 1990=100)..............| 108.3   119.1   110.5     6.0   -7.2      6.0    -2.5    -6.8
05-53      |   Industrial natural gas (Dec. 1990=100)..............| 103.5   122.2   105.8     8.0  -13.4     17.5    -6.4   -13.0
05-54      |   Natural gas to electric utilities (Dec. 1990=100)...|  89.2   114.8    96.2    -1.9  -16.2     13.8      .8   -16.5
05-72-03   |   Jet fuels...........................................|  72.6    74.3    66.1    12.2  -11.0      3.2     2.7    -8.7
05-73-03   |   No. 2 Diesel fuel...................................|  77.0    72.4    65.9     5.3   -9.0     -2.0     1.6   -10.7
05-74      |   Residual fuel 2/....................................|  61.7    67.6    53.8    -5.3  -20.4      6.6     2.3   -20.4  
06-1       |   Industrial chemicals 2/.............................| 127.1   128.6   127.8     2.2    -.6      -.5      .5     -.6  
06-21      |   Prepared paint......................................| 149.7   150.9   151.8     4.1     .6      -.3      .4      .3
06-22      |   Paint materials 2/..................................| 139.8   140.6   140.5    -1.5    -.1       .5      .1     -.1  
06-31      |   Medicinal and botanical chemicals 2/................| 128.8   129.2   129.2     1.0    0         .5     -.2     0    
06-4       |   Fats and oils, inedible 2/..........................| 125.3   146.9   132.7    14.6   -9.7      9.4    -2.5    -9.7  
06-51      |   Mixed fertilizers...................................| 113.6   113.3   113.4    -1.5     .1     -1.7     0       -.2
06-52-01   |   Nitrogenates........................................| 131.3   136.4   136.4     -.7    0       -2.2     -.2    -1.5
06-52-02   |   Phosphates 2/.......................................| 112.4   111.7   112.2   -10.2     .4      1.4    -1.0      .4  
06-53      |   Other agricultural chemicals........................| 146.7   142.3   143.4    -2.2     .8      -.6    -2.7      .9
06-6       |   Plastic resins and materials 2/.....................| 138.0   138.3   138.8     8.1     .4      -.7      .8      .4  
07-11-02   |   Synthetic rubber 2/.................................| 120.8   121.6   120.8    -1.9    -.7      -.1     -.4     -.7  
07-21      |   Plastic construction products 2/....................| 131.4   128.9   128.2    -1.2    -.5     -1.5     1.3     -.5  
07-22      |   Unsupported plastic film, sheet, & other shapes.....| 133.1   132.1   131.4    -1.6    -.5      -.3     -.3     -.5
07-26      |   Plastic parts and components for manufacturing 2/...| 117.4   117.4   117.5     -.2     .1      0       0        .1  
08-11      |   Softwood lumber 2/..................................| 204.4   207.5   210.3    20.4    1.3       .7     1.6     1.3  
08-12      |   Hardwood lumber 2/..................................| 164.9   168.9   170.6     3.8    1.0      1.5      .3     1.0  
08-2       |   Millwork 2/.........................................| 169.3   170.2   170.4     3.8     .1       .4      .2      .1  
08-3       |   Plywood 2/..........................................| 157.9   159.1   164.0     7.8    3.1      -.7     2.9     3.1  
09-11      |   Woodpulp 2/.........................................| 127.6   127.0   125.6   -11.2   -1.1      1.2    -1.3    -1.1  
09-13      |   Paper 2/............................................| 141.7   140.0   139.9   -11.2    -.1      -.2     -.6     -.1  
09-14      |   Paperboard .........................................| 146.9   144.3   139.9   -16.0   -3.0       .1    -2.8    -2.7  
09-15-03   |   Paper boxes and containers 2/.......................| 147.3   147.2   145.5    -9.7   -1.2       .1     -.5    -1.2  
09-2       |   Building paper and board 2/.........................| 136.2   130.8   131.2    -3.7     .3     -1.2     -.9      .3  
09-37      |   Commercial printing (June 1982=100) 2/..............| 148.1   148.0   147.9     0      -.1      0        .1     -.1  
10-15      |   Foundry and forge shop products.....................| 133.0   133.8   134.4     1.4     .4       .1      .1      .4
10-17      |   Steel mill products 2/..............................| 115.7   116.0   116.0     1.1    0        -.3      .3     0    
10-22      |   Primary nonferrous metals 2/........................| 115.9   126.3   131.2     -.9    3.9      2.6     1.4     3.9  
10-25-01   |   Aluminum mill shapes 2/.............................| 139.0   144.9   146.5    -1.2    1.1      1.4     1.7     1.1  
10-25-02   |   Copper and brass mill shapes 2/.....................| 175.2   177.9   184.7     -.9    3.8      1.2     -.4     3.8  
10-26      |   Nonferrous wire and cable 2/........................| 145.6   148.4   149.9     1.1    1.0       .5      .3     1.0  
10-3       |   Metal containers 2/.................................| 108.4   108.1   108.3    -2.0     .2     -1.1      .2      .2  
10-4       |   Hardware............................................| 144.1   144.6   144.7      .8     .1       .1     -.1     -.1
