TEXT
Table 1.  Producer Price Indexes and percent changes by stage of processing
Table 2.  Producer Price Indexes and percent changes for selected commodity groupings by stage of processing
Table 2.  Producer Price Indexes and percent changes for selected commodity groupings by stage of processing - Continued
Table 3.  Producer Price Indexes for selected commodity groupings
Table #4       Producer price indexes for the net output of major industry groups, not seasonally adjusted

 
FOR DATA ONLY:  (202) 606-7828     USDL 96-141
FOR TECHNICAL INFORMATION:         TRANSMISSION OF MATERIAL IN
(202) 606-7705                     THIS RELEASE IS EMBARGOED
MEDIA CONTACT:  (202) 606-5902     UNTIL 8:30 A.M. (E.D.T),
                                   THURSDAY,
                                   APRIL 11, 1996
 
                    PRODUCER PRICE INDEXES - MARCH 1996
 
     The Producer Price Index for Finished Goods advanced 0.5 percent in
March, seasonally adjusted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U. S.
Department of Labor reported today.  This followed a 0.2 percent decline in
February and a rise of 0.3 percent in January.  Prices received by domestic
producers of intermediate goods moved up 0.2 percent in March, after
falling 0.4 percent in the previous month.  The Crude Goods Price Index
increased 1.6 percent after declining 0.7 percent in February.  (See table
A.)
 
     Among finished goods in March, prices for both energy goods and foods
turned up after falling in February.  The index for finished goods other
than foods and energy inched up 0.1 percent for the second consecutive
month.
 
Table A.  Monthly and annual percent changes in selected stage-of-
processing price
indexes, seasonally adjusted
                     Finish
                         ed
                      goods
 
                                     Change in
                            Except   finished   Inter-
                                       goods
                             foods    from 12   mediateCrude
                              and     months
Month  Total  Foods  Energy energy      ago      goods goods
                                     (unadj.)
 1995
 Mar.     0.1    0.0   -0.1     0.2         1.8    0.4   -0.8
 Apr.     0.2    0.2    0.5     0.2         2.1    0.6    1.8
 May      0.2   -0.5    1.0     0.2         2.2    0.2   -0.8
 June    -0.2   -0.3   -1.1     0.1         2.1    0.1    0.9
 July       0    0.9   -1.9     0.2         1.7    0.1   -0.7
 Aug.     0.1    0.1   -0.3     0.1         1.3    0.1   -1.4
Sept.     0.3    1.2   -0.5     0.2         1.8   -0.2    1.9
 Oct.     0.2   -0.1   -0.1     0.3         2.3      0    0.1
 Nov.    r0.3   r1.1   -1.0    r0.4        r2.1   -0.1   r1.6
 Dec.    r0.5   r0.1    3.7    r0.1         2.2    0.2   r0.2
 
 1996
 Jan.     0.3   -0.2    2.7    -0.1         2.3    0.1    2.1
 Feb.    -0.2   -0.3   -0.7     0.1         2.0   -0.4   -0.7
 Mar.     0.5    0.6    2.4     0.1         2.4    0.2    1.6
r=revised.  Some percent changes shown here and elsewhere in this release
may differ from those previously
reported because indexes for November 1995 have been recalculated to
                                    -2-
 
incorporate late reports and corrections
by respondents.  All indexes are subject to revision 4 months after
original publication.
     During the first quarter of 1996, the Finished Goods Price Index moved
up at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 2.8 percent, following a 4.1
percent rate of increase during the fourth quarter of 1995.  The index for
finished energy goods advanced at an 18.4 percent annual rate from December
1995 to March 1996 after rising at a 10.3 percent annual rate over the last
3 months of 1995.  The index for finished consumer foods inched up at a 0.3
percent annual rate from December to March after advancing at a 4.4 percent
rate during the fourth quarter of 1995.  The rate of increase for the
finished goods index less foods and energy was 0.6 percent in the first
quarter of 1996 compared with 2.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 1995.
Prices for capital equipment were unchanged after rising in the previous
quarter, prices for consumer nondurables less foods rose somewhat more
rapidly than in the final quarter of 1995, while prices for consumer
durables turned down slightly after rising in the previous quarter.
 
     Before seasonal adjustment, the Producer Price Index for Finished
Goods increased 0.6 percent in March to 130.2 (1982 =100).  From March 1995
to March 1996, the Finished Goods Price Index rose 2.4 percent.  During
this same period, consumer food prices increased 2.6 percent, the index for
finished energy goods advanced 4.3 percent, and prices for finished goods
less foods and energy were up 1.9 percent.  Prices received by domestic
producers of intermediate goods increased 0.7 percent during the 12 months
ended in March 1996, and crude material prices rose 6.6 percent over the
same period.
 
Table B.  Monthly and annual percent changes in selected price indexes for
intermediate goods and crude goods, seasonally adjusted
              Interm                           Crude
              ediate                           goods
              goods
                            Change in                        Change in
                            intermedi                          crude
                               ate
                     Exclud   goods                  Excludi   goods
                      ing      from                    ng
                     foods  12 months         Energy  foods   from 12
                      and      ago                     and   months ago
Month  Foods  Energy energy  (unadj.)   Foods (unadj energy   (unadj.)
                                                .)
 1995
 Mar.     0.4    0.1    0.4        6.2   -1.9   -0.7    0.9     -1.7
 Apr.    -0.6    0.5    0.6        6.7   -0.1    4.2    1.2     -0.5
 May     -0.9    0.8    0.3        6.9   -2.1    0.6   -0.3     -0.2
 June       1     -1    0.1        6.4    3.2   -1.2    0.1     0.2
 July     1.5   -1.5    0.3        6.1    3.7   -4.6   -1.8     -0.1
 Aug.     1.1   -0.5    0.1        5.4    0.4   -3.8   -1.2     -1.4
Sept.       1   -1.4      0        4.8    3.5    2.7   -1.7     2.8
 Oct.     2.9    0.5   -0.2        4.5    2.4   -0.7   -2.4     3.6
 Nov.    r2.1   r0.2  r-0.3        3.5   r2.8    2.1  r-1.7     r4.7
 Dec.    r1.4   r2.8  r-0.3        3.3  r-0.5    2.3  r-1.3     4.1
 
 1996
 Jan.     0.2    2.9   -0.3        2.2   -0.4    7.3      0     5.5
                                    -3-
 
 Feb.    -0.5   -1.3   -0.2        1.1   -0.5   -1.1   -0.5     4.2
 Mar.     0.2    2.1   -0.2        0.7    0.1    5.9   -1.8     6.6
 r=revised.  Some percent changes shown here and elsewhere in this release
may differ from those previously reported because
indexes for November 1995 have been recalculated to incorporate late
reports and corrections by respondents.  All indexes are
subject to revision 4 months after original publication.
 
Finished goods
 
     The Producer Price Index for finished energy goods increased 2.4
percent in March following a decrease of 0.7 percent in February.  Prices
for gasoline rose 7.1 percent in March following a 4.2 percent decline in
February.  Prices for residential power also turned up after falling a
month earlier.  Price increases for home heating oil accelerated from 0.6
percent in February to 10.5 percent in March.  By contrast, prices for
residential natural gas increased 1.4 percent after rising 1.9 percent in
the previous month.  The index for finished lubricants edged down after
advancing in the previous month.
 
