FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION:
     Patrick C. Jackman (202) 606-7000      USDL-97-283
 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. (EDT)
 MEDIA CONTACT:         (202) 606-5902      Thursday, August 14, 1997
 INTERNET ADDRESS:    http://stats.bls.gov/cpihome.htm
                                     
                     CONSUMER PRICE INDEX:  JULY 1997
 
           The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose
 0.1 percent before seasonal adjustment in July to a level of 160.5 (1982-
 84=100), the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor
 reported today.  For the 12-month period ended in July, the CPI-U
 increased 2.2 percent.
 
      The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers
 (CPI-W) also rose 0.1 percent  in July, prior to seasonal adjustment.  The
 July 1997 CPI-W level of 157.5 was 2.1 percent higher than the index in
 July 1996.
 
 CPI for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U)
 
     On a seasonally adjusted basis, the CPI-U rose 0.2 percent in July,
 following increases of 0.1 percent in each of the preceding four months.
 The food index increased 0.3 percent in July.  Grocery store food prices,
 which increased 0.2 percent in June, advanced 0.3 percent in July,
 reflecting larger increases in the indexes for meats, poultry, fish, and
 eggs and for fruits and vegetables.  The energy index continued to exert a
 moderating effect on the CPI-U, declining 0.1 percent in July.  The index
 for petroleum-based energy fell 0.4 percent, while the index for energy
 services rose 0.2 percent.  Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U rose 0.2
 percent, following an increase of 0.1 percent in June.  The larger advance
 in July reflects upturns in the indexes for transportation (other than for
 motor fuel) and for apparel and upkeep.

 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
                     Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr.  May June July   July `97  July `97
 All Items            .1    .3   .1   .1   .1   .1   .2    1.5       2.2
  Food and beverages -.2    .3   .0  -.2   .4   .2   .3    3.6       2.5
  Housing             .3    .3   .0   .2   .1   .3   .2    2.3       2.5
  Apparel and upkeep  .4    .2  -.3   .9   .1  -.2   .2     .3       1.5
  Transportation     -.2   -.1   .1  -.4  -.8  -.3   .1   -4.1        .1
  Medical care        .2    .2   .4   .3   .3   .2   .0    2.1       2.7
  Entertainment       .0    .2   .2   .1   .2   .5   .1    3.0       2.3
  Other goods                                                           
   and services       .4    .5   .5   .8   .2   .2   .3    2.7       4.1
 Special Indexes:                                                       
  Energy              .8    .3 -1.7 -1.5 -2.4   .0  -.1   -9.7      -1.0
  Food               -.3    .3   .0  -.2   .4   .2   .3    3.6       2.5
  All items less                                                        
   food and energy    .1    .2   .2   .3   .2   .1   .2    1.9       2.4
 
    
    See page 4 for a note on the future use of a hedonic model to adjust
  personal computer prices in the CPI for changes in quality.
 
 
      For the first seven months of 1997, the CPI-U advanced at a
 1.5 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.  After
 advancing substantially in 1996,  the energy index has declined at a 7.9
 percent SAAR, while food prices have risen at a 1.3 percent annual rate.
 Excluding food and energy, the CPI-U has risen at a 2.4 percent SAAR in
 the first seven months of 1997, following a 2.6 percent increase in all of
 1996.
 
      The food and beverage index rose 0.3 percent in July.  The index for
 grocery store food prices, which rose 0.2 percent in June, advanced 0.3
 percent in July, reflecting larger increases in the indexes for meats,
 poultry, fish, and eggs and for fruits and vegetables.  The index for
 meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 0.5 percent in July after increasing
 0.1 percent in June, as a result of an upturn in egg prices and a larger
 increase in beef prices.   Egg prices advanced 2.9 percent in July,
 following a 3.3 percent decline in June.  The index for beef, which rose
 0.2 percent in June, increased  0.7 percent in July.  The index for fruits
 and vegetables rose 0.5 percent in July as an increase in the index for
 fresh vegetables more than offset declines in the indexes for fresh fruits
 and for processed fruits and vegetables.  The index for dairy products
 decreased 0.6 percent in July, the ninth consecutive month that this
 component failed to increase.  During this period, dairy product prices
 have fallen 4.0 percent after registering increases totaling 8.5 percent
 in the preceding five-month period.  The indexes for cereal and bakery
 products and for other food at home rose 0.1 and 0.6 percent,
 respectively.  In the latter group, coffee prices continued to surge
 upwards--up 3.1  percent in July and 23.5 percent in the last five months.
 The other two components of the food and beverage index--restaurant meals
 and alcoholic beverages-each increased 0.3 percent.
 
      The housing component rose 0.2 percent in July after increasing 0.3
 percent in June.  Shelter costs increased 0.2 percent.  Within shelter,
 renters' costs declined 0.1 percent, while homeowners' costs and
 maintenance and repair costs increased 0.4 and 1.5 percent, respectively.
 The decline in renters' costs reflects a 0.7 percent decrease in the index
 for lodging while out of town; residential rents rose 0.2 percent.  (Prior
 to seasonal adjustment, the index for lodging while out of town rose 2.8
 percent.)  The index for fuel and other utilities, which advanced 0.6
 percent in June, rose 0.2 percent in July.  The index for household fuels
 was unchanged, following a 0.8 percent increase in June.  A 1.1 percent
 increase in the index for natural gas was largely offset by declines in
 the indexes for electricity and for fuel oil--down 0.2 and 2.9 percent,
 respectively. The index for other utilities and public services rose 0.5
 percent in July, reflecting increases of 1.1 percent in the index for
 cable television and 0.9 percent in the index for water and sewerage
 treatment.  The index for household furnishings and operation, which was
 unchanged in June, declined 0.2 percent in July.
 
      The transportation component rose 0.1 percent in July, following
 declines in each of the three preceding months.  The index for gasoline
 declined for the fifth consecutive month, down 0.4 percent in July.
 (Prior to seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices fell 1.8 percent.)   New
 vehicle purchase costs advanced somewhat more in July than in recent
 months; the index for new vehicle prices rose 0.1 percent, and automobile
 finance charges increased 1.6 percent.   (Prior to seasonal adjustment,
 new vehicle prices declined 0.3 percent.)   The index for used cars
 declined 1.1 percent.  Public transportation costs turned up in July.  The
 index for airline fares, which had declined 1.3 and 1.2 percent,
 respectively, in the two preceding months, rose 2.3 percent in July.
 
      The index for apparel and upkeep increased 0.2 percent in July.
 (Prior to seasonal adjustment, apparel commodity prices fell 1.9 percent,
 reflecting  seasonal price declines for spring and summer wear.)
 
      Medical care costs were virtually unchanged in July, and the July
 1997 index was 2.7 percent above its level a year ago.  The index for
 medical care commodities--prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and
 medical supplies--decreased 0.1 percent.  Charges for medical care
 services rose 0.1 percent.  The indexes for professional services and for
 hospital and related services increased 0.1 percent and were virtually
 unchanged, respectively.
 
     Entertainment costs, which increased 0.5 percent in June, rose 0.1
 percent in July.  A substantially smaller increase in the index for
 admissions to movies, theaters, concerts, and sporting events--up 0.2
 percent in July, following a 1.9 percent rise in June--and a decline in
 the index for reading materials were responsible for the moderation.
 
      The index for other goods and services rose 0.3 percent in July.  The
 index for tobacco and smoking products rose 0.4 percent, following
 declines of 0.5 and 0.9 percent, respectively, 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 0.2 percent in July.

 
 Table B.  Percent changes in CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical
 Workers (CPI-W)
                                                 
                                 
                                 Seasonally adjusted 
                                                                     Un-
                       Changes from preceding month     Compound   adjust-
                                                          annual    ed
    Expenditure                                           rate      12-                                                                                                 1997                  3-mos.     ended
     Category                                             ended     mos.
                  Jan.  Feb.  Mar.  Apr.  May  June July  July `97 July`97
                 
 All Items           .1    .2   .1   .0   .0   .1   .2    1.3       2.1
  Food and           
   beverages        -.2    .2   .1  -.2   .4   .2   .3    3.6       2.5
  Housing            .3    .2   .1   .1   .1   .3   .2    2.4       2.5
  Apparel 
   upkeep            .4    .4  -.3  1.0   .2  -.3   .2     .3       1.5
  Transportation     .0    .0  -.1  -.6 -1.0  -.4   .1   -4.9       -.3                                         
  Medical care       .2    .2   .3   .3   .3   .2   .1    2.3       2.6
  Entertainment      .0    .1   .1   .1   .1   .5   .1    2.5       2.2
  Other goods                                                          
   and services      .6    .4   .5  1.0   .1   .0   .3    1.5       4.1

 Special Indexes:                                                      
  Energy             .9    .3 -1.8 -1.9 -2.4   .0  -.2  -10.1      -1.2
  Food              -.3    .3   .1  -.2   .3   .3   .3    3.6       2.5
  All items less                                                       
   food and energy   .2    .2   .2   .3   .2   .1   .2    1.7       2.3
 
 
 
 
     After seasonal adjustment, the level of the CPI-U for All Items  was
 160.6 in July; the seasonally adjusted CPI-W for All Items was 157.5.
 