10-5       |   Plumbing fixtures and brass fittings................| 171.8   174.7   174.6     2.2    -.1      -.2     1.0     -.6
10-6       |   Heating equipment...................................| 151.8   152.0   151.9      .9    -.1      -.7     -.3     -.1
10-7       |   Fabricated structural metal products................| 138.6   139.2   139.3     1.6     .1       .1      .2     0
10-88      |   Fabricated ferrous wire products (June 1982=100) 2/.| 126.6   127.0   127.0      .5    0        0        .1     0    
10-89      |   Other misc. metal products 2/.......................| 125.9   126.4   126.2      .6    -.2       .1      .2     -.2  
11-45      |   Mechanical power transmission equipment.............| 152.4   154.4   154.6     2.5     .1      0        .6      .1
11-48      |   Air conditioning and refrigeration equipment........| 133.0   132.2   132.6     -.2     .3      -.6     -.6      .2
11-49-02   |   Metal valves, ex.fluid power (Dec. 1982=100) 2/.....| 150.8   151.9   152.5     2.1     .4       .1      .3      .4  
11-49-05   |   Ball and roller bearings............................| 158.7   160.5   162.5     3.4    1.2       .4     -.4     1.6
11-71      |   Wiring devices......................................| 151.7   152.6   152.9     1.7     .2       .3     -.3      .1
11-73      |   Motors, generators, motor generator sets............| 144.4   144.5   144.2    -1.4    -.2     -1.3     0       -.1
11-75      |   Switchgear, switchboard, etc., equipment............| 144.8   145.0   144.5     1.5    -.3      -.1      .2     -.3
11-78      |   Electronic components and accessories 2/............| 107.3   106.1   105.7    -4.6    -.4      -.3     -.8     -.4  
11-94      |   Internal combustion engines.........................| 139.7   139.7   139.7     1.2    0        -.4     -.2      .4
11-95      |   Machine shop products 2/............................| 134.6   134.9   134.6     1.1    -.2       .2     0       -.2  
13-11      |   Flat glass 2/.......................................| 109.6   108.8   108.5    -2.1    -.3      -.5     -.4     -.3  
13-22      |   Cement..............................................| 136.4   136.7   136.6     5.0    -.1       .9      .4     -.2
13-3       |   Concrete products...................................| 134.5   135.1   135.4     2.3     .2      -.1      .1      .1
13-6       |   Asphalt felts and coatings 2/.......................| 100.4    99.9    99.4     -.9    -.5      0        .2     -.5  
13-7       |   Gypsum products 2/..................................| 165.0   167.5   168.4    15.0     .5      2.7     -.6      .5  
13-8       |   Glass containers 2/.................................| 127.4   125.9   125.9    -2.6    0       -1.1    -1.6     0    
14-12      |   Motor vehicle parts 2/..............................| 116.2   115.2   115.3     -.9     .1      -.3     -.2      .1  
14-23      |   Aircraft engines & engine parts (Dec. 1985=100).....| 135.0   137.4   137.3     1.3    -.1       .1      .9      .1
14-25      |   Aircraft parts & aux.equip.,nec (June 1985=100) 2/..| 139.3   140.5   140.4      .6    -.1      2.0     -.4     -.1  
15-42      |   Photographic supplies 2/............................| 129.7   129.3   129.3     -.4    0        -.3     0       0    
15-6       |   Medical/surgical/personal aid devices...............| 142.7   143.8   144.0      .3     .1       .3     -.2      .1
           |                                                       |
           | CRUDE MATERIALS FOR FURTHER PROCESSING................| 114.8   118.1   110.3      .3   -6.6      5.2    -5.9    -6.9
           |                                                       |
           |  CRUDE FOODSTUFFS AND FEEDSTUFFS......................| 117.7   110.7   114.0    -1.9    3.0     -1.0    -1.9     2.1
           |                                                       |
01-21      |   Wheat 2/............................................| 117.3   112.4   113.2   -19.9     .7       .6    -2.0      .7  
01-22-02-05|   Corn................................................| 108.2   108.4   120.3   -23.1   11.0      -.1      .9     9.9
01-31      |   Slaughter cattle....................................| 102.8    94.0   100.5     9.7    6.9     -1.4    -2.3     6.9
01-32      |   Slaughter hogs......................................|  90.5    87.4    79.8    -1.0   -8.7       .5   -10.3   -10.2
01-41-02   |   Slaughter broilers/fryers...........................| 158.6   140.1   123.4     0    -11.9     -4.7    -2.9   -15.7
01-42      |   Slaughter turkeys...................................| 132.7    99.8    99.4   -12.9    -.4     -5.2      .7    -1.7
01-6       |   Fluid milk..........................................| 109.1    96.3    98.6    -1.3    2.4     -2.5    -1.1     3.9
01-83-01-31|   Soybeans............................................| 117.6   127.1   144.8    18.2   13.9      6.5     3.7    11.7
02-52-01-01|   Cane sugar,raw 2/...................................| 118.1   115.2   116.4    -1.4    1.0      -.3    -2.0     1.0  
 