     Prices for finished consumer foods increased 0.6 percent in March
after decreasing 0.3 percent in February.  The March rise was led by a
large increase of 43.1 percent in fresh and dry vegetables prices; those
prices declined 5.1 percent in the prior month.  Prices for finfish and
shellfish, eggs for fresh use, soft drinks, dairy products, and processed
turkeys also rose after falling in February.  The index for pasta products
moved up after showing no change in the previous month.  By contrast, beef
and veal prices fell 5.1 percent in March following a 1.4 percent decline
in February.  The indexes for processed young chickens and milled rice also
fell more than in February.  The indexes for fresh fruits and melons and
bakery products fell after rising in February.  Price increases for pork
slowed from February to March.
 
     In March, the index for consumer goods less foods and energy moved up
0.1 percent, the same as in February.  This index increased at a seasonally
adjusted annual rate of 0.6 percent from December 1995 to March 1996 after
rising at a rate of 3.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 1995.  In March,
increases were registered for alcoholic beverages, home electronic
equipment, footwear, floor coverings, passenger cars, and light trucks.
These advances more than offset declines for sanitary papers and health
products, girls' apparel, household flatware, toys, and tires and tubes.
 
 
     In March, the capital equipment index turned down 0.1 percent after
rising 0.1 percent in February.  The index for commercial furniture
declined 0.5 percent after rising 0.4 percent in the previous month.
Prices for communication and related equipment and for office and store
machines and equipment also turned down after rising a month ago.  The
index for electronic computers fell more than in February.  Prices for
agricultural machinery and equipment rose less than a month earlier, and
the index for construction machinery and equipment remained unchanged after
rising in February.  By contrast, the index for light motor trucks turned
up 0.4 percent after declining 0.3 percent in the previous month.  Prices
for civilian aircraft remained unchanged after a slight February decline.
 
                                    -4-
 
Intermediate goods
 
     The Producer Price Index for Intermediate Materials, Supplies, and
Components increased 0.2 percent in March, seasonally adjusted, following a
decline of 0.4 percent a month earlier.  During the first quarter, this
index fell at a 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted annual rate after
increasing at a 0.3 percent rate in the fourth quarter of 1995.  In March,
prices for energy goods, construction materials, and for foods and feeds
turned up after falling in the previous month.  The index for durable
manufacturing materials fell less than in February.  By contrast, the index
for nondurable manufacturing materials decreased more than a month earlier.
Excluding food and energy prices, this index fell 0.2 percent, the sixth
straight monthly decline.  (See table B.)
 
     The index for intermediate energy goods turned up 2.1 percent after
falling 1.3 percent in February.  These prices rose at a 15.9 percent
seasonally adjusted annual rate over the previous three months after
increasing at a 14.9 percent rate from September to December.  In March,
the index for gasoline turned up 7.1 percent after falling 4.2 percent in
the previous month.  Prices for jet fuels, residual fuel, diesel fuel,
commercial electric power, and industrial electric power also increased
after declining a month earlier.  In addition, the index for commercial
natural gas rose more than in February.  The index for liquefied petroleum
gas, however, turned down 2.8 percent after rising 6.5 percent a month ago.
 
     The index for durable manufacturing materials fell 0.2 percent after
decreasing 0.8 percent a month earlier.  Durable manufacturing material
prices fell at a 7.0 percent seasonally adjusted annual rate from December
to March, slightly less than the 7.7 percent rate of decline in the fourth
quarter of 1995.  In March, the index for aluminum mill shapes turned up
0.3 percent after falling 2.0 percent a month earlier.  Prices for copper
and brass mill shapes, copper, and prepared paint also rose after declining
in the previous month.  The index for cold rolled steel sheet and strip
fell less than in February.  By contrast, the index for hot rolled steel
bars turned down 1.4 percent after rising 0.1 percent a month ago.  Prices
for flat glass and cement also declined after increasing in the previous
month.  The index for plywood fell after remaining unchanged a month
earlier.
 
     The index for intermediate foods and feeds rose 0.2 percent in March
after declining 0.5 percent a month earlier.  This index declined at a 0.3
percent seasonally adjusted annual rate during the first quarter after
increasing at a 28.6 percent rate in the fourth quarter of 1995.  In March,
the index for prepared animal feeds turned up 1.5 percent following a
decline of 0.2 percent in the previous month.  Prices for fluid milk
products and refined sugar also increased after falling a month ago.  The
index for liquid milk products fell less than in February.  Conversely, the
index for flour turned down 1.0 percent in March after surging 5.8 percent
in the previous month.  Prices for beef and veal and crude vegetable oils
fell more than a month earlier.  In addition, the index for pork rose less
than in the previous month.
 
     The index for construction materials rose 0.2 percent after remaining
unchanged in February.  From December to March, prices for construction
                                    -5-
 
materials fell at a 0.6 percent seasonally adjusted annual rate after
declining at a 3.0 percent rate from September to December.  In March, the
rise in the index for softwood lumber accelerated to 2.4 percent from 0.6
percent in the previous month.  Prices for concrete products also rose more
than a month earlier.  Indexes for nonferrous wire and cable, wiring
devices, and for air conditioning and refrigeration equipment turned up
after falling a month ago.  On the other hand, the index for plastic
construction products turned down 0.9 percent after rising the same amount
in the previous month.  Prices for plywood fell after remaining unchanged
in February, and the index for gypsum products decreased more than a month
earlier.
 
     The index for nondurable manufacturing materials fell 0.8 percent in
March after a 0.6 percent decline in the previous month.  This index fell
at a 7.8 percent seasonally adjusted annual rate from December to March
after decreasing at an 8.5 percent rate in the preceding three months.  In
March, the index for miscellaneous basic organic chemicals turned down 0.6
percent after increasing 1.5 percent in February.  Prices for alkalies and
chlorine also fell after rising in the previous month.  The index for paper
fell more than a month ago, and prices for phosphates rose less than in the
prior month.  The decline in the index for plastic resins and materials,
however, slowed to 0.2 percent from 1.4 percent in February.  Prices for
medicinal and botanical chemicals and for both primary and intermediate
basic organic chemicals turned up after falling a month earlier.
Crude goods
 
     The Producer Price Index for Crude Materials for Further Processing
increased 1.6 percent, seasonally adjusted, in March, after falling 0.7
percent last month.  In the first quarter of 1996, this index rose at a
seasonally adjusted annual rate of 12.8 percent, after increasing at a rate
of 7.6 percent in the last quarter of 1995.  In March, prices for both
crude energy materials and crude foodstuffs and feedstuffs turned up after
declining in the prior month.  By contrast, the basic industrial materials
index fell more rapidly than in February.  (See table B.)
 
     The index for crude energy materials turned up 5.9 percent in March
after declining 1.1 percent in the previous month.  This index increased at
an annual rate of 59.9 percent from December 1995 to March 1996, following
a 15.7 percent rate of increase in the previous quarter.  In March, prices
for crude petroleum rose 8.5 percent after declining 5.2 percent in the
prior month.  The increase in natural gas to pipelines prices accelerated
to 5.9 percent in March from 0.5 percent in the previous month.  Price
increases for coal slowed in March.
 