     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 August are scheduled for release on
 Tuesday, September 16, 1997, at 8:30 A.M. (EDT).
 
      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     June      July       July 1997 from-     Apr. to     May to    June to
                                                 1996       1997      1997    July 1996  June 1997     May        June       July
 
             Expenditure category
 
 All items ..................................   100.000     160.3     160.5        2.2        0.1        0.1        0.1        0.2
 All items (1967=100) .......................      -        480.2     480.7        -          -          -          -          -
 
   Food and beverages .......................    17.484     157.1     157.5        2.5         .3         .4         .2         .3
     Food ...................................    15.913     156.6     157.0        2.5         .3         .4         .2         .3
       Food at home .........................    10.040     157.3     157.7        2.3         .3         .6         .2         .3
         Cereals and bakery products ........     1.479     178.2     178.3        2.0         .1         .3         .4         .1
         Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .....     3.002     147.9     148.2        3.0         .2         .5         .1         .5
         Dairy products 1/ ..................     1.245     144.1     143.3         .9        -.6        -.2        -.9        -.6
+                       _
         Fruits and vegetables 2/ ...........     1.974     183.7     184.6         .3         .5        1.8         .3         .5
+                              _
         Other food at home .................     2.340     147.8     148.6        4.0         .5         .1         .7         .6
           Sugar and sweets .................      .331     148.1     149.2        3.2         .7        -.1         .5         .5
           Fats and oils ....................      .246     141.6     141.4         .6        -.1        -.1        -.3        -.3
           Nonalcoholic beverages ...........      .724     134.8     136.3        6.9        1.1        1.4        1.2        1.6
           Other prepared food ..............     1.039     161.2     161.3        2.9         .1        -.4         .6         .1
       Food away from home ..................     5.873     156.6     157.1        2.8         .3         .1         .2         .3
     Alcoholic beverages ....................     1.571     162.7     162.9        2.8         .1         .3         .1         .3
 
   Housing 2/ ...............................    41.203     156.9     157.5        2.5         .4         .1         .3         .2
+          _
     Shelter ................................    28.194     176.0     177.0        3.0         .6         .3         .2         .2
       Renters' costs 3/ 4/..................     7.994     186.6     188.4        3.0        1.0         .2         .3        -.1
+                     _  _
         Rent, residential ..................     5.731     166.4     166.8        2.8         .2         .4         .2         .2
         Other renters' costs 4/ ............     2.263     226.7     232.6        3.2        2.6        -.3         .5        -.7
+                             _
       Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/...............    20.000     181.1     181.7        2.9         .3         .3         .2         .4
+                        _  _
         Owners' equivalent rent 3/ .........    19.616     181.4     182.1        2.9         .4         .3         .2         .4
+                                _
         Household insurance 3/ 4/ ..........      .383     165.3     165.7        2.3         .2         .5         .1         .0
+                            _  _
       Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ........      .200     143.3     145.4        4.3        1.5         .5         .1        1.5
+                              _  _
         Maintenance and repair
             services 1/ 4/ .................      .123     150.0     153.8        5.1        2.5         .7         .1        2.5
+                     _  _
         Maintenance and repair
             commodities 1/ 4/ ..............      .077     134.1     133.7        2.8        -.3         .4         .0        -.3
+                        _  _
     Fuel and other utilities 2/ ............     7.102     131.9     132.1        2.4         .2        -.6         .6         .2
+                             _
       Fuels ................................     3.878     119.8     119.6        1.9        -.2       -1.1         .8         .0
         Fuel oil and other household fuel
             commodities ....................      .424      98.0      94.7        2.6       -3.4        -.4        -.7       -1.9
         Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
             services).......................     3.453     127.5     127.8        1.8         .2       -1.3        1.0         .2
       Other utilities and public
           services 4/ ......................     3.224     161.7     162.4        3.1         .4         .1         .4         .5
+                   _
     Household furnishings and operation 2/ .     5.908     125.7     125.6         .7        -.1         .4         .0        -.2
+                                        _
       Housefurnishings 4/ ..................     3.332     111.2     110.7        -.4        -.4         .7        -.2        -.6
+                       _
       Housekeeping supplies ................     1.093     142.9     144.0        2.1         .8        -.1         .1         .7
       Housekeeping services 4/ .............     1.482     151.8     152.1        2.4         .2         .1         .3         .2
+                            _
 
   Apparel and upkeep .......................     5.330     132.4     130.2        1.5       -1.7         .1        -.2         .2
     Apparel commodities 4/ .................     4.786     128.6     126.2        1.4       -1.9         .2        -.3         .1
+                        _
       Men's and boys' apparel ..............     1.280     129.0     128.0        2.3        -.8         .2        -.6         .5
       Women's and girls' apparel............     2.102     125.6     121.1        2.2       -3.6         .6        -.1        -.5
       Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ....      .186     132.9     131.3        4.5       -1.2         .1        -.7       -1.2
+                                     _
       Footwear .............................      .718     126.3     125.9         .2        -.3        -.3       -1.0        1.0
       Other apparel commodities 4/..........      .500     146.4     146.9       -3.0         .3        -.6         .5         .4
+                                _
     Apparel services 1/ 4/ .................      .545     163.2     163.5        2.3         .2         .2         .2         .2
+                     _  _
 
   Transportation ...........................    17.140     144.0     143.7         .1        -.2        -.8        -.3         .1
     Private transportation .................    15.499     140.7     140.1        -.3        -.4        -.9        -.3         .1
       New vehicles .........................     4.955     144.2     143.7         .3        -.3        -.2         .0         .1
         New cars ...........................     3.952     141.7     141.1         .1        -.4        -.1        -.1         .1
       Used cars ............................     1.278     151.8     149.9       -4.5       -1.3        -.9       -1.8       -1.1
       Motor fuel ...........................     3.171     105.9     103.9       -4.6       -1.9       -4.0       -1.1        -.2
         Gasoline ...........................      -        105.4     103.5       -4.9       -1.8       -4.1        -.9        -.4
       Maintenance and repairs ..............     1.533     162.6     162.9        3.0         .2         .2         .4         .2
       Other private transportation 4/.......     4.562     176.7     177.5        2.3         .5         .0         .1         .5
+                                   _
         Other private transportation
             commodities 4/..................      .589     104.7     105.3         .6         .6         .1         .1         .7
+                        _
         Other private transportation
             services 4/ ....................     3.973     193.8     194.5        2.5         .4         .1         .1         .5
+                     _
     Public transportation ..................     1.642     186.6     189.4        3.7        1.5         .2        -.6         .5
 
   Medical care .............................     7.346     234.4     234.8        2.7         .2         .3         .2         .0
     Medical care commodities ...............     1.273     216.0     216.0        2.4         .0         .4         .1        -.1
     Medical care services ..................     6.073     238.7     239.2        2.7         .2         .3         .2         .1
       Professional medical services ........     3.472     215.5     215.9        3.4         .2         .3         .2         .1
 
   Entertainment 4/ .........................     4.352     162.7     162.6        2.3        -.1         .2         .5         .1
+                _
     Entertainment commodities 4/ ...........     1.957     143.9     143.8         .6        -.1        -.1         .2        -.1
+                              _
     Entertainment services 4/ ..............     2.395     184.5     184.5        3.7         .0         .3         .8         .2
+                           _
 
   Other goods and services 2/ ..............     7.145     223.1     223.5        4.1         .2         .2         .2         .3
+                           _
     Tobacco and smoking products ...........     1.601     241.3     242.0        3.7         .3        -.5        -.9         .4
     Personal care 1/ .......................     1.145     152.8     152.6        1.7        -.1        -.1         .1        -.1
+                  _
       Toilet goods and personal care
           appliances 1/ ....................      .588     144.2     143.7        -.5        -.3        -.3         .1        -.3
+                     _
       Personal care services 1/ ............      .557     162.6     162.5        4.0        -.1         .2         .2        -.1
+                             _
     Personal and educational expenses 4/ ...     4.398     257.3     258.0        5.0         .3         .5         .6         .3
+                                      _
       School books and supplies ............      .264     237.2     237.7        5.8         .2         .6         .9         .4
       Personal and educational services 4/ .     4.134     259.1     259.8        4.9         .3         .5         .6         .4
+                                        _
 
         Commodity and service group
 
 All items ..................................   100.000     160.3     160.5        2.2         .1         .1         .1         .2
   Commodities ..............................    42.873     141.5     141.0        1.1        -.4        -.1        -.1         .1
     Food and beverages .....................    17.484     157.1     157.5        2.5         .3         .4         .2         .3
     Commodities less food and beverages ....    25.389     132.0     131.0         .1        -.8        -.5        -.3        -.2
       Nondurables less food and beverages ..    15.147     134.2     132.9         .5       -1.0        -.7        -.3         .0
         Apparel commodities 4/ .............     4.786     128.6     126.2        1.4       -1.9         .2        -.3         .1
+                            _
         Nondurables less food, beverages,
             and apparel ....................    10.362     140.1     139.3         .0        -.6       -1.1        -.6        -.1
       Durables .............................    10.242     129.0     128.3        -.6        -.5         .0        -.2        -.3
   Services .................................    57.127     179.3     180.1        3.0         .4         .2         .3         .3
     Rent of shelter 3/ .....................    27.577     183.1     184.1        2.9         .5         .3         .3         .2
+                    _
     Household services less rent of
         shelter 3/ 4/.......................     8.698     147.0     147.5        2.5         .3        -.3         .6         .3
+                _  _
     Transportation services ................     7.148     184.5     185.6        2.9         .6         .1         .0         .4
     Medical care services ..................     6.073     238.7     239.2        2.7         .2         .3         .2         .1
     Other services .........................     7.631     208.8     209.1        4.2         .1         .4         .6         .3
 