           |                                                       |
           |  CRUDE NONFOOD MATERIALS..............................| 108.7   118.6   103.9     1.9  -12.4      9.3    -8.3   -12.5
           |                                                       |
01-51-01-01|   Raw cotton..........................................| 113.3   116.7   122.5    -7.9    5.0     -6.6    -1.3      .3
01-92-01-01|   Leaf tobacco 2/.....................................| 112.9   121.7   111.7     8.9   -8.2      2.6     4.8    -8.2  
04-11      |   Cattle hides 2/.....................................| 204.4   207.7   211.8    19.6    2.0      1.0      .3     2.0  
05-1       |   Coal 2/.............................................|  94.6    93.4    96.4      .7    3.2      3.0    -3.7     3.2  
05-31      |   Natural gas 2/......................................| 100.6   131.0    92.8     8.2  -29.2     21.6   -14.7   -29.2  
05-61      |   Crude petroleum 2/..................................|  68.5    65.0    56.3    -2.4  -13.4      4.1   -12.2   -13.4  
08-5       |   Logs, timber, etc. 2/...............................| 209.8   215.2   215.2     2.8    0        2.1      .7     0    
09-12      |   Wastepaper 2/.......................................| 147.8   153.8   166.7    17.4    8.4      4.7      .9     8.4  
10-11      |   Iron ore 2/.........................................|  96.7    99.7    99.7     2.2    0        3.1     0       0    
10-12      |   Iron and steel scrap 2/.............................| 172.4   190.3   186.2    -5.9   -2.2      6.4     5.2    -2.2  
10-21      |   Nonferrous metal ores (Dec. 1983=100) 2/............|  85.3    84.1    88.0    -8.2    4.6     -1.1     0       4.6  
10-23-01   |   Copper base scrap 2/................................| 154.5   164.7   169.2    -5.9    2.7      7.5    -3.0     2.7  
10-23-02   |   Aluminum base scrap.................................| 166.7   195.7   199.8    11.4    2.1      7.8      .4     3.6
13-21      |   Construction sand, gravel, and crushed stone........| 146.3   147.0   147.7     1.9     .5      -.2     0        .4
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
1/  The indexes for November 1996 have been recalculated                             2/  Not seasonally adjusted.                  
    to incorporate late reports and corrections by respondents.                      3/  Not available.                             
    All indexes are subject to revision four months after original
    publication.
 