     After declining 0.5 percent in February, prices for crude foodstuffs
and feedstuffs increased 0.1 percent, seasonally adjusted, in March.  This
index fell at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.4 percent in the first
quarter, after an increase of 20.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 1995.
In March, prices for fresh vegetables, except potatoes rose 69.6 percent
after a 10.8 percent drop in February.  The index for slaughter hogs also
advanced after declining a month earlier.  The index for slaughter broilers
fell less than in the prior month.  By contrast, prices for fluid milk fell
0.6 percent in March after rising 1.9 percent in the previous month.  The
indexes for Irish potatoes for processing and slaughter turkeys also
declined after rising in February.  Prices increases for wheat slowed in
                                    -6-
 
March.
 
     The index for crude nonfood materials less energy fell 1.8 percent,
seasonally adjusted, in March, following a 0.5 percent decline in February.
Following a 19.6 percent decline in the fourth quarter of 1995, this index
fell at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 8.8 percent in the first
quarter of 1996.  Prices for leaf tobacco declined 15.7 percent in March,
after an increase of 11.1 percent in February.  Indexes for iron and steel
scrap, wastepaper, and gold ores also turned down after rising in the
previous month.  Prices for raw cotton fell more rapidly than in February.
By contrast, prices for copper ores turned up 1.9 percent following an 8.7
percent decline a month ago.  The indexes for aluminum base scrap; softwood
logs, bolts, and timber; and copper base scrap also rose after falling in
February.
 
Net output price indexes for mining, manufacturing, and other industries
 
Mining.  The Producer Price Index for the net output of total domestic
mining industries increased 4.1 percent in March after declining 0.4
percent in February.  (Net output price indexes are not seasonally
adjusted.)  This index advanced at an annual rate of 47.6 percent in the
first quarter of 1996 after rising at a 16.7 percent annual rate from
September to December.  In March, prices turned up 5.5 percent after
falling 0.8 percent a month earlier for the oil and gas extraction industry
group index.  The index for metal mining inched up after falling in each of
the 3 previous months.  By contrast, price increases for nonmetallic
minerals mining slowed from 1.0 percent in February to 0.3 percent in
March.  Price increases also slowed for the bituminous coal and lignite
mining industry group.  In March, the Producer Price Index for total mining
stood at 78.7 (December 1984=100), 11.3 percent higher than a year earlier.
 
Manufacturing.  The Producer Price Index for total domestic manufacturing
industries moved up 0.3 percent in March, after edging down 0.1 percent in
February.  This index rose at an annual rate of 2.6 percent from December
to March, after rising at a 3.3 percent rate in the final quarter of 1995.
In March, the index for the petroleum refining industry group advanced 6.2
percent  following a 3.1-percent decline in the previous month.  Prices
also turned up after falling a month earlier for the industry groups for
leather and leather products, nonmetallic mineral products, and fabricated
metal products.  Prices continued to rise modestly for the industry groups
for textile mill products and transportation equipment.  By contrast,
prices turned down after rising or showing no change in February for the
industry groups for electrical machinery, measuring instruments, rubber and
plastic products, furniture and fixtures, and for food and kindred
products.  In March, the index for total manufacturing was 126.1 (December
1984=100), 2.2 percent higher than a year earlier.
 
Other.  Among other industries, prices turned up after falling a month
earlier for the industry groups for trucking except local, marine cargo
handling, tugging and towing services, nonscheduled air transportation,
airports and airport services, freight transportation arrangement, radio
broadcasting, electric power utilities, nonferrous metal scrap collection,
and advertising agencies.  Prices fell less in March than in February for
farm products warehousing and storage; water transportation of freight, not
elsewhere classified; and for collection of materials other than metal and
                                    -7-
 
paper.  Prices increased in March after showing no change a month earlier
for offices and clinics of doctors of medicine.
 
     By contrast, prices for waste paper collection decreased 9.0 percent,
following a 0.3-percent decline in February.  In March, price decreases
were also larger than in February for scheduled air cargo transportation,
operators of nonresidential buildings, and for medical laboratories.
Prices turned down in March after rising or showing no change in February
for local trucking without storage, deep sea domestic transportation of
freight, refined petroleum pipe lines, telephone communications, real
estate agents and managers, help supply services, and for truck rental and
leasing.  Prices were unchanged after rising in the previous month for
courier services, except by air, and for cable and other pay television
services.
 
 
                                   *****
             Producer Price Index data for April 1996 will be
             released on Friday, May 10, at 8:30 a.m. (E.D.T.)
                                   *****
Information in this news release will be made available to sensory impaired
individuals upon request.  Voice phone: 202-606-7828; TDD phone: 202-606-
5897; TDD Message Referral phone: 1-800-326-2577.
 