               Special indexes
 
 All items less food ........................    84.087     161.0     161.1        2.2         .1        -.1         .1         .2
 All items less shelter .....................    71.806     155.7     155.6        1.8        -.1         .0         .1         .1
 All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/......    80.000     161.2     161.3        2.0         .1        -.1         .1         .1
+                                 _  _
 All items less medical care ................    92.654     156.1     156.3        2.2         .1         .0         .1         .2
 Commodities less food ......................    26.960     133.3     132.3         .2        -.8        -.4        -.3        -.1
 Nondurables less food ......................    16.718     135.9     134.7         .7        -.9        -.4        -.4         .0
 Nondurables less food and apparel ..........    11.932     141.4     140.8         .4        -.4       -1.0        -.3         .1
 Nondurables ................................    32.631     145.8     145.4        1.6        -.3        -.2         .1         .2
 Services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/ ........    29.550     188.1     188.8        3.1         .4         .1         .4         .3
+                              _  _
 Services less medical care services ........    51.054     173.8     174.6        3.1         .5         .1         .3         .3
 Energy .....................................     7.049     112.3     111.4       -1.0        -.8       -2.4         .0        -.1
 All items less energy ......................    92.951     166.7     167.0        2.4         .2         .2         .1         .2
   All items less food and energy ...........    77.038     169.2     169.5        2.4         .2         .2         .1         .2
     Commodities less food and
         energy commodities .................    23.364     142.2     141.5         .9        -.5         .1        -.2        -.1
       Energy commodities ...................     3.596     105.2     103.1       -3.8       -2.0       -3.6       -1.1        -.4
     Services less energy services ..........    53.674     184.6     185.4        3.1         .4         .3         .3         .3
 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar:
   1982-84=$1.00 1/ .........................      -        $.624     $.623       -2.2        -.2         .2        -.2        -.2
+                _
   1967=$1.00 1/ ............................      -         .208      .208        -          -          -          -          -
+             _
 
+
 
    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-
                                                  Apr.     May    June    July    Oct.    Jan.    Apr.    July     Jan.      July
                                                  1997    1997    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997    1997     1997      1997
 
               Expenditure category
 
  All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        3.1     2.8     1.5     1.5      2.9       1.5
 
    Food and beverages .........................   156.5   157.1   157.4   157.9     5.3      .8      .5     3.6      3.0       2.1
      Food .....................................   156.2   156.8   157.1   157.6     5.3      .5      .5     3.6      2.9       2.1
        Food at home ...........................   156.5   157.4   157.7   158.2     6.6    -1.3     -.5     4.4      2.6       1.9
          Cereals and bakery products ..........   176.3   176.9   177.6   177.7     2.8     2.1      .0     3.2      2.4       1.6
          Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......   147.7   148.5   148.6   149.3     8.2     2.5    -2.7     4.4      5.3        .8
          Dairy products 1/ ....................   145.7   145.4   144.1   143.3    22.2    -4.0    -5.6    -6.4      8.3      -6.0
+                        _
          Fruits and vegetables 2/..............   181.5   184.7   185.3   186.2     4.4   -11.0    -1.5    10.8     -3.6       4.4
+                               _
          Other food at home ...................   146.5   146.7   147.7   148.6     2.5     2.0     5.7     5.9      2.3       5.8
            Sugar and sweets ...................   147.6   147.4   148.1   148.8     3.4     4.2     1.9     3.3      3.8       2.6
            Fats and oils ......................   142.0   141.8   141.4   141.0     4.7      .9      .3    -2.8      2.7      -1.3
            Nonalcoholic beverages .............   131.5   133.3   134.9   137.1    -2.2      .9    11.7    18.2      -.6      14.9
            Other prepared food ................   160.8   160.1   161.0   161.2     4.7     2.5     3.6     1.0      3.6       2.3
        Food away from home ....................   156.2   156.3   156.6   157.1     3.4     3.2     2.3     2.3      3.3       2.3
      Alcoholic beverages ......................   161.8   162.3   162.4   162.9     4.4     3.0     1.0     2.7      3.7       1.9
 
    Housing 2/ .................................   155.9   156.1   156.5   156.8     2.6     3.4     1.8     2.3      3.0       2.1
+           _
      Shelter ..................................   174.9   175.4   175.8   176.2     2.4     2.8     3.5     3.0      2.6       3.3
        Renters' costs 3/ 4/....................   184.5   184.8   185.4   185.3     2.5     3.8     3.8     1.7      3.1       2.8
+                      _  _
          Rent, residential ....................   165.5   166.1   166.5   166.8     2.5     3.0     2.7     3.2      2.7       2.9
          Other renters' costs 4/ ..............   224.6   224.0   225.2   223.7     2.2     6.0     6.5    -1.6      4.1       2.4
+                              _
        Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/ ................   180.4   180.9   181.2   181.9     2.3     2.7     3.2     3.4      2.5       3.3
+                         _  _
          Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ...........   180.7   181.3   181.6   182.3     2.3     2.7     3.2     3.6      2.5       3.4
+                                 _
          Household insurance 3/ 4/ ............   164.2   165.0   165.1   165.1     5.1    -1.0     3.2     2.2      2.0       2.7
+                             _  _
        Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ..........   142.5   143.2   143.3   145.4     2.3     3.8     2.9     8.4      3.0       5.6
+                               _  _
          Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/    148.9   149.9   150.0   153.8     2.8     2.5     1.9    13.8      2.6       7.7
+                                         _  _
          Maintenance and repair
              commodities 1/ 4/ ................   133.6   134.1   134.1   133.7     1.2     6.3     3.4      .3      3.7       1.8
+                         _  _
      Fuel and other utilities 2/...............   130.2   129.4   130.2   130.5     5.1     7.0    -3.0      .9      6.1      -1.1
+                              _
        Fuels ..................................   116.7   115.4   116.3   116.3     6.1    10.4    -6.9    -1.4      8.2      -4.2
          Fuel oil and other household fuel
              commodities ......................   100.4   100.0    99.3    97.4    45.9    15.8   -25.9   -11.4     30.0     -19.0
          Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
              services).........................   123.9   122.3   123.5   123.8     2.3    10.2    -4.4     -.3      6.2      -2.4
        Other utilities and public services 4/ .   160.6   160.8   161.5   162.3     3.6     3.1     1.5     4.3      3.3       2.9
+                                           _
      Household furnishings and operation 2/ ...   125.2   125.7   125.7   125.5     1.0      .0     1.0     1.0       .5       1.0
+                                         _
        Housefurnishings 4/ ....................   110.7   111.5   111.3   110.6      .0     -.4    -1.1     -.4      -.2       -.7
+                        _
        Housekeeping supplies ..................   143.0   142.9   143.0   144.0     1.1     2.3     2.0     2.8      1.7       2.4
        Housekeeping services 4/ ...............   151.1   151.3   151.8   152.1     3.5     -.8     4.1     2.7      1.4       3.4
+                             _
 
    Apparel and upkeep .........................   133.4   133.6   133.3   133.5     -.6     3.1     3.4      .3      1.2       1.8
      Apparel commodities 4/ ...................   129.7   129.9   129.5   129.6     -.6     3.2     3.5     -.3      1.3       1.6
+                         _
        Men's and boys' apparel ................   130.3   130.5   129.7   130.4     -.3     6.8     2.5      .3      3.2       1.4
        Women's and girls' apparel .............   126.8   127.5   127.4   126.8    -1.3     6.6     3.5      .0      2.6       1.8
        Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ......   133.7   133.8   132.9   131.3     9.2    -1.9    19.4    -7.0      3.5       5.4
+                                      _
        Footwear ...............................   127.7   127.3   126.0   127.3     -.6    -1.3     4.2    -1.2      -.9       1.4
        Other apparel commodities 4/............   146.5   145.6   146.3   146.9    -2.6    -9.5     -.8     1.1     -6.1        .1
+                                 _
      Apparel services 1/ 4/ ...................   162.6   162.9   163.2   163.5     1.8     2.8     2.2     2.2      2.3       2.2
+                      _  _
 