 
 
 
 
Table 3.  Producer Price Indexes for selected commodity groupings
(1982=100 unless otherwise indicated)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
         |                                                |                                   |
         |                                                |         Unadjusted index 1/       | 
Commodity|                                                |___________________________________|
  code   |                    Grouping                    | Nov. 1996 | Feb. 1997 |March 1997 |
_________|________________________________________________|___________|___________|___________|
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         | Finished Goods (1967=100)......................|   372.1   |   371.0   |   371.0   |
         | All commodities................................|   128.2   |   128.7   |   127.7   |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         |            MAJOR COMMODITY GROUPS              |           |           |           |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         | Farm products and processed foods and feeds....|   129.1   |   126.3   |   128.4   |
01       |   Farm products................................|   117.9   |   112.6   |   116.0   |
02       |   Processed foods and feeds....................|   134.7   |   133.0   |   134.6   |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         | Industrial commodities.........................|   128.0   |   129.2   |   127.5   |
03       |   Textile products and apparel.................|   122.7   |   122.8   |   122.6   |
04       |   Hides, skins, leather, and related products..|   153.6   |   156.2   |   157.1   |
05       |   Fuels and related products and power 2/......|    88.5   |    91.6   |    84.6   |
06       |   Chemicals and allied products 2/.............|   142.8   |   143.9   |   144.0   | 
07       |   Rubber and plastic products..................|   123.7   |   123.4   |   123.3   |
08       |   Lumber and wood products.....................|   180.2   |   182.8   |   184.2   |
09       |   Pulp, paper, and allied products.............|   166.9   |   166.8   |   166.6   |
10       |   Metals and metal products....................|   129.4   |   131.5   |   132.2   |
11       |   Machinery and equipment......................|   126.2   |   126.2   |   126.2   |
12       |   Furniture and household durables.............|   130.9   |   130.9   |   130.9   |
13       |   Nonmetallic mineral products.................|   132.0   |   132.5   |   132.7   |
14       |   Transportation equipment.....................|   142.7   |   142.6   |   142.9   |
15       |   Miscellaneous products.......................|   148.4   |   149.0   |   150.1   |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         | Industrial commodities less fuels and related  |           |           |           |
         |   products and power...........................|   138.6   |   139.2   |   139.4   |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         |             OTHER COMMODITY GROUPINGS          |           |           |           |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
01-1     | Fruits and melons, fresh and dry vegetables,   |           |           |           |
         |   and tree nuts................................|   123.8   |   121.2   |   125.6   |
01-2     | Grains.........................................|   112.2   |   111.0   |   119.3   |
01-3     | Slaughter livestock............................|   100.7   |    93.8   |    96.3   |
01-4     | Slaughter poultry..............................|   151.3   |   130.2   |   117.4   |
01-5     | Plant and animal fibers........................|   113.1   |   116.5   |   122.5   |
01-7     | Chicken eggs...................................|   143.9   |   129.4   |   119.7   |
01-8     | Hay, hayseeds, and oilseeds....................|   140.1   |   149.6   |   164.2   |
01-83    | Oilseeds.......................................|   127.6   |   137.0   |   154.3   |