Table 1.  Producer Price Indexes and percent changes by stage of processing
(1982=100)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
                                                 |          |                       |Unadjusted     |
                                                 |          |                       |  percent      |Seasonally adjusted
                                                 | Relative |    Unadjusted index   |change to      |percent change from:
                    Grouping                     |importance|                       |Mar. 1996 from:|
                                                 |          |_______________________|_______________|_______________________________
                                                 |   Dec.   |       |       |       |       |       |       |         |
                                                 |           Nov.   |Feb.   |Mar.   |  Mar. | Feb.  |Dec. to|Jan.  to |Feb.  to
                                                 |   1995 1/|1995 2/|1996 2/|1996 2/|  1995 | 1996  |  Jan. |   Feb.  |  Mar.
_________________________________________________|__________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_________|____________
                                                 |
Finished goods...................................|  100.000   128.7   129.4   130.2     2.4    0.6      0.3     -0.2     0.5
  Finished consumer goods........................|   75.339   126.2   127.1   128.1     2.7     .8       .4      -.2      .7
    Finished consumer foods......................|   23.353   131.1   130.8   132.0     2.6     .9      -.2      -.3      .6
      Crude......................................|    1.539   126.2   121.7   145.1    22.3   19.2      -.4     -1.7    19.1
      Processed..................................|   21.814   131.4   131.5   130.9     1.2    -.5      -.2      -.2     -.7
    Finished consumer goods, excluding foods.....|   51.986   123.9   125.3   126.2     2.7     .7       .6      -.1      .8
      Nondurable goods less foods................|   35.300   117.8   120.0   121.3     3.4    1.1      1.1      -.2     1.1
      Durable goods..............................|   16.686   134.7   134.3   134.3     1.4    0        -.4       .1      .1
  Capital equipment..............................|   24.661   138.3   138.4   138.3     1.5    -.1      -.1       .1     -.1
    Manufacturing industries.....................|    6.150   137.3   137.3   137.2     1.6    -.1       .1       .1     -.1
    Nonmanufacturing industries..................|   18.511   138.6   138.7   138.6     1.6    -.1      -.1       .1     0
                                                 |
Intermediate materials, supplies, and components.|  100.000   125.1   124.7   124.9      .7     .2       .1      -.4      .2
  Materials and components for manufacturing.....|   50.054   130.5   129.0   128.6    -1.0    -.3      -.5      -.3     -.4
    Materials for food manufacturing.............|    3.313   122.8   120.6   120.6     1.3    0       -1.7      -.4     -.5
    Materials for nondurable manufacturing.......|   16.248   134.9   132.4   131.4    -1.4    -.8      -.7      -.6     -.8
    Materials for durable manufacturing..........|   11.194   133.9   131.2   131.0    -4.1    -.2      -.9      -.8     -.2
    Components for manufacturing.................|   19.299   127.1   127.4   127.2      .9    -.2       .1       .2     -.2
  Materials and components for construction......|   12.546   142.3   141.8   142.1      .3     .2      -.4      0        .2
  Processed fuels and lubricants.................|   12.358    82.3    84.0    85.9     3.9    2.3      2.9     -1.3     2.2
    Manufacturing industries ....................|    4.913    84.7    86.8    88.7     3.0    2.2      2.5      -.8     1.9
    Nonmanufacturing industries..................|    7.445    80.7    82.2    84.2     4.6    2.4      3.4     -1.6     2.5
  Containers.....................................|    3.879   151.1   146.7   145.3     -.4   -1.0     -1.2     -1.3    -1.0
  Supplies.......................................|   21.163   134.3   135.3   135.6     3.8     .2       .4      0        .1
    Manufacturing industries.....................|    7.552   138.2   138.5   138.6     2.1     .1      0         .1      .1
    Nonmanufacturing industries..................|   13.611   132.2   133.7   134.0     4.9     .2       .5      -.1      .2
      Feeds......................................|    1.539   116.9   126.8   128.7    32.1    1.5      4.3      -.6     1.5
      Other supplies.............................|   12.072   134.4   134.7   134.7     2.0    0        0         .1     0
                                                 |
Crude materials for further processing...........|  100.000   103.8   106.9   109.1     6.6    2.1      2.1      -.7     1.6
  Foodstuffs and feedstuffs......................|   44.674   114.2   115.1   116.2    12.6    1.0      -.4      -.5      .1
  Nonfood materials..............................|   55.326    93.2    97.6   100.4     2.7    2.9      4.1      -.8     2.8
    Nonfood materials except fuel 3/.............|   39.157   100.1   102.4   104.5    -3.2    2.1      1.5     -1.4     1.9
      Manufacturing 3/...........................|   35.096    91.7    94.0    96.1    -3.3    2.2      1.5     -1.4     1.9
      Construction...............................|    4.061   196.7   197.7   198.3    -3.1     .3       .7     -1.1      .3
    Crude fuel 4/................................|   16.169    72.5    80.1    83.8    18.0    4.6     10.7       .5     4.6
      Manufacturing industries...................|    3.465    72.8    79.8    83.0    16.1    4.0      9.5       .6     4.0
      Nonmanufacturing industries................|   12.704    73.3    81.2    85.1    18.5    4.8     11.0       .5     4.8
                                                 |
               Special groupings                 |
                                                 |
Finished goods, excluding foods..................|5/ 76.647   127.9   128.9   129.6     2.4     .5       .4      -.1      .5
Intermediate materials less foods and feeds......|6/ 95.149   125.3   124.8   125.0      .4     .2       .1      -.3      .1
Intermediate foods and feeds.....................|6/  4.851   121.2   122.9   123.5     9.7     .5       .2      -.5      .2
Crude materials less agricultural products 3/ 7/.|8/ 52.717    91.9    96.4    99.6     3.6    3.3      4.5      -.9     3.3
                                                 |
Finished energy goods............................|5/ 13.449    75.2    78.0    80.1     4.3    2.7      2.7      -.7     2.4
Finished goods less energy.......................|5/ 86.551   138.7   138.8   139.1     2.1     .2      -.1      0        .2
Finished consumer goods less energy..............|5/ 61.890   138.8   138.9   139.4     2.3     .4      -.1      -.1      .4
                                                 |
Finished goods less foods and energy.............|5/ 63.198   141.6   141.9   141.9     1.9    0        -.1       .1      .1
Finished consumer goods less foods and energy....|5/ 38.537   143.7   144.0   144.2     2.2     .1      -.1       .1      .1
Consumer nondurable goods less foods and energy..|5/ 21.851   149.9   150.9   151.1     2.7     .1       .1       .1      .1
                                                 |
Intermediate energy goods........................|6/ 12.501    82.2    83.9    85.8     3.9    2.3      2.9     -1.3     2.1
Intermediate materials less energy...............|6/ 87.499   134.6   133.7   133.5      .3    -.1      -.3      -.2     -.2
Intermediate materials less foods and energy.....|6/ 82.648   135.4   134.4   134.2     -.1    -.1      -.3      -.2     -.2
                                                 |
Crude energy materials 3/........................|8/ 31.383    68.3    74.2    78.6    13.7    5.9      7.3     -1.1     5.9
Crude materials less energy......................|8/ 68.617   126.5   127.0   127.2     3.3     .2      -.2      -.6     -.6
Crude nonfood materials less energy 4/...........|8/ 23.943   162.2   161.6   159.4   -11.0   -1.4      0        -.5    -1.8
                                                 |
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
  1/  Comprehensive relative importance figures are initially computed          3/  Includes crude petrolem.
      after the publication of December indexes and are recalculated            4/  Excludes crude petroleum.
      after final December indexes are available.  The first-published          5/  Percent of total finished goods.
      and final December relative importances initially appear,                 6/  Pecent of total intermediate materials.
      respectively, in the release tables containing January and May data.      7/  Formerly titled "Crude materials for