    Transportation .............................   144.8   143.6   143.2   143.3     3.4     3.1    -1.6    -4.1      3.2      -2.9
      Private transportation ...................   141.6   140.3   139.9   140.0     2.3     4.0    -2.2    -4.4      3.2      -3.3
        New vehicles ...........................   144.6   144.3   144.3   144.4     2.0     -.6      .6     -.6       .7        .0
          New cars .............................   142.0   141.8   141.7   141.8     2.0    -1.4      .3     -.6       .3       -.1
        Used cars ..............................   155.1   153.7   150.9   149.2     -.3    -2.5      .0   -14.4     -1.4      -7.5
        Motor fuel .............................   106.8   102.5   101.4   101.2     2.3    21.0   -16.7   -19.4     11.2     -18.1
          Gasoline .............................   106.2   101.8   100.9   100.5     1.1    21.6   -17.1   -19.8     10.9     -18.5
        Maintenance and repairs ................   161.9   162.2   162.8   163.2     4.9     2.8     1.5     3.3      3.8       2.4
        Other private transportation 4/.........   177.0   177.0   177.2   178.1     2.3      .2     4.2     2.5      1.3       3.3
+                                    _
          Other private transportation
              commodities 4/....................   104.7   104.8   104.9   105.6      .8    -1.5     -.4     3.5      -.4       1.5
+                         _
          Other private transportation
              services 4/ ......................   194.3   194.4   194.5   195.5     2.5      .4     4.9     2.5      1.5       3.7
+                      _
      Public transportation ....................   188.1   188.4   187.2   188.1    15.4    -5.0     5.5      .0      4.7       2.7
 
    Medical care ...............................   233.8   234.5   234.9   235.0     2.6     2.6     3.3     2.1      2.6       2.7
      Medical care commodities .................   215.0   215.8   216.0   215.8     3.1      .8     4.2     1.5      1.9       2.8
      Medical care services ....................   237.9   238.5   239.0   239.2     2.6     2.9     3.3     2.2      2.8       2.7
        Professional medical services ..........   214.4   215.0   215.5   215.7     3.9     3.7     3.8     2.4      3.8       3.1
    Entertainment 4/ ...........................   161.8   162.1   162.9   163.0     2.5     2.0     1.7     3.0      2.3       2.4
+                 _
      Entertainment commodities 4/ .............   143.9   143.8   144.1   143.9     2.3      .6     -.3      .0      1.4       -.1
+                               _
      Entertainment services 4/ ................   182.7   183.3   184.7   185.0     2.7     3.2     3.6     5.1      2.9       4.4
+                            _
 
    Other goods and services 2/.................   224.1   224.5   224.9   225.6     3.4     3.5     7.1     2.7      3.4       4.9
+                            _
      Tobacco and smoking products .............   244.2   242.9   240.6   241.5     4.4     1.4    14.3    -4.3      2.9       4.5
      Personal care 1/ .........................   152.7   152.6   152.8   152.6     2.4     1.9     2.9     -.3      2.1       1.3
+                   _
        Toilet goods and personal care
            appliances 1/ ......................   144.5   144.1   144.2   143.7      .6    -2.7     2.5    -2.2     -1.1        .1
+                      _
        Personal care services 1/ ..............   162.0   162.3   162.6   162.5     4.2     7.3     3.3     1.2      5.7       2.3
+                              _
      Personal and educational expenses 4/ .....   257.0   258.4   260.0   260.9     3.3     4.7     5.6     6.2      4.0       5.9
+                                       _
        School books and supplies ..............   235.1   236.6   238.7   239.6     7.4     2.8     5.1     7.9      5.1       6.5
        Personal and educational services 4/ ...   258.5   259.9   261.4   262.4     3.1     4.8     5.6     6.2      4.0       5.9
+                                         _
 
           Commodity and service group
 
  All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        3.1     2.8     1.5     1.5      2.9       1.5
    Commodities ................................   141.7   141.5   141.3   141.4     3.2     2.3     -.3     -.8      2.7       -.6
      Food and beverages .......................   156.5   157.1   157.4   157.9     5.3      .8      .5     3.6      3.0       2.1
      Commodities less food and beverages ......   132.7   132.0   131.6   131.4     1.8     3.4     -.9    -3.9      2.6      -2.4
        Nondurables less food and beverages ....   134.8   133.9   133.5   133.5     1.8     5.5    -1.5    -3.8      3.6      -2.6
          Apparel commodities 4/ ...............   129.7   129.9   129.5   129.6     -.6     3.2     3.5     -.3      1.3       1.6
+                             _
          Nondurables less food, beverages,
              and apparel ......................   140.8   139.3   138.4   138.2     2.9     8.9    -3.9    -7.2      5.9      -5.5
        Durables ...............................   129.3   129.3   129.0   128.6      .9     -.3     -.6    -2.1       .3      -1.4
    Services ...................................   178.5   178.8   179.3   179.8     3.0     3.2     3.0     2.9      3.1       3.0
      Rent of shelter 3/ .......................   182.3   182.8   183.3   183.6     2.5     3.2     3.4     2.9      2.8       3.1
+                     _
      Household services less rent
          of shelter 3/ 4/......................   145.0   144.6   145.5   145.9     3.1     4.8     -.3     2.5      4.0       1.1
+                    _  _
      Transportation services ..................   184.9   185.0   185.0   185.8     5.9     -.4     4.4     2.0      2.7       3.2
      Medical care services ....................   237.9   238.5   239.0   239.2     2.6     2.9     3.3     2.2      2.8       2.7
      Other services ...........................   208.4   209.3   210.5   211.1     3.0     4.4     4.5     5.3      3.7       4.9
 
                 Special indexes
 
  All items less food ..........................   160.6   160.5   160.7   161.0     2.8     3.1     1.8     1.0      2.9       1.4
  All items less shelter .......................   155.5   155.5   155.6   155.8     3.4     2.6      .8      .8      3.0        .8
  All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/........   161.0   160.9   161.1   161.3     3.3     2.8     1.3      .7      3.1       1.0
+                                  _  _
  All items less medical care ..................   155.7   155.7   155.9   156.2     3.2     2.6     1.6     1.3      2.9       1.4
  Commodities less food ........................   134.0   133.4   133.0   132.9     2.1     3.0     -.6    -3.2      2.6      -1.9
  Nondurables less food ........................   136.3   135.7   135.2   135.2     1.8     5.4    -1.5    -3.2      3.6      -2.3
  Nondurables less food and apparel ............   141.5   140.1   139.7   139.8     4.4     6.1    -3.9    -4.7      5.2      -4.3
  Nondurables ..................................   145.7   145.4   145.5   145.8     3.4     3.6    -1.1      .3      3.5       -.4
  Services less rent of shelter 3/ .............   187.2   187.3   188.0   188.6     3.5     3.1     2.8     3.0      3.3       2.9
+                               _
  Services less medical care services ..........   172.9   173.1   173.6   174.2     3.1     3.3     2.8     3.0      3.2       2.9
  Energy .......................................   111.2   108.5   108.5   108.4     4.5    14.9   -11.3    -9.7      9.5     -10.5
  All items less energy ........................   166.6   167.0   167.2   167.5     3.0     1.7     2.7     2.2      2.3       2.4
    All items less food and energy .............   169.2   169.5   169.7   170.0     2.4     2.2     3.1     1.9      2.3       2.5
      Commodities less food and energy
          commodities ..........................   142.7   142.8   142.5   142.4     1.4      .8     2.0     -.8      1.1        .6
        Energy commodities .....................   106.2   102.4   101.3   100.9     6.2    20.1   -17.7   -18.5     13.0     -18.1
      Services less energy services ............   184.0   184.5   185.0   185.5     2.9     2.7     3.6     3.3      2.8       3.4
 
+
 
     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                                       July 1997 from-         June 1997 from-
                                           schedule    Apr.     May    June    July    July     May    June    June    Apr.     May
                                              1/       1997    1997    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997
+                                             _
 
 
 
 U.S. city average ......................      M        160.2   160.1   160.3   160.5     2.2     0.2     0.1     2.3     0.1     0.1
 
         Region and area size 2/
+                             _
 
 Northeast urban.........................      M        167.1   166.8   167.0   167.6     2.6      .5      .4     2.4     -.1      .1
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        167.7   167.5   167.7   168.2     2.5      .4      .3     2.4      .0      .1
   Size B -  500,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        165.4   164.7   165.2   165.9     2.5      .7      .4     2.7     -.1      .3
+                                 _
   Size C -  50,000 to 500,000 3/........      M        165.6   165.2   165.6   166.4     3.0      .7      .5     2.9      .0      .2
+                              _
 
 North Central urban ....................      M        156.1   156.3   156.7   156.6     2.2      .2     -.1     2.5      .4      .3
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        156.9   157.0   157.3   157.3     2.3      .2      .0     2.5      .3      .2
   Size B -  360,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        154.8   155.4   155.7   155.8     2.2      .3      .1     2.4      .6      .2
+                                 _
   Size C -  50,000 to 360,000 3/........      M        158.2   158.3   158.7   158.5     2.5      .1     -.1     3.0      .3      .3
+                              _
   Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
             (less than 50,000) .........      M        152.1   152.2   152.6   152.6     1.5      .3      .0     1.9      .3      .3
 
 South urban ............................      M        156.7   156.6   157.0   157.0     1.9      .3      .0     1.9      .2      .3
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        155.7   155.5   155.8   155.8     1.7      .2      .0     1.7      .1      .2
   Size B -  450,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        159.8   159.7   160.4   160.5     2.4      .5      .1     2.6      .4      .4
+                                 _
   Size C -  50,000 to 450,000 3/........      M        156.0   156.1   156.4   156.0     1.5     -.1     -.3     1.7      .3      .2
+                              _
   Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
             (less than 50,000) .........      M        156.1   156.0   156.3   156.4     2.6      .3      .1     2.2      .1      .2
 