01-9     | Other farm products............................|   168.3   |   181.5   |   166.6   |
02-1     | Cereal and bakery products.....................|   158.7   |   158.4   |   158.0   |
02-2     | Meats, poultry, and fish.......................|   121.7   |   116.7   |   119.7   |
02-22    | Processed poultry..............................|   123.5   |   117.3   |   117.6   |
02-5     | Sugar and confectionery........................|   138.6   |   137.9   |   138.7   |
02-6     | Beverages and beverage materials...............|   134.5   |   135.2   |   137.5   |
02-63    | Packaged beverage materials....................|   126.5   |   126.8   |   140.5   |
02-7     | Fats and oils..................................|   125.9   |   128.6   |   131.5   |
03-81    | Apparel........................................|   125.3   |   125.4   |   125.6   |
04-4     | Other leather and related products.............|   141.3   |   142.6   |   143.4   |
05-3     | Gas fuels 2/...................................|    99.8   |   123.8   |    90.1   |
05-4     | Electric power.................................|   127.8   |   128.3   |   128.3   |
05-7     | Refined petroleum products.....................|    74.6   |    73.0   |    69.0   |
06-3     | Drugs and pharmaceuticals......................|   214.8   |   217.5   |   218.6   |
06-5     | Agricultural chemicals and products............|   132.7   |   131.9   |   132.5   |
06-7     | Other chemicals and allied products............|   132.3   |   132.6   |   132.8   |
07-1     | Rubber and rubber products.....................|   115.9   |   116.2   |   116.2   |
07-11    | Rubber, except natural rubber..................|   120.1   |   120.9   |   120.1   |
07-13    | Miscellaneous rubber products..................|   136.8   |   137.3   |   137.5   |
07-2     | Plastic products...............................|   130.7   |   130.0   |   129.9   |
08-1     | Lumber.........................................|   190.3   |   193.7   |   196.2   |
09-1     | Pulp, paper, and products, excluding building  |           |           |           |
         |   paper and board..............................|   145.0   |   144.0   |   143.2   |
09-15    | Converted paper and paperboard products........|   150.2   |   149.5   |   148.4   |
10-1     | Iron and steel.................................|   124.3   |   126.4   |   126.1   |
10-2     | Nonferrous metals..............................|   131.4   |   136.8   |   139.8   |
10-25    | Nonferrous mill shapes.........................|   139.0   |   143.5   |   145.7   |
11-3     | Metalworking machinery and equipment...........|   144.0   |   144.5   |   144.8   |
11-4     | General purpose machinery and equipment........|   143.3   |   143.9   |   144.5   |
11-6     | Special industry machinery.....................|   154.4   |   155.6   |   156.0   |
11-7     | Electrical machinery and equipment.............|   122.9   |   123.0   |   122.6   |
11-9     | Miscellaneous machinery and equipment..........|   129.9   |   130.2   |   130.4   |
12-6     | Other household durable goods..................|   148.5   |   149.2   |   149.4   |
13-2     | Concrete ingredients...........................|   140.2   |   140.7   |   141.1   |
14-1     | Motor vehicles and equipment...................|   134.9   |   134.4   |   134.3   |
15-1     | Toys, sporting goods, small arms, etc..........|   130.6   |   131.1   |   131.7   |
15-4     | Photographic equipment and supplies............|   119.6   |   118.6   |   118.6   |
15-9     | Other miscellaneous products...................|   132.8   |   132.9   |   133.3   |
__________________________________________________________|___________|___________|___________|
 
1/  Data for  Nov. 1996 have been revised to reflect the
    availability of late reports and corrections by
    respondents.  All data are subject to revision 4
    months after original publication.
 
2/  Prices of some items in this grouping are lagged 1 month.
 