  2/  The indexes for Nov.  1995 have been recalculated to incorporate              further processing, excluding crude
      late reports and corrections by respondents.  All indexes                     foodstuffs and feedstuffs, plant and
      are subject to revision four months after original publication.               animal fibers, oilseeds, and leaf tobacco."
                                                                                8/  Percent of total crude materials.
Table 2.  Producer Price Indexes and percent changes for selected commodity groupings by stage of processing
(1982=100 unless otherwise indicated)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
           |                                                       |                       |Unadjusted     |
           |                                                       |                       | percent       |Seasonally adjusted
           |                                                       |   Unadjusted index    |change to      |percent change from:
 Commodity |                                                       |                       |Mar. 1996 from:|
   code    |                      Grouping                         |_______________________|_______________|________________________
           |                                                       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
           |                                                       |Nov.   |Feb.   |Mar.   | Mar.  | Feb.  |Dec. to|Jan. to|Feb. to
           |                                                       |1995 1/|1996 1/|1996 1/| 1995  | 1996  |  Jan. |  Feb. |  Mar.
___________|_______________________________________________________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|________
           |                                                       |
           |FINISHED GOODS.........................................| 128.7   129.4   130.2     2.4    0.6      0.3    -0.2     0.5
           | FINISHED CONSUMER GOODS...............................| 126.2   127.1   128.1     2.7     .8       .4     -.2      .7
           |  FINISHED CONSUMER FOODS..............................| 131.1   130.8   132.0     2.6     .9      -.2     -.3      .6
           |                                                       |
01-11      |   Fresh fruits and melons 2/..........................|  89.1    85.5    83.4    10.5   -2.5     -3.1     2.9    -2.5
01-13      |   Fresh and dry vegetables 2/.........................| 126.6   138.8   198.6    26.6   43.1      6.1    -5.1    43.1
01-71-07   |   Eggs for fresh use (Dec. 1991=100) 2/...............| 110.6   101.3   110.4    36.8    9.0     -9.5    -1.0     9.0
02-11      |   Bakery products 2/..................................| 166.8   167.3   166.4     2.4    -.5       .2      .2     -.5
02-13      |   Milled rice 2/......................................| 130.4   126.1   124.5    25.6   -1.3     -3.1     -.7    -1.3
02-14-02   |   Pasta products (June 1985=100) 2/...................| 126.8   126.6   127.3     -.1     .6      -.1     0        .6
02-21-01   |   Beef and veal.......................................| 100.8    97.3    95.2   -11.3   -2.2     -3.0    -1.4    -5.1
02-21-04   |   Pork................................................| 102.3   107.7   109.5    12.1    1.7     -4.6     3.2     1.3
02-22-03   |   Processed young chickens............................| 120.4   115.3   110.9     2.5   -3.8     -2.0    -2.2    -5.4
02-22-06   |   Processed turkeys...................................| 112.1   104.3   105.4     4.8    1.1      1.0    -1.3      .2
02-23      |   Finfish and shellfish...............................| 179.4   169.3   171.2    -1.9    1.1      -.3    -3.7     1.6
02-3       |   Dairy products......................................| 125.0   122.9   123.4     4.3     .4       .3     -.2      .6
02-4       |   Processed fruits and vegetables 2/..................| 124.3   126.0   126.3     4.1     .2       .6      .2      .2
02-55      |   Confectionery end products 2/.......................| 162.5   165.3   165.7     4.4     .2       .3      .1      .2
02-62      |   Soft drinks.........................................| 133.8   134.7   134.5      .5    -.1      -.1    -1.2      .1
02-63-01   |   Roasted coffee......................................| 139.7   136.1   132.9   -10.6   -2.4     -2.1      .1      .1
02-76      |   Shortening and cooking oils 2/......................| 141.3   136.5   136.3    -6.0    -.1      -.8    -2.0     -.1
           |                                                       |
           |  FINISHED CONSUMER GOODS EXCLUDING FOODS..............| 123.9   125.3   126.2     2.7     .7       .6     -.1      .8
           |                                                       |
02-61      |   Alcoholic beverages.................................| 129.7   131.5   132.8     4.2    1.0      -.5      .8     1.1
03-81-01   |   Women's apparel 2/..................................| 118.2   119.9   120.0     -.2     .1      1.1     -.2      .1
03-81-02   |   Men's and boys' apparel.............................| 130.9   132.0   132.3     1.8     .2       .3      .4      .2
03-81-03   |   Girls', children's, and infants' apparel 2/.........| 122.8   123.6   121.8      .7   -1.5      -.1      .9    -1.5
03-82      |   Textile housefurnishings 2/.........................| 120.2   121.0   120.9     1.5    -.1      0        .2     -.1
04-3       |   Footwear............................................| 140.4   139.3   141.1     1.7    1.3      -.1    -1.3     1.4
05-41      |   Residential electric power (Dec. 1990=100)..........| 110.0   109.4   110.1      .5     .6      -.1     -.4      .4
05-51      |   Residential gas (Dec. 1990=100).....................| 100.8   108.2   109.1     3.4     .8      1.7     1.9     1.4
05-71      |   Gasoline............................................|  57.2    62.3    68.0    10.4    9.1     13.3    -4.2     7.1
05-73-02-01|   Fuel oil No. 2......................................|  59.6    61.1    65.9    22.0    7.9      1.7      .6    10.5
06-35      |   Pharmaceutical preps, ethical (Prescription)........| 261.6   262.0   263.1     3.9     .4       .9    -1.1      .6
06-36      |   Pharmaceutical preps,proprietary (Over-counter).....| 187.6   188.6   189.1     1.6     .3       .4      .3      .4
06-71      |   Soaps and synthetic detergents 2/...................| 123.8   124.9   125.2     1.8     .2      0       1.1      .2
06-75      |   Cosmetics and other toilet preparations 2/..........| 129.4   130.9   131.2     1.2     .2      1.2     -.2      .2
07-12      |   Tires, tubes, tread, etc 2/.........................| 101.0    97.5    97.1    -2.7    -.4     -1.1    -1.1     -.4
09-15-01   |   Sanitary papers and health products 2/..............| 151.2   151.2   149.1     8.0   -1.4      -.8     -.7    -1.4
09-31-01   |   Newspaper circulation...............................| 193.4   195.8   196.3     9.3     .3       .4      .6      .4
09-32-01   |   Periodical circulation..............................| 178.7   179.8   180.8     3.4     .6     -1.7      .6      .7
09-33      |   Book publishing 2/..................................| 191.0   191.1   191.7     5.9     .3      0        .3      .3
12-1       |   Household furniture 2/..............................| 143.2   143.7   144.0     2.3     .2       .1      .1      .2
12-3       |   Floor coverings 2/..................................| 124.8   123.6   124.9     1.8    1.1      -.3      .5     1.1
12-4       |   Household appliances 2/.............................| 112.7   112.8   112.6      .4    -.2      1.1     -.3     -.2
12-5       |   Home electronic equipment 2/........................|  79.4    77.8    79.2     -.4    1.8       .1     0       1.8
12-62      |   Household glassware 2/..............................| 152.8   154.4   154.9     1.0     .3      2.2    -1.2      .3
12-64      |   Household flatware 2/...............................| 137.9   141.0   138.5     0     -1.8      0       1.5    -1.8
12-66      |   Lawn and garden equip., ex. tractors 2/.............| 131.5   131.7   132.0     1.5     .2      -.2      .3      .2
14-11-01   |   Passenger cars......................................| 138.2   136.2   136.1     1.2    -.1     -1.5      .1      .2
15-11      |   Toys, games, and children's vehicles................| 124.4   126.5   125.3     1.0    -.9       .3      .6     -.7
15-12      |   Sporting and athletic goods 2/......................| 122.7   122.7   123.3     1.6     .5     -1.0      .8      .5
15-2       |   Tobacco products 2/.................................| 233.5   233.1   233.1     2.2    0         .1     -.1     0
15-5       |   Mobile homes 2/.....................................| 148.6   148.6   148.6     2.7    0        -.1     -.1     0
15-94-02   |   Jewelry, platinum, & karat gold 2/..................| 128.0   129.8   129.6     1.6    -.2      1.3      .4     -.2