 West urban .............................      M        161.1   161.1   161.0   161.1     2.0      .0      .1     2.2     -.1     -.1
   Size A -  More than 1,250,000 ........      M        161.2   161.1   161.1   161.3     2.1      .1      .1     2.4     -.1      .0
   Size C -  50,000 to 330,000 3/........      M        166.5   166.5   166.0   166.1     2.3     -.2      .1     2.2     -.3     -.3
+                              _
 
 Size classes
   A 4/ .................................      M        144.5   144.5   144.6   144.8     2.2      .2      .1     2.3      .1      .1
+    _
   B 3/ .................................      M        160.4   160.4   160.7   160.9     2.2      .3      .1     2.4      .2      .2
+    _
   C 3/ .................................      M        160.0   160.0   160.2   160.1     2.1      .1     -.1     2.4      .1      .1
+    _
   D ....................................      M        156.5   156.4   156.6   156.7     2.0      .2      .1     1.9      .1      .1
 
           Selected local areas
 
 Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI......      M        160.9   161.1   161.7   161.7     2.5      .4      .0     2.6      .5      .4
 Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ......      M        159.9   159.5   159.4   159.5     1.2      .0      .1     1.7     -.3     -.1
 N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT      M        170.2   169.9   170.3   170.8     2.5      .5      .3     2.3      .1      .2
 Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton,
 PA-NJ-DE-MD 5/ .........................      M        166.0   166.0   166.1   166.4     2.2      .2      .2     2.3      .1      .1
+            _
 San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA 5/ ..      M        159.6   159.8   160.0   160.6     3.0      .5      .4     3.1      .3      .1
+                                   _
 
 Baltimore, MD 6/ .......................      1         -      155.5    -      156.9      .8      .9    -       -       -       -
+              _
 Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ...........      1         -      166.7    -      167.1     3.1      .2    -       -       -       -
 Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH .............      1         -      155.6    -      156.3     2.8      .4    -       -       -       -
 Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ..............      1         -      157.9    -      157.9     3.6      .0    -       -       -       -
 St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL 7/ .....      1         -      152.1    -      153.3     2.3      .8    -       -       -       -
+                                _
 Washington, DC-MD-VA 6/ ................      1         -      162.1    -      162.9     1.7      .5    -       -       -       -
+                     _
 
 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX ..................      2        150.6    -      151.4    -       -       -       -        1.3      .5    -
 Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI ..................      2        156.0    -      155.0    -       -       -       -        2.0     -.6    -
 Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .........      2        145.2    -      144.8    -       -       -       -        1.4     -.3    -
 Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA 7/ ........      2        156.6    -      157.4    -       -       -       -        2.7      .5    -
+                             _
 
+
 
    1/     Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all areas; most other goods and services priced as
+   _
           indicated:
             M - Every month.
             1 - January, March, May, July, September, and November.
             2 - February, April, June, August, October, and December.
    2/     Regions defined as the four Census regions.  See map in technical notes.
+   _
    3/     Starting in January, 1998, a new Size Class B/C will be introduced, composed of current
+   _
           Size Class B and Size Class C cities.  There will be no individual Size Class B or Size Class C.
    4/     Indexes on a December 1986=100 base.
+   _
    5/     Indexes for the cities of Philadelphia and San Francisco will no longer be published on a monthly
+   _
           basis starting in January, 1998.  Beginning in February, 1998 they will be published on a
           bi-monthly basis.
    6/     Indexes for the cities of Washington and Baltimore will no longer be published separately after December, 1997.
+   _
           Beginning in January, 1998 the two cities will be published as a Washington-Baltimore
           combined metropolitan area.
    7/     Indexes for the cities of Pittsburgh and St. Louis will no longer be published on a bi-monthly
+   _
           basis after December, 1997.  Beginning in July, 1998 they will be published semi-annually, each
           January and July.
    -      Data not available.
    NOTE:  Local area CPI indexes are byproducts of the national CPI program.  Each local index has a smaller sample size than
           the national index and is, therefore, subject to substantially more sampling and other measurement error.  As a
           result, local area indexes show greater volatility than the national index, although their long-term trends are
           similar.  Therefore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics strongly urges users to consider adopting the national average
           CPI for use in their escalator clauses.
 
 
 Table 4. Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W): U.S. city average, by expenditure category and
 commodity and service group
 
 (1982-84=100, unless otherwise noted)
 
+
                                               Relative   Unadjusted indexes       Unadjusted             Seasonally adjusted
                                              importance,                       percent change to         percent change from-
                                               December     June      July       July 1997 from-     Apr. to     May to    June to
                                                 1996       1997      1997    July 1996  June 1997     May        June       July
 
             Expenditure category
 
 All items ..................................   100.000     157.4     157.5        2.1        0.1        0.0        0.1        0.2
 All items (1967=100) .......................      -        468.8     469.0        -          -          -          -          -
 
   Food and beverages .......................    19.436     156.6     157.0        2.5         .3         .4         .2         .3
     Food ...................................    17.749     156.1     156.6        2.5         .3         .3         .3         .3
       Food at home .........................    11.387     156.5     156.9        2.3         .3         .5         .3         .3
         Cereals and bakery products ........     1.688     177.9     177.9        1.9         .0         .4         .4         .0
         Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .....     3.535     147.5     148.0        3.1         .3         .5         .1         .5
         Dairy products 1/ ..................     1.387     143.8     143.0         .8        -.6        -.2        -.9        -.6
+                       _
         Fruits and vegetables 2/ ...........     2.086     183.1     184.0         .3         .5        1.7         .5         .5
+                              _
         Other food at home .................     2.691     147.2     147.9        3.7         .5         .2         .5         .6
           Sugar and sweets .................      .373     148.1     149.2        3.2         .7        -.1         .3         .5
           Fats and oils ....................      .282     141.3     141.1         .6        -.1        -.1        -.2        -.6
           Nonalcoholic beverages ...........      .841     133.6     134.9        6.1        1.0        1.2        1.1        1.5
           Other prepared food ..............     1.194     160.9     161.2        2.9         .2        -.4         .4         .2
       Food away from home ..................     6.362     156.6     157.1        2.9         .3         .0         .3         .3
     Alcoholic beverages ....................     1.687     162.1     162.2        2.8         .1         .4         .1         .2
 
   Housing 2/ ...............................    38.747     153.6     154.1        2.5         .3         .1         .3         .2
+          _
     Shelter ................................    25.867     170.9     171.7        2.9         .5         .3         .2         .2
       Renters' costs 3/ 4/..................     8.079     162.6     163.7        2.9         .7         .3         .3        -.1
+                     _  _
         Rent, residential ..................     6.580     166.0     166.5        2.8         .3         .3         .3         .2
         Other renters' costs 4/ ............     1.499     227.3     232.9        3.1        2.5         .2         .6       -1.1
+                             _
       Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/...............    17.599     165.1     165.7        2.9         .4         .2         .2         .4
+                        _  _
         Owners' equivalent rent 3/ .........    17.277     165.4     166.0        2.9         .4         .3         .2         .4
+                                _
         Household insurance 3/ 4/ ..........      .322     149.8     150.3        1.7         .3         .3         .1         .1
+                            _  _
       Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ........      .189     141.7     143.6        4.1        1.3         .5         .0        1.3
+                              _  _
         Maintenance and repair
             services 1/ 4/ .................      .105     152.0     155.9        5.2        2.6         .7         .1        2.6
+                     _  _
         Maintenance and repair
             commodities 1/ 4/ ..............      .084     128.6     128.3        2.8        -.2         .3         .0        -.2
+                        _  _
     Fuel and other utilities 2/ ............     7.344     131.7     131.9        2.5         .2        -.5         .6         .2
+                             _
       Fuels ................................     3.979     119.2     119.1        1.8        -.1       -1.1         .9         .0
         Fuel oil and other household fuel
             commodities ....................      .391      97.6      94.5        2.6       -3.2        -.4        -.7       -1.8
         Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
             services).......................     3.588     127.0     127.3        1.8         .2       -1.2        1.0         .2
       Other utilities and public
           services 4/ ......................     3.365     162.5     163.2        3.3         .4         .1         .4         .6
+                   _
     Household furnishings and operation 2/ .     5.536     124.2     124.1         .7        -.1         .5        -.1        -.1
+                                        _
       Housefurnishings 4/ ..................     3.261     110.0     109.5        -.3        -.5         .7        -.2        -.5
+                       _
       Housekeeping supplies ................     1.129     143.4     144.4        2.0         .7        -.1        -.1         .6
       Housekeeping services 4/ .............     1.145     154.4     154.7        2.4         .2         .1         .5         .2
+                            _
 
   Apparel and upkeep .......................     5.348     131.8     129.8        1.5       -1.5         .2        -.3         .2
     Apparel commodities 4/ .................     4.838     128.3     126.1        1.4       -1.7         .2        -.3         .2
+                        _
       Men's and boys' apparel ..............     1.286     128.8     128.0        2.6        -.6         .0        -.5         .8
       Women's and girls' apparel............     2.053     124.8     120.6        2.1       -3.4         .6         .0        -.4
       Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ....      .240     133.8     132.0        4.1       -1.3         .0        -.8       -1.3
+                                     _
       Footwear .............................      .799     127.2     126.8         .0        -.3        -.3        -.9         .9
       Other apparel commodities 4/..........      .461     146.3     146.8       -2.7         .3        -.7         .3         .6
+                                _
     Apparel services 1/ 4/ .................      .510     162.2     162.6        2.1         .2         .1         .2         .2
+                     _  _
 