Table #4       Producer price indexes for the net output of major industry groups, not seasonally adjusted
 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
                   |                                              |     |         Index         |  Percent change
   Industry        |                Industry 1/                   |Index|_______________________|to_Mar._1997_from:__
     code          |                                              |base |       |       |       |        |
                   |                                              |     |Nov.   |Feb.   |Mar.   |  Mar.  |  Feb.
                   |                                              |     |1996 2/|1997 2/|1997 2/|  1996  |  1997
 __________________|______________________________________________|_____|_______|_______|_______|________|___________
                   |                                              |     |
                   |Total mining industries...................... |12/84|  90.4    99.1    83.3     3.0   -15.9
        10         | Metal mining................................ |12/84|  88.4    87.9    91.1    -5.8     3.6
        12         | Coal mining................................. |12/85|  91.3    90.7    92.5      .3     2.0
        13         | Oil and gas extraction...................... |12/85|  93.4   105.3    83.3     5.2   -20.9
        14         | Mining and quarrying of non-metallic         |     |
                   |  minerals, except fuels..................... |12/84| 127.3   127.6   128.0     1.0      .3
                   |                                              |     |
                   |Total manufacturing industries............... |12/84| 128.0   127.9   127.8     1.4     -.1
        20         | Food and kindred products................... |12/84| 128.5   127.1   128.2     3.1      .9
        21         | Tobacco manufactures........................ |12/84| 201.1   201.1   206.6     5.9     2.7
        22         | Textile mill products....................... |12/84| 118.6   119.1   118.9     1.0     -.2
        23         | Apparel and other finished products made     |     |
                   |  from fabrics and similar materials......... |12/84| 122.9   122.9   123.3     1.4      .3
        24         | Lumber and wood products, except furniture.. |12/84| 156.2   157.7   159.0     5.4      .8
        25         | Furniture and fixtures...................... |12/84| 137.3   137.5   137.5     1.4     0
        26         | Paper and allied products................... |12/84| 134.6   133.5   132.4    -7.4     -.8
        27         | Printing, publishing, and allied industries. |12/84| 166.7   167.7   168.1     2.0      .2
        28         | Chemicals and allied products............... |12/84| 146.3   147.2   147.2     1.5     0
        29         | Petroleum refining and related products..... |12/84|  92.5    91.4    86.6     5.9    -5.3
        30         | Rubber and miscellaneous plastic products... |12/84| 123.3   122.9   122.9      .1     0
        31         | Leather and leather products................ |12/84| 135.2   137.6   137.9     2.3      .2
        32         | Stone, clay, glass, and concrete products... |12/84| 126.6   126.9   127.1     1.4      .2
        33         | Primary metal industries.................... |12/84| 122.6   123.9   124.9      .6      .8
        34         | Fabricated metal products, except machinery  |     |
                   |  and transportation equipment............... |12/84| 126.5   127.0   127.1     1.0      .1
        35         | Machinery, except electrical................ |12/84| 118.9   118.9   119.0     -.6      .1
        36         | Electrical and electronic machinery,         |     |
                   |  equipment, and supplies.................... |12/84| 112.8   112.2   111.9    -1.4     -.3
        37         | Transportation equipment.................... |12/84| 135.2   135.3   135.6     1.0      .2
        38         | Measuring and controlling instruments;       |     |
                   |  photographic, medical, optical goods;       |     |
                   |  watches, clocks............................ |12/84| 124.7   125.5   125.4      .2     -.1
        39         | Miscellaneous manufacturing industries...... |12/85| 128.3   128.6   129.0     1.3      .3
                   |                                              |     |
                   |Services industries                           |     |
        40         | Railroad transportation..................... |12/96|  (3)     98.7    99.9     (3)     1.2
        42         | Motor freight transportation and warehousing |06/93| 107.1   108.4   107.9     2.0     -.5
        43         | United states postal service................ |06/89| 132.3   132.3   132.3     0       0
        44         | Water transportation........................ |12/92| 104.5   104.3   104.4      .2      .1
        45         | Transportation by air....................... |12/92| 123.5   128.2   124.9     4.2    -2.6
        46         | Pipe lines, except natural gas.............. |12/86| 100.9    98.8    98.8   -10.7     0
        80         | Health services............................. |12/94| 105.2   106.0   106.0     1.7     0
        81         | Legal services.............................. |12/96|  (3)    101.9   101.8     (3)     -.1
 ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 1/ Indexes in this table are derived from the net-output-weighted industry price indexes.
    Because of differences in coverage and aggregation methodology, they will generally not match the movements
    of similarly-titled indexes which are derived from traditional commodity groupings.
 2/ The indexes for Nov. 1996 have been recalculated to incorporate late reports and corrections by respondents.
    All indexes are subject to revision four months after original publication.
 3/ Not available.
Technical Notes