15-94-04   |   Costume jewelry and novelties 2/....................| 134.9   134.9   134.9     -.4    0        0       0       0
           |                                                       |
           | CAPITAL EQUIPMENT.....................................| 138.3   138.4   138.3     1.5    -.1      -.1      .1     -.1
           |                                                       |
11-1       |   Agricultural machinery and equipment 2/.............| 145.5   145.4   145.5     3.4     .1       .1      .6      .1
11-2       |   Construction machinery and equipment................| 137.3   139.3   139.2     2.3    -.1       .3      .4     0
11-37      |   Metal cutting machine tools 2/......................| 150.0   150.9   151.2     3.3     .2       .5      .1      .2
11-38      |   Metal forming machine tools 2/......................| 147.0   148.8   149.0     3.0     .1       .3      .9      .1
11-39      |   Tools, dies, jigs, fixtures, and ind. molds 2/......| 134.8   135.4   135.7     2.0     .2       .4     0        .2
11-41      |   Pumps, compressors, and equipment...................| 141.3   142.5   143.0     3.2     .4      -.2      .1      .2
11-44      |   Industrial material handling equipment 2/...........| 126.1   126.6   126.8     1.8     .2       .1      .2      .2
11-51      |   Electronic computers (Dec. 1990=100) 2/.............|  48.9    46.4    44.8   -16.6   -3.4     -1.9    -2.5    -3.4
11-62      |   Textile machinery 2/................................| 148.0   147.4   147.9     1.2     .3      -.3     -.2      .3
11-64      |   Paper industries machinery (June 1982=100) 2/.......| 152.0   154.5   154.7     3.8     .1       .2     1.4      .1
11-65      |   Printing trades machinery 2/........................| 134.6   135.9   136.5     2.5     .4       .5      .1      .4
11-74      |   Transformers and power regulators 2/................| 130.6   130.9   131.6     3.4     .5       .1     -.1      .5
11-76      |   Communication & related equip. (Dec. 1985=100) 2/...| 112.3   113.1   113.0      .8    -.1       .7      .1     -.1
11-79-05   |   X-ray and electromedical equipment 2/...............| 111.9   110.6   110.5    -1.3    -.1      -.8      .2     -.1
11-91      |   Oil field and gas field machinery 2/................| 115.8   117.2   117.1     3.4    -.1       .9      .1     -.1
11-92      |   Mining machinery and equipment 2/...................| 137.2   138.6   138.6     2.9    0         .1      .8     0
11-93      |   Office and store machines and equipment 2/..........| 111.8   112.9   112.6     1.3    -.3       .4      .6     -.3
12-2       |   Commercial furniture 2/.............................| 150.2   151.4   150.7     2.8    -.5      -.1      .4     -.5
14-11-05   |   Light motor trucks..................................| 161.7   160.7   160.6      .9    -.1      -.4     -.3      .4
14-11-06   |   Heavy motor trucks..................................| 146.2   146.7   148.4     3.8    1.2      -.5     1.1     1.0
14-14      |   Truck trailers 2/...................................| 132.2   132.2   132.1      .6    -.1      0        .1     -.1
14-21-02   |   Civilian aircraft (Dec. 1985=100)...................| 144.5   145.3   145.4     4.0     .1       .3     -.1     0
14-31      |   Ships (Dec. 1985=100) 2/............................| 132.9     (3)   134.7     1.2    (3)      1.8     (3)     (3)
14-4       |   Railroad equipment..................................| 136.6   137.1   137.7     3.4     .4      -.4     -.2      .3
           |                                                       |
           |INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, AND COMPONENTS.......| 125.1   124.7   124.9      .7     .2       .1     -.4      .2
           |                                                       |
           | INTERMEDIATE FOODS AND FEEDS..........................| 121.2   122.9   123.5     9.7     .5       .2     -.5      .2
           |                                                       |
02-12-03   |   Flour 2/............................................| 134.8   140.6   139.2    26.7   -1.0     -2.4     5.8    -1.0
02-53      |   Refined sugar 2/....................................| 119.3   120.7   121.9     1.1    1.0       .5     -.8     1.0
02-54      |   Confectionery materials.............................| 109.6   106.8   106.2    -2.7    -.6     -1.0    -1.7    -1.0
02-72      |   Crude vegetable oils 2/.............................| 125.1   118.2   115.4   -17.5   -2.4     -2.8     0      -2.4
02-9       |   Prepared animal feeds 2/............................| 120.6   129.4   131.4    26.5    1.5      3.5     -.2     1.5
           |                                                       |
           | INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS LESS FOODS AND FEEDS...........| 125.3   124.8   125.0      .4     .2       .1     -.3      .1
           |                                                       |
03-1       |   Synthetic fibers 2/.................................| 111.8   110.3   110.8     4.1     .5      -.8     -.4      .5
03-2       |   Processed yarns and threads 2/......................| 113.9   113.9   114.5     2.2     .5       .1      .2      .5
03-3       |   Gray fabrics 2/.....................................| 120.9   120.8   121.8      .9     .8      -.7      .1      .8
03-4       |   Finished fabrics 2/.................................| 122.3   123.2   123.2     1.8    0         .4      .3     0
03-83-03   |   Industrial textile products 2/......................| 120.8   121.4   121.6     3.0     .2       .6     -.7      .2
04-2       |   Leather 2/..........................................| 183.5   180.9   181.1    -7.2     .1      -.2     -.3      .1
05-32      |   Liquefied petroleum gas 2/..........................|  65.2    77.3    75.1    14.7   -2.8      9.5     6.5    -2.8
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
See footnotes at end of table.
Table 2.  Producer Price Indexes and percent changes for selected commodity groupings by stage of processing - Continued
(1982=100 unless otherwise indicated)
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
           |                                                       |                       |Unadjusted     |
           |                                                       |                       | percent       |Seasonally adjusted
           |                                                       |   Unadjusted index    |change to      |percent change from:
 Commodity |                                                       |                       |Mar. 1996 from:|
   code    |                      Grouping                         |_______________________|_______________|________________________
           |                                                       |       |       |       |       |       |       |       |
           |                                                       |Nov.   |Feb.   |Mar.   | Mar.  | Feb.  |Dec. to|Jan. to|Feb. to
           |                                                       |1995 1/|1996 1/|1996 1/| 1995  | 1996  |  Jan. |  Feb. |  Mar.
___________|_______________________________________________________|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|_______|________
           |                                                       |
           | INTERMEDIATE MATERIALS LESS FOODS AND FEEDS           |
           |   -Continued..........................................|
05-42      |   Commercial electric power...........................| 127.1   127.2   127.7     0      0.4      0      -0.4     0.5
05-43      |   Industrial electric power...........................| 127.6   127.2   128.0     -.2     .6      -.1     -.5      .5
05-52      |   Commercial natural gas (Dec. 1990=100) 2/...........|  97.4   102.9   104.4     4.5    1.5      4.2      .5     1.5
05-53      |   Industrial natural gas (Dec. 1990=100) 2/...........|  91.0    96.6    98.1     4.8    1.6      3.5     1.2     1.6
05-54      |   Natural gas to electric utilities (Dec. 1990=100) 2/|  92.1    95.5    98.2     4.7    2.8     -1.3     3.9     2.8
05-72-03   |   Jet fuels...........................................|  58.5    56.9    58.9    12.8    3.5     11.1    -8.5     5.4
05-73-03   |   No. 2 Diesel fuel...................................|  59.7    59.1    62.5    13.6    5.8      5.4    -2.4     4.9
05-74      |   Residual fuel 2/....................................|  47.0    51.5    56.8     3.6   10.3     15.1    -7.7    10.3
06-1       |   Industrial chemicals 2/.............................| 124.6   124.1   124.1    -3.4    0         .2      .6     0
06-21      |   Prepared paint......................................| 143.7   144.2   145.0     3.1     .6       .1     -.2      .4