   Transportation ...........................    19.190     143.4     142.9        -.3        -.3       -1.0        -.4         .1
     Private transportation .................    17.934     141.1     140.4        -.5        -.5       -1.0        -.3        -.1
       New vehicles .........................     4.893     145.4     144.9         .4        -.3        -.3         .0         .1
         New cars ...........................     3.533     141.3     140.7         .1        -.4        -.1        -.1         .1
       Used cars ............................     2.320     153.3     151.4       -4.2       -1.2        -.9       -1.7       -1.2
       Motor fuel ...........................     3.921     105.9     104.0       -4.4       -1.8       -3.8        -.9        -.4
         Gasoline ...........................      -        105.5     103.6       -4.7       -1.8       -4.1        -.8        -.4
       Maintenance and repairs ..............     1.616     163.7     164.0        3.2         .2         .2         .4         .3
       Other private transportation 4/.......     5.185     172.1     172.8        2.1         .4        -.1         .2         .5
+                                   _
         Other private transportation
             commodities 4/..................      .742     103.8     104.4         .6         .6         .2         .1         .6
+                        _
         Other private transportation
             services 4/ ....................     4.442     189.4     190.2        2.4         .4        -.1         .2         .5
+                     _
     Public transportation ..................     1.256     184.0     186.2        3.1        1.2        -.1        -.7         .9
 
   Medical care .............................     6.251     233.8     234.2        2.6         .2         .3         .2         .1
     Medical care commodities ...............     1.047     213.4     213.3        2.3         .0         .5         .0         .0
     Medical care services ..................     5.204     238.4     238.9        2.7         .2         .3         .2         .1
       Professional medical services ........     2.973     216.8     217.2        3.5         .2         .3         .2         .1
 
   Entertainment 4/ .........................     4.015     160.1     160.1        2.2         .0         .1         .5         .1
+                _
     Entertainment commodities 4/ ...........     2.036     142.7     142.7         .6         .0         .0         .1         .0
+                              _
     Entertainment services 4/ ..............     1.979     185.0     184.8        3.7        -.1         .2         .8         .2
+                           _
 
   Other goods and services 2/ ..............     7.012     219.9     220.3        4.1         .2         .1         .0         .3
+                           _
     Tobacco and smoking products ...........     2.117     240.9     241.7        3.6         .3        -.5        -.9         .5
     Personal care 1/ .......................     1.107     152.7     152.4        1.6        -.2         .0         .1        -.2
+                  _
       Toilet goods and personal care
           appliances 1/ ....................      .610     145.0     144.6        -.3        -.3        -.3         .0        -.3
+                     _
       Personal care services 1/ ............      .497     162.7     162.6        4.1        -.1         .2         .2        -.1
+                             _
     Personal and educational expenses 4/ ...     3.788     253.1     253.6        5.1         .2         .6         .4         .3
+                                      _
       School books and supplies ............      .232     239.6     240.1        6.5         .2         .7        1.1         .4
       Personal and educational services 4/ .     3.556     254.5     255.0        5.0         .2         .6         .4         .3
+                                        _
 
         Commodity and service group
 
 All items ..................................   100.000     157.4     157.5        2.1         .1         .0         .1         .2
   Commodities ..............................    47.057     141.5     141.0         .9        -.4        -.2        -.1         .1
     Food and beverages .....................    19.436     156.6     157.0        2.5         .3         .4         .2         .3
     Commodities less food and beverages ....    27.621     132.3     131.3        -.1        -.8        -.5        -.4        -.2
       Nondurables less food and beverages ..    16.215     134.1     132.9         .4        -.9        -.7        -.4         .1
         Apparel commodities 4/ .............     4.838     128.3     126.1        1.4       -1.7         .2        -.3         .2
+                            _
         Nondurables less food, beverages,
             and apparel ....................    11.377     139.9     139.1        -.1        -.6       -1.3        -.6        -.2
       Durables .............................    11.407     128.6     128.0        -.8        -.5         .1        -.5        -.3
   Services .................................    52.943     176.4     177.1        3.0         .4         .2         .3         .3
     Rent of shelter 3/ .....................    25.329     164.5     165.3        2.9         .5         .3         .3         .2
+                    _
     Household services less rent of
         shelter 3/ 4/.......................     8.553     135.1     135.5        2.4         .3        -.3         .6         .3
+                _  _
     Transportation services ................     7.314     182.0     182.9        2.7         .5        -.1         .1         .5
     Medical care services ..................     5.204     238.4     238.9        2.7         .2         .3         .2         .1
     Other services .........................     6.542     205.7     205.9        4.3         .1         .4         .5         .2
 
               Special indexes
 
 All items less food ........................    82.251     157.5     157.5        1.9         .0        -.1         .1         .1
 All items less shelter .....................    74.133     153.8     153.6        1.7        -.1        -.1         .1         .1
 All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/......    82.401     147.7     147.6        1.8        -.1        -.1         .1         .1
+                                 _  _
 All items less medical care ................    93.749     153.8     153.8        2.0         .0        -.1         .1         .1
 Commodities less food ......................    29.308     133.5     132.5         .1        -.7        -.5        -.4        -.1
 Nondurables less food ......................    17.901     135.8     134.7         .7        -.8        -.7        -.3         .1
 Nondurables less food and apparel ..........    13.064     141.1     140.4         .3        -.5       -1.2        -.3         .1
 Nondurables ................................    35.651     145.7     145.3        1.5        -.3        -.3         .0         .3
 Services less rent of shelter 3/ 4/ ........    27.613     167.7     168.2        3.0         .3         .1         .3         .3
+                              _  _
 Services less medical care services ........    47.738     171.1     171.8        3.0         .4         .2         .4         .4
 Energy .....................................     7.901     111.8     110.8       -1.2        -.9       -2.4         .0        -.2
 All items less energy ......................    92.099     163.8     164.0        2.3         .1         .2         .1         .2
   All items less food and energy ...........    74.350     165.8     165.9        2.3         .1         .2         .1         .2
     Commodities less food and
         energy commodities .................    24.996     141.8     141.1         .7        -.5         .0        -.3         .0
       Energy commodities ...................     4.312     105.5     103.4       -3.9       -2.0       -3.5        -.9        -.5
     Services less energy services ..........    49.354     181.9     182.6        3.0         .4         .2         .3         .3
 Purchasing power of the consumer dollar:
   1982-84=$1.00 1/ .........................      -        $.635     $.635       -2.0         .0         .0        -.2         .0
+                _
   1967=$1.00 1/ ............................      -         .213      .213        -          -          -          -          -
+             _
 
+
 
    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-
                                                  Apr.     May    June    July    Oct.    Jan.    Apr.    July     Jan.      July
                                                  1997    1997    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997    1997     1997      1997
 
               Expenditure category
 
  All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        3.1     2.9     1.0     1.3      3.0       1.2
 
    Food and beverages .........................   156.1   156.7   157.0   157.5     5.3     1.0      .3     3.6      3.1       1.9
      Food .....................................   155.7   156.2   156.6   157.1     5.6      .5      .5     3.6      3.0       2.1
        Food at home ...........................   155.8   156.6   157.0   157.5     6.7    -1.0     -.5     4.4      2.7       1.9
          Cereals and bakery products ..........   176.0   176.7   177.4   177.4     2.6     2.8     -.5     3.2      2.7       1.4
          Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs .......   147.4   148.2   148.3   149.1     8.0     2.5    -2.4     4.7      5.2       1.1
          Dairy products 1/ ....................   145.4   145.1   143.8   143.0    21.2    -3.4    -5.8    -6.4      8.2      -6.1
+                        _
          Fruits and vegetables 2/..............   181.0   184.1   185.0   186.0     3.7   -10.9    -1.7    11.5     -3.8       4.7
+                               _
          Other food at home ...................   145.9   146.2   147.0   147.9     2.0     2.3     5.1     5.6      2.1       5.3
            Sugar and sweets ...................   147.7   147.5   147.9   148.7     3.1     3.6     3.0     2.7      3.4       2.9
            Fats and oils ......................   141.7   141.6   141.3   140.5     4.7      .3      .9    -3.3      2.4      -1.3
            Nonalcoholic beverages .............   130.6   132.2   133.7   135.7    -2.5      .9    10.4    16.6      -.8      13.5
            Other prepared food ................   160.7   160.0   160.7   161.0     4.7     2.8     3.6      .7      3.7       2.1
        Food away from home ....................   156.2   156.2   156.6   157.1     3.7     3.4     2.1     2.3      3.6       2.2
      Alcoholic beverages ......................   161.0   161.7   161.8   162.2     4.6     3.0      .5     3.0      3.8       1.7
 