Brief Explanation of
Producer Price Indexes

     Producer price indexes (PPI) measure average changes in
prices received by domestic producers of commodities in all
stages of processing. Most of the information used in
calculating the indexes is obtained through the systematic
sampling of nearly every industry in the manufacturing and
mining sectors of the economy. The PPI program also includes
some information from other sectors--agriculture, fishing,
forestry, services, and gas and electricity. Because
producer price indexes are designed to measure only the
change in prices received for the output of domestic
industries, imports are not included. The sample currently
contains about 3,200 commodities and 80,000 quotations per
month.
     There are three primary systems of indexes within the
PPI program: (1) Stage of processing indexes; (2) commodity
indexes; and (3) indexes for the net output of industries
and their products. The stage-of-processing structure
(tables 1 and 2) organizes products by class of buyer and
degree of processing. The commodity structure (tables 2 and
3) organizes products by similarity of end-use or material
composition. The entire output of various industries is
sampled to derive price indexes for the net output of
industries and their products (table 4).
     Within the stage-of-processing system, finished goods
are commodities that will not undergo further processing and
are ready for sale to the final demand user, either an
individual consumer or business firm. Consumer foods include
unprocessed foods such as eggs and fresh vegetables, as well
as processed foods such as bakery products and meats. Other
finished consumer goods include durable goods such as
automobiles, household furniture, and appliances, and
nondurable goods such as apparel and home heating oil.
Capital equipment includes producer durable goods such as
heavy motor trucks, tractors, and machine tools.
     The stage-of-processing category for intermediate
materials, supplies, and components consists partly of
commodities that have been processed but require further
processing. Examples of such semifinished goods include
flour, cotton yarn, steel mill products, and lumber. The
intermediate goods category also encompasses nondurable,
physically complete items purchased by business firms as
inputs for their operations. Examples include diesel fuel,
belts and belting, paper boxes, and fertilizers.
     Crude materials for further processing are products
entering the market for the first time that have not been
manufactured or fabricated and that are not sold directly to
consumers. Crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs include items
such as grains and livestock. Examples of crude nonfood
materials include raw cotton, crude petroleum, coal, hides
and skins, and iron and steel scrap.
     Producer price indexes for the net output of industries
and their products are grouped according to the Standard
Industrial Classification (SIC) and the Census product code
extension of the SIC. Industry price indexes are compatible
with other economic time series organized by SIC codes, such
as data on employment, wages, and productivity. Table 4
lists indexes for the net output of major mining and
manufacturing industry groups at the 2-digit level.
     Producer price indexes are based on selling prices
reported by establishments of all sizes selected by
probability sampling, with the probability of selection
proportionate to size. Individual items and transaction
terms from these firms are also chosen by probability
proportionate to size. BLS strongly encourages cooperating
companies to supply actual transaction prices at the time of
shipment to minimize the use of list prices. Prices are
normally reported by mail questionnaire for the Tuesday of
the week containing the 13th.
     Price data are provided on a voluntary and confidential
basis; no one but sworn BLS employees are allowed access to
individual company price reports. All producer price indexes
are routinely subject to revision once, 4 months after
original publication, to reflect the availability of late
reports and corrections by respondents.
     Net output values of shipments are used as weights for
industry indexes. Net output values refer to the value of
shipments from establishments in one industry to
establishments classified in another industry. However,
weights for commodity price indexes are based on gross
shipment values, including shipment values between
establishments within the same industry. As a result, broad
commodity grouping indexes such as the all commodities index
are affected by the multiple counting of price change at
successive stages of processing, which can lead to
exaggerated or misleading signals about inflation. Stage-of-
processing indexes partially correct this defect, but
industry indexes consistently correct for this at all levels
of aggregation. Therefore, industry and stage-of-processing
indexes are more appropriate than broad commodity groupings
for economic analysis of general price trends.
     Weights for most traditional commodity groupings of the
PPI, as well as all indexes (such as stage-of-processing
indexes) calculated from traditional commodity groupings,
currently reflect 1987 values of shipments as reported in
the Census of Manufactures and other sources. From January
1987 through December 1991, PPI weights were derived from
1982 shipment values. Industry indexes shown in table 4 are
also now calculated with 1987 net output weights.
     Effective with publication of January 1988 data, many
important PPI series (including stage-of-processing
groupings and most commodity groups and individual items)
were placed on a new reference base, 1982=100, to coincide
with the reference year of the shipment weights. From 1971
through 1987, the standard reference base for most PPI
series was 1967=100. Except for rounding differences, the
shift to the new reference base did not alter any changes to
previously published percent changes for affected PPI
series. (See "Calculating Index Changes," below.) The new
reference base is not used for indexes with a base later
than December 1981, nor for indexes for the net output of
industries and their products.
     For further information on the underlying concepts and
methodology of the Producer Price Index, see chapter 16,
"Producer Prices," in BLS Handbook of Methods (September
1992), Bulletin 2414. Reprints are available from the Bureau
of Labor Statistics on request.