06-22      |   Paint materials 2/..................................| 142.5   143.6   143.0     5.3    -.4       .3      .5     -.4
06-31      |   Medicinal and botanical chemicals 2/................| 128.2   127.7   128.0     -.2     .2      2.3    -2.7      .2
06-4       |   Fats and oils, inedible 2/..........................| 135.0   121.4   116.3    -6.3   -4.2     -1.4    -8.4    -4.2
06-51      |   Mixed fertilizers...................................| 111.0   114.4   115.0     3.3     .5      1.2      .9      .1
06-52-01   |   Nitrogenates........................................| 125.3   135.8   138.0     1.6    1.6       .6      .2      .7
06-52-02   |   Phosphates 2/.......................................| 114.0   122.9   124.2    13.8    1.1      1.3     4.1     1.1
06-53      |   Other agricultural chemicals........................| 144.5   146.1   147.1     2.2     .7       .1     0        .8
06-6       |   Plastic resins and materials 2/.....................| 135.8   129.0   128.7   -11.9    -.2     -2.3    -1.4     -.2
07-11-02   |   Synthetic rubber 2/.................................| 127.8   122.9   123.3    -1.1     .3     -1.7    -1.1      .3
07-21      |   Plastic construction products 2/....................| 132.6   131.3   130.1    -2.1    -.9     -2.6      .9     -.9
07-22      |   Unsupported plastic film, sheet, & other shapes.....| 136.0   133.9   133.4    -1.3    -.4      -.3     0       -.3
07-26      |   Plastic parts and components for manufacturing 2/...| 116.8   116.9   117.0     2.1     .1      -.1     0        .1
08-11      |   Softwood lumber 2/..................................| 170.8   170.5   174.6    -5.8    2.4      -.2      .6     2.4
08-12      |   Hardwood lumber 2/..................................| 164.2   164.5   164.9    -3.0     .2       .4      .4      .2
08-2       |   Millwork 2/.........................................| 163.4   163.6   163.8     0       .1      0       0        .1
08-3       |   Plywood 2/..........................................| 161.7   154.1   151.6    -7.8   -1.6     -1.8     0      -1.6
09-11      |   Woodpulp 2/.........................................| 195.4   160.2   142.7   -15.3  -10.9     -6.4    -9.9   -10.9
09-13      |   Paper 2/............................................| 166.6   162.1   158.8     5.4   -2.0     -1.3     -.8    -2.0
09-14      |   Paperboard 2/.......................................| 185.7   172.3   167.6    -2.7   -2.7     -3.1    -2.3    -2.7
09-15-03   |   Paper boxes and containers 2/.......................| 168.8   164.9   162.3     3.2   -1.6     -1.4     -.5    -1.6
09-2       |   Building paper and board 2/.........................| 145.5   137.8   136.0    -7.7   -1.3     -2.5     -.6    -1.3
09-37      |   Commercial printing (June 1982=100) 2/..............| 146.8   148.2   148.1     4.0    -.1       .3      .5     -.1
10-15      |   Foundry and forge shop products.....................| 130.8   132.0   132.2     3.0     .2       .2      .5     0
10-17      |   Steel mill products 2/..............................| 117.9   116.0   115.0    -5.0    -.9      -.6     -.6     -.9
10-22      |   Primary nonferrous metals 2/........................| 140.6   131.7   132.4   -12.8     .5     -2.9    -3.9      .5
10-25-01   |   Aluminum mill shapes 2/.............................| 156.0   149.2   149.6    -9.4     .3      -.1    -2.0      .3
10-25-02   |   Copper and brass mill shapes 2/.....................| 194.8   184.7   187.0    -5.7    1.2     -4.4    -3.1     1.2
10-26      |   Nonferrous wire and cable 2/........................| 152.6   147.7   148.0    -1.9     .2     -1.7     -.7      .2
10-3       |   Metal containers 2/.................................| 117.7   110.5   110.5    -6.2    0       -2.3    -4.0     0
10-4       |   Hardware............................................| 141.9   142.9   143.4     2.1     .3       .4     -.1      .1
10-5       |   Plumbing fixtures and brass fittings................| 166.7   168.9   169.4     2.2     .3       .4      .2     -.2
10-6       |   Heating equipment...................................| 148.4   150.4   150.7     2.5     .2       .6     -.1      .1
10-7       |   Fabricated structural metal products................| 136.7   136.9   137.1     2.6     .1      0        .1      .1
10-88      |   Fabricated ferrous wire products (June 1982=100) 2/.| 125.7   125.7   126.0      .5     .2      0        .1      .2
10-89      |   Other misc. metal products 2/.......................| 125.4   125.4   125.5      .7     .1       .1     -.1      .1
11-45      |   Mechanical power transmission equipment.............| 148.3   151.1   150.8     3.9    -.2       .3      .1     -.3
11-48      |   Air conditioning and refrigeration equipment........| 131.1   132.3   133.1     2.5     .6       .4     0        .5
11-49-02   |   Metal valves, ex.fluid power (Dec. 1982=100)........| 147.3   149.4   149.8     4.5     .3       .2      .8      .5
11-49-05   |   Ball and roller bearings 2/.........................| 154.9   157.0   157.8     4.9     .5       .9     1.0      .5
11-71      |   Wiring devices......................................| 148.6   150.8   151.0     3.4     .1       .3     -.2      .3
11-73      |   Motors, generators, motor generator sets............| 145.0   146.2   146.2     2.4    0        -.3      .3     0
11-75      |   Switchgear, switchboard, etc., equipment............| 141.7   142.1   142.3     1.4     .1       .1      .1     0
11-78      |   Electronic components and accessories 2/............| 113.1   113.6   111.5    -2.4   -1.8       .2      .4    -1.8
11-94      |   Internal combustion engines.........................| 136.2   139.0   138.1     2.3    -.6      0       1.0     -.2
11-95      |   Machine shop products 2/............................| 132.0   132.9   133.5     2.1     .5       .1      .6      .5
13-11      |   Flat glass 2/.......................................| 112.1   112.0   110.8    -3.1   -1.1      -.8      .8    -1.1
13-22      |   Cement..............................................| 129.7   130.1   130.2     5.0     .1      -.5      .9     -.4
13-3       |   Concrete products...................................| 130.8   131.5   132.0     2.7     .4       .1      .1      .5
13-6       |   Asphalt felts and coatings 2/.......................| 101.1   100.1   100.3     2.7     .2      -.4     -.3      .2
13-7       |   Gypsum products 2/..................................| 151.5   149.5   146.4    -7.1   -2.1      -.8     -.1    -2.1
13-8       |   Glass containers 2/.................................| 131.2   130.8   129.2     -.7   -1.2      -.3     0      -1.2
14-12      |   Motor vehicle parts 2/..............................| 116.5   116.0   116.1      .2     .1      -.4      .1      .1
14-23      |   Aircraft engines & engine parts (Dec. 1985=100).....| 133.8   135.1   134.9     2.4    -.1      -.5     1.1     0
14-25      |   Aircraft parts & aux.equip.,nec (June 1985=100) 2/..| 136.0   136.2   138.0     1.3    1.3       .6      .4     1.3
15-42      |   Photographic supplies 2/............................| 128.0   130.0   130.2     4.1     .2      1.9      .2      .2
15-6       |   Medical/surgical/personal aid devices...............| 142.0   143.5   143.7     2.0     .1       .6     -.4      .2
           |                                                       |
           | CRUDE MATERIALS FOR FURTHER PROCESSING................| 103.8   106.9   109.1     6.6    2.1      2.1     -.7     1.6
           |                                                       |
           |  CRUDE FOODSTUFFS AND FEEDSTUFFS......................| 114.2   115.1   116.2    12.6    1.0      -.4     -.5      .1
           |                                                       |
01-21      |   Wheat...............................................| 136.1   142.6   141.3    39.8    -.9     -1.5     6.9     3.1
01-22-02-05|   Corn................................................| 126.1   148.1   156.4    61.9    5.6      4.8     4.7     4.0
01-31      |   Slaughter cattle....................................|  99.6    93.9    91.6   -14.0   -2.4     -4.1    -4.2    -3.8
01-32      |   Slaughter hogs......................................|  66.1    77.3    80.6    24.4    4.3     -9.3    -1.2     7.7
01-41-02   |   Slaughter broilers/fryers...........................| 152.3   126.9   123.4     5.5   -2.8      1.0   -10.1    -7.5
01-42      |   Slaughter turkeys...................................| 151.8   120.1   114.1     8.5   -5.0      7.6     6.7    -8.3
01-6       |   Fluid milk..........................................| 100.7   101.1   100.6     8.4    -.5       .2     1.9     -.6
01-83-01-31|   Soybeans............................................| 114.0   121.6   122.5    26.9     .7      4.2    -1.1    -1.3
02-52-01-01|   Cane sugar,raw 2/...................................| 119.1   118.9   118.0      .6    -.8      -.8      .8     -.8
 