    Housing 2/ .................................   152.5   152.7   153.1   153.4     2.4     3.5     1.6     2.4      3.0       2.0
+           _
      Shelter ..................................   170.0   170.5   170.9   171.3     2.2     2.9     3.4     3.1      2.5       3.2
        Renters' costs 3/ 4/....................   161.0   161.5   162.0   161.9     2.0     3.3     3.6     2.3      2.7       2.9
+                      _  _
          Rent, residential ....................   165.2   165.7   166.2   166.5     2.2     3.0     2.7     3.2      2.6       2.9
          Other renters' costs 4/ ..............   223.9   224.3   225.7   223.3     1.3     5.8     6.3    -1.1      3.5       2.6
+                              _
        Homeowners' costs 3/ 4/ ................   164.5   164.9   165.3   165.9     2.3     2.7     3.2     3.4      2.5       3.3
+                         _  _
          Owners' equivalent rent 3/ ...........   164.8   165.3   165.6   166.2     2.2     2.7     3.2     3.4      2.5       3.3
+                                 _
          Household insurance 3/ 4/ ............   149.0   149.4   149.6   149.7     3.6    -1.6     3.0     1.9      1.0       2.4
+                             _  _
        Maintenance and repairs 1/ 4/ ..........   141.0   141.7   141.7   143.6     1.8     4.7     2.6     7.6      3.2       5.1
+                               _  _
          Maintenance and repair services 1/ 4/    150.9   151.9   152.0   155.9     3.6     1.3     2.4    13.9      2.4       8.0
+                                         _  _
          Maintenance and repair
              commodities 1/ 4/ ................   128.2   128.6   128.6   128.3      .0     8.3     2.9      .3      4.0       1.6
+                         _  _
      Fuel and other utilities 2/...............   129.7   129.0   129.8   130.1     4.8     7.4    -3.3     1.2      6.1      -1.1
+                              _
        Fuels ..................................   115.9   114.6   115.6   115.6     6.1    10.5    -7.2    -1.0      8.3      -4.2
          Fuel oil and other household fuel
              commodities ......................   100.0    99.6    98.9    97.1    45.5    17.2   -27.0   -11.1     30.5     -19.5
          Gas (piped) and electricity (energy
              services).........................   123.2   121.7   122.9   123.1     2.7    10.2    -5.0     -.3      6.4      -2.7
        Other utilities and public services 4/ .   161.3   161.5   162.1   163.0     3.9     3.0     1.8     4.3      3.4       3.0
+                                           _
      Household furnishings and operation 2/ ...   123.6   124.2   124.1   124.0     1.0      .3      .3     1.3       .7        .8
+                                         _
        Housefurnishings 4/ ....................   109.4   110.2   110.0   109.5      .4     -.4    -1.1      .4       .0       -.4
+                        _
        Housekeeping supplies ..................   143.8   143.7   143.6   144.4     1.1     2.6     2.5     1.7      1.8       2.1
        Housekeeping services 4/ ...............   153.7   153.9   154.6   154.9     3.2      .0     3.2     3.2      1.6       3.2
+                             _
 
    Apparel and upkeep .........................   132.7   132.9   132.5   132.8    -1.2     3.1     4.3      .3       .9       2.3
      Apparel commodities 4/ ...................   129.4   129.6   129.2   129.4    -1.6     3.2     4.4      .0       .8       2.2
+                         _
        Men's and boys' apparel ................   130.1   130.1   129.4   130.4      .3     6.1     2.8      .9      3.2       1.9
        Women's and girls' apparel .............   125.9   126.7   126.7   126.2    -3.5     7.4     4.6     1.0      1.8       2.7
        Infants' and toddlers' apparel 1/ ......   134.9   134.9   133.8   132.0     6.8    -1.2    21.5    -8.3      2.7       5.5
+                                      _
        Footwear ...............................   128.6   128.2   127.0   128.1     -.6     -.9     3.2    -1.5      -.8        .8
        Other apparel commodities 4/............   146.9   145.8   146.2   147.1    -1.3   -11.2     1.7      .5     -6.4       1.1
+                                 _
      Apparel services 1/ 4/ ...................   161.7   161.9   162.2   162.6     1.0     2.8     2.3     2.2      1.9       2.3
+                      _  _
 
    Transportation .............................   144.2   142.8   142.3   142.4     3.1     4.0    -2.7    -4.9      3.5      -3.8
      Private transportation ...................   141.9   140.5   140.1   140.0     2.3     4.3    -3.0    -5.2      3.3      -4.2
        New vehicles ...........................   146.0   145.6   145.6   145.7     1.9      .0      .8     -.8      1.0        .0
          New cars .............................   141.7   141.5   141.3   141.4     2.0     -.8      .3     -.8       .6       -.3
        Used cars ..............................   156.5   155.1   152.5   150.6      .3    -2.5      .3   -14.2     -1.1      -7.3
        Motor fuel .............................   106.5   102.5   101.6   101.2     2.7    21.8   -18.5   -18.5     11.8     -18.5
          Gasoline .............................   106.1   101.8   101.0   100.6     2.3    21.9   -18.3   -19.2     11.7     -18.7
        Maintenance and repairs ................   162.8   163.2   163.8   164.3     4.9     2.8     1.5     3.7      3.8       2.6
        Other private transportation 4/.........   172.6   172.5   172.8   173.6     2.9      .0     3.6     2.3      1.4       2.9
+                                    _
          Other private transportation
              commodities 4/....................   103.7   103.9   104.0   104.6      .4    -1.1     -.8     3.5      -.4       1.4
+                         _
          Other private transportation
              services 4/ ......................   190.1   189.9   190.2   191.1     3.3      .2     4.3     2.1      1.7       3.2
+                      _
      Public transportation ....................   185.1   184.9   183.6   185.3    11.8    -1.7     2.4      .4      4.8       1.4
 
    Medical care ...............................   233.0   233.7   234.1   234.3     2.7     2.6     3.2     2.3      2.6       2.7
      Medical care commodities .................   212.1   213.1   213.1   213.0     3.1      .4     3.9     1.7      1.7       2.8
      Medical care services ....................   237.6   238.2   238.7   238.9     2.6     3.3     2.9     2.2      2.9       2.6
        Professional medical services ..........   215.7   216.3   216.8   217.0     3.9     3.6     4.2     2.4      3.8       3.3
    Entertainment 4/ ...........................   159.3   159.4   160.2   160.3     2.3     2.3     1.3     2.5      2.3       1.9
+                 _
      Entertainment commodities 4/ .............   142.5   142.5   142.7   142.7     2.0      .8    -1.1      .6      1.4       -.3
+                               _
      Entertainment services 4/ ................   183.3   183.6   185.1   185.4     2.7     3.4     4.3     4.7      3.0       4.5
+                            _
 
    Other goods and services 2/.................   220.8   221.1   221.0   221.6     3.2     4.0     7.6     1.5      3.6       4.5
+                            _
      Tobacco and smoking products .............   243.7   242.4   240.1   241.2     3.5     2.2    13.5    -4.0      2.9       4.4
      Personal care 1/ .........................   152.6   152.6   152.7   152.4     2.4     1.9     2.7     -.5      2.1       1.1
+                   _
        Toilet goods and personal care
            appliances 1/ ......................   145.4   145.0   145.0   144.6     1.1    -2.7     2.8    -2.2      -.8        .3
+                      _
        Personal care services 1/ ..............   162.1   162.4   162.7   162.6     4.7     7.3     3.3     1.2      6.0       2.3
+                              _
      Personal and educational expenses 4/ .....   252.6   254.1   255.2   256.0     3.5     5.6     5.6     5.5      4.6       5.5
+                                       _
        School books and supplies ..............   236.9   238.5   241.1   242.1     8.7     3.1     5.1     9.1      5.9       7.0
        Personal and educational services 4/ ...   254.1   255.5   256.6   257.3     3.1     5.8     5.7     5.1      4.5       5.4
+                                         _
 
           Commodity and service group
 
  All items ....................................    -       -       -       -        3.1     2.9     1.0     1.3      3.0       1.2
    Commodities ................................   141.7   141.4   141.2   141.3     3.2     2.6     -.6    -1.1      2.9       -.8
      Food and beverages .......................   156.1   156.7   157.0   157.5     5.3     1.0      .3     3.6      3.1       1.9
      Commodities less food and beverages ......   132.8   132.1   131.6   131.4     1.8     3.7    -1.5    -4.2      2.8      -2.8
        Nondurables less food and beverages ....   134.7   133.7   133.2   133.3     1.8     6.1    -2.1    -4.1      4.0      -3.1
          Apparel commodities 4/ ...............   129.4   129.6   129.2   129.4    -1.6     3.2     4.4      .0       .8       2.2
+                             _
          Nondurables less food, beverages,
              and apparel ......................   140.7   138.9   138.0   137.7     3.5     9.5    -4.2    -8.3      6.5      -6.2
        Durables ...............................   129.0   129.1   128.5   128.1      .9     -.3     -.9    -2.8       .3      -1.8
    Services ...................................   175.5   175.8   176.3   176.8     2.8     3.3     2.8     3.0      3.1       2.9
      Rent of shelter 3/ .......................   163.7   164.2   164.7   165.0     2.3     3.3     3.0     3.2      2.8       3.1
+                     _
      Household services less rent
          of shelter 3/ 4/......................   133.2   132.8   133.6   134.0     3.1     5.3     -.9     2.4      4.2        .8
+                    _  _
      Transportation services ..................   182.4   182.3   182.4   183.4     5.0      .2     3.6     2.2      2.6       2.9
      Medical care services ....................   237.6   238.2   238.7   238.9     2.6     3.3     2.9     2.2      2.9       2.6
      Other services ...........................   205.3   206.1   207.2   207.6     2.8     5.1     4.6     4.6      4.0       4.6
 