Calculating Index Changes

     Movements of price indexes from one month to another
are usually expressed as percent changes rather than as
changes in index points because index point chances are
affected by the level of the index in relation to its base
period, while percent changes are not. The box shows the
computation of index point and percent changes.
     Percent changes for 3-month and 6-month periods can be
expressed as annual rates that are computed according to the
standard formula for compound growth rates. These data
indicate what the percent change would be if the rate for a
given 3- or 6-month span were maintained for a 12-month
period.





                Index Point Change

     Finished Goods Price Index    107.5
     Less previous index           104.0
     Equals index point change       3.5

          Index Percent Change

     Index point change              3.5
     Divided by the previous index 104.0
     Equals                          0.034
     Result multiplied by 100        0.034 x 100
     Equals percent change           3.4

     Each index measures price changes from a reference
period which equals 100.0 (1982 or some later month). An
increase of 5.5 percent from the reference period in the
Finished Goods Price Index, for example, is shown as 105.5.
This change can also be expressed in dollars as follows:
"Prices received by domestic producers of a systematic
sample of finished goods have risen from $100 in 1982 to
$105.50 to-day." Likewise, a current index of 90.0 would
indicate that prices received by producers of finished goods
today are 10 percent lower than they were in 1982.

Seasonally Adjusted
and Unadjusted Data

     Because price data are used for different purposes by
different groups, the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes
seasonally adjusted as well as unadjusted changes each
month.
     Seasonally adjusted data are preferred for analyzing
general price trends in the economy because they eliminate
the effect of changes that normally occur at about the same
time and in about the same magnitude every year-such as
price movements resulting from normal weather patterns,
regular production and marketing cycles, model changeovers,
seasonal discounts, and holidays. For these reasons,
seasonally adjusted data more clearly reveal underlying
cyclical trends.
     Unadjusted data are of primary interest to users who
need information which can be related to actual dollar
values of transactions. Individuals requiring this
information include marketing specialists, purchasing
agents, budget and cost analysts, contract specialists, and
commodity traders. It is the unadjusted data that are
generally cited in escalating long-term contracts such as
purchasing agreements or real estate leases. (See Escalation
and Producer Price Indexes: A Guide for Contracting Parties,
BLS Report 807, September 1991, available on request from
BLS.)
     For more information, see "Appendix A: Seasonal
Adjustment Methodology at BLS," in the BLS Handbook of
Methods (September 1992), Bulletin 2414.