                 Special indexes
 
  All items less food ..........................   157.0   156.9   157.0   157.2     2.6     3.4     1.3      .5      3.0        .9
  All items less shelter .......................   153.6   153.4   153.5   153.7     3.5     2.9      .3      .3      3.2        .3
  All items less homeowners' costs 3/ 4/........   147.4   147.3   147.4   147.6     3.4     2.8      .8      .5      3.1        .7
+                                  _  _
  All items less medical care ..................   153.4   153.3   153.5   153.7     3.2     2.9     1.0      .8      3.1        .9
  Commodities less food ........................   134.2   133.5   133.0   132.9     1.8     3.6    -1.2    -3.8      2.7      -2.5
  Nondurables less food ........................   136.0   135.1   134.7   134.9     2.7     5.7    -2.6    -3.2      4.2      -2.9
  Nondurables less food and apparel ............   141.3   139.6   139.2   139.3     4.4     6.7    -4.1    -5.5      5.5      -4.8
  Nondurables ..................................   145.6   145.2   145.2   145.6     3.4     3.9    -1.1      .0      3.7       -.5
  Services less rent of shelter 3/ .............   166.7   166.8   167.3   167.8     3.5     3.2     2.4     2.7      3.3       2.6
+                               _
  Services less medical care services ..........   170.1   170.4   171.0   171.6     2.7     3.4     2.4     3.6      3.0       3.0
  Energy .......................................   110.7   108.0   108.0   107.8     4.1    16.1   -12.9   -10.1      9.9     -11.5
  All items less energy ........................   163.6   163.9   164.1   164.4     3.0     1.7     2.5     2.0      2.4       2.2
    All items less food and energy .............   165.8   166.1   166.2   166.5     2.2     2.2     2.9     1.7      2.2       2.3
      Commodities less food and energy
          commodities ..........................   142.4   142.4   142.0   142.0     1.1      .9     2.3    -1.1      1.0        .6
        Energy commodities .....................   106.2   102.5   101.6   101.1     5.8    21.4   -19.2   -17.9     13.3     -18.5
      Services less energy services ............   181.5   181.9   182.4   182.9     3.0     2.7     3.4     3.1      2.8       3.2
 
+
 
     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                                       July 1997 from-         June 1997 from-
                                           schedule    Apr.     May    June    July    July     May    June    June    Apr.     May
                                              1/       1997    1997    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997    1996    1997    1997
+                                             _
 
 
 
 U.S. city average ......................      M        157.2   157.2   157.4   157.5     2.1     0.2     0.1     2.1     0.1     0.1
 
         Region and area size 2/
+                             _
 
 Northeast urban.........................      M        164.4   164.1   164.3   164.7     2.4      .4      .2     2.3     -.1      .1
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        163.9   163.8   164.0   164.3     2.4      .3      .2     2.2      .1      .1
   Size B -  500,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        163.1   162.3   162.8   163.5     2.4      .7      .4     2.6     -.2      .3
+                                 _
   Size C -  50,000 to 500,000 3/........      M        167.0   166.9   167.1   167.5     2.8      .4      .2     2.8      .1      .1
+                              _
 
 North Central urban ....................      M        152.6   152.8   153.1   153.1     2.2      .2      .0     2.4      .3      .2
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        152.6   152.7   152.9   152.9     2.1      .1      .0     2.2      .2      .1
   Size B -  360,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        150.8   151.5   151.7   151.9     2.4      .3      .1     2.5      .6      .1
+                                 _
   Size C -  50,000 to 360,000 3/........      M        155.4   155.6   156.0   155.7     2.5      .1     -.2     3.0      .4      .3
+                              _
   Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
             (less than 50,000) .........      M        150.0   150.2   150.8   150.7     1.5      .3     -.1     1.9      .5      .4
 
 South urban ............................      M        155.1   155.1   155.4   155.3     1.8      .1     -.1     1.8      .2      .2
   Size A -  More than 1,200,000 ........      M        153.6   153.6   153.9   153.9     1.5      .2      .0     1.5      .2      .2
   Size B -  450,000 to 1,200,000 3/.....      M        155.8   155.7   156.1   156.2     2.2      .3      .1     2.3      .2      .3
+                                 _
   Size C -  50,000 to 450,000 3/........      M        155.8   156.0   156.2   155.7     1.4     -.2     -.3     1.6      .3      .1
+                              _
   Size D -  Nonmetropolitan
             (less than 50,000) .........      M        156.3   156.3   156.5   156.6     2.5      .2      .1     1.9      .1      .1
 
 West urban .............................      M        157.8   157.8   157.5   157.6     1.7     -.1      .1     1.9     -.2     -.2
   Size A -  More than 1,250,000 ........      M        156.2   156.1   156.0   156.2     1.8      .1      .1     2.0     -.1     -.1
   Size C -  50,000 to 330,000 3/........      M        163.3   163.2   162.7   162.9     2.3     -.2      .1     2.2     -.4     -.3
+                              _
 
 Size classes
   A 4/ .................................      M        143.4   143.3   143.5   143.6     2.0      .2      .1     2.1      .1      .1
+    _
   B 3/ .................................      M        157.3   157.3   157.6   157.8     2.2      .3      .1     2.3      .2      .2
+    _
   C 3/ .................................      M        159.0   159.1   159.2   159.1     2.1      .0     -.1     2.2      .1      .1
+    _
   D ....................................      M        155.6   155.6   155.7   155.8     1.8      .1      .1     1.7      .1      .1
 
           Selected local areas
 
 Chicago-Gary-Lake County, IL-IN-WI......      M        155.3   155.5   156.0   156.0     2.2      .3      .0     2.2      .5      .3
 Los Angeles-Anaheim-Riverside, CA ......      M        154.3   154.0   153.8   153.8     1.0     -.1      .0     1.5     -.3     -.1
 N.Y.-Northern N.J.-Long Island, NY-NJ-CT      M        166.1   166.0   166.2   166.6     2.3      .4      .2     2.1      .1      .1
 Phil.-Wilmington-Trenton,
 PA-NJ-DE-MD 5/ .........................      M        165.1   165.2   165.3   165.5     2.1      .2      .1     2.2      .1      .1
+            _
 San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, CA 5/ ..      M        156.7   156.8   157.0   157.5     2.7      .4      .3     2.7      .2      .1
+                                   _
 
 Baltimore, MD 6/ .......................      1         -      154.3    -      155.6      .6      .8    -       -       -       -
+              _
 Boston-Lawrence-Salem, MA-NH ...........      1         -      165.6    -      165.8     3.0      .1    -       -       -       -
 Cleveland-Akron-Lorain, OH .............      1         -      147.8    -      148.2     2.7      .3    -       -       -       -
 Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL ..............      1         -      155.6    -      155.5     3.1     -.1    -       -       -       -
 St. Louis-East St. Louis, MO-IL 7/ .....      1         -      151.2    -      152.5     2.3      .9    -       -       -       -
+                                _
 Washington, DC-MD-VA 6/ ................      1         -      159.7    -      160.2     1.6      .3    -       -       -       -
+                     _
 
 Dallas-Fort Worth, TX ..................      2        150.4    -      151.4    -       -       -       -        1.2      .7    -
 Detroit-Ann Arbor, MI ..................      2        151.0    -      149.8    -       -       -       -        1.8     -.8    -
 Houston-Galveston-Brazoria, TX .........      2        144.1    -      144.1    -       -       -       -        1.3      .0    -
 Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley, PA 7/ ........      2        150.1    -      150.8    -       -       -       -        2.7      .5    -
+                             _
 
+
 
    1/     Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all areas; most other goods and services priced as
+   _
           indicated:
             M - Every month.
             1 - January, March, May, July, September, and November.
             2 - February, April, June, August, October, and December.
    2/     Regions defined as the four Census regions.  See map in technical notes.
+   _
    3/     Starting in January, 1998, a new Size Class B/C will be introduced, composed of current
+   _
           Size Class B and Size Class C cities.  There will be no individual Size Class B or Size Class C.
    4/     Indexes on a December 1986=100 base.
+   _
    5/     Indexes for the cities of Philadelphia and San Francisco will no longer be published on a monthly
+   _
           basis starting in January, 1998.  Beginning in February, 1998 they will be published on a
           bi-monthly basis.
    6/     Indexes for the cities of Washington and Baltimore will no longer be published separately after December, 1997.
+   _
           Beginning in January, 1998 the two cities will be published as a Washington-Baltimore
           combined metropolitan area.
    7/     Indexes for the cities of Pittsburgh and St. Louis will no longer be published on a bi-monthly
+   _
           basis after December, 1997.  Beginning in July, 1998 they will be published semi-annually, each
           January and July.
    -      Data not available.
    NOTE:  Local area CPI indexes are byproducts of the national CPI program.  Each local index has a smaller sample size than
           the national index and is, therefore, subject to substantially more sampling and other measurement error.  As a
           result, local area indexes show greater volatility than the national index, although their long-term trends are
           similar.  Therefore, the Bureau of Labor Statistics strongly urges users to consider adopting the national average
           CPI for use in their escalator clauses.