           |                                                       |
           |  CRUDE NONFOOD MATERIALS..............................|  93.2    97.6   100.4     2.7    2.9      4.1     -.8     2.8
           |                                                       |
01-51-01-01|   Raw cotton..........................................| 140.8   136.0   133.0   -26.7   -2.2     -6.0    -2.3    -9.1
01-92-01-01|   Leaf tobacco 2/.....................................| 108.5   121.4   102.3     2.1  -15.7       .7    11.1   -15.7
04-11      |   Cattle hides........................................| 176.7   176.6   177.1   -23.7     .3     -1.7     2.3    -1.7
05-1       |   Coal 2/.............................................|  94.8    94.7    96.0     -.9    1.4     -3.2     3.2     1.4
05-31      |   Natural gas (to pipelines) 2/.......................|  67.0    75.9    80.4    23.1    5.9     13.5      .5     5.9
05-61      |   Crude petroleum 2/..................................|  49.0    53.0    57.5    13.6    8.5      7.5    -5.2     8.5
08-5       |   Logs, timber, etc. 2/...............................| 211.5   213.2   213.0    -5.7    -.1      1.7    -1.5     -.1
09-12      |   Wastepaper 2/.......................................| 170.5   151.3   136.7   -70.6   -9.6     12.5      .9    -9.6
10-11      |   Iron ore 2/.........................................|  93.5    97.4    97.4     4.2    0        4.2     0       0
10-12      |   Iron and steel scrap 2/.............................| 193.1   200.8   197.3    -2.0   -1.7      3.2     1.0    -1.7
10-21      |   Nonferrous metal ores (Dec. 1983=100) 2/............| 100.9    95.3    95.5    -4.6     .2     -2.3    -3.1      .2
10-23-01   |   Copper base scrap 2/................................| 199.0   176.7   179.2    -1.5    1.4     -5.8    -2.5     1.4
10-23-02   |   Aluminum base scrap.................................| 183.9   178.3   178.6   -18.9     .2     -5.0    -3.8     1.5
13-21      |   Construction sand, gravel, and crushed stone........| 143.6   144.4   145.1     2.8     .5      -.2      .1      .4
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
1/  The indexes for  November 1995 have been recalculated                            2/  Not seasonally adjusted.
    to incorporate late reports and corrections by respondents.                      3/  Not available.
    All indexes are subject to revision four months after original
    publication.
Table 3.  Producer Price Indexes for selected commodity groupings
          (1982=100 unless otherwise indicated)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
         |                                                |                                   |
         |                                                |         Unadjusted index 1/       |
Commodity|                                                |___________________________________|
  code   |                    Grouping                    | Nov. 1995 | Feb. 1996 |March 1996 |
_________|________________________________________________|___________|___________|___________|
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         | Finished Goods (1967=100)......................|   361.2   |   363.2   |   365.3   |
         | All commodities................................|   125.4   |   125.9   |   126.4   |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         |            MAJOR COMMODITY GROUPS              |           |           |           |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         | Farm products and processed foods and feeds....|   125.2   |   125.8   |   126.7   |
01       |   Farm products................................|   115.4   |   116.7   |   119.5   |
02       |   Processed foods and feeds....................|   130.0   |   130.4   |   130.3   |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         | Industrial commodities.........................|   125.4   |   125.9   |   126.4   |
03       |   Textile products and apparel.................|   121.3   |   121.8   |   122.1   |
04       |   Hides, skins, leather, and related products..|   149.5   |   148.8   |   149.5   |
05       |   Fuels and related products and power 2/......|    75.9   |    79.0   |    81.5   |
06       |   Chemicals and allied products 2/.............|   141.0   |   140.7   |   141.0   |
07       |   Rubber and plastic products..................|   124.7   |   123.9   |   123.7   |
08       |   Lumber and wood products.....................|   174.2   |   172.9   |   173.4   |
09       |   Pulp, paper, and allied products.............|   175.2   |   173.1   |   171.4   |
10       |   Metals and metal products....................|   133.7   |   131.9   |   131.8   |
11       |   Machinery and equipment......................|   127.2   |   127.5   |   127.1   |
12       |   Furniture and household durables.............|   129.3   |   129.5   |   129.8   |
13       |   Nonmetallic mineral products.................|   129.8   |   129.8   |   130.1   |
14       |   Transportation equipment.....................|   141.7   |   141.4   |   141.6   |
15       |   Miscellaneous products.......................|   147.0   |   147.9   |   148.2   |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         | Industrial commodities less fuels and related  |           |           |           |
         |   products and power...........................|   139.6   |   139.1   |   138.9   |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
         |             OTHER COMMODITY GROUPINGS          |           |           |           |
         |                                                |           |           |           |
01-1     | Fruits and melons, fresh and dry vegetables,   |           |           |           |
         |   and tree nuts................................|   113.6   |   115.5   |   138.0   |
01-2     | Grains.........................................|   131.1   |   146.5   |   151.5   |
01-3     | Slaughter livestock............................|    91.9   |    90.6   |    89.9   |
01-4     | Slaughter poultry..............................|   150.3   |   124.0   |   120.0   |
01-5     | Plant and animal fibers........................|   139.9   |   135.2   |   132.4   |
01-7     | Chicken eggs...................................|   136.9   |   126.7   |   138.5   |
01-8     | Hay, hayseeds, and oilseeds....................|   132.0   |   138.8   |   139.0   |
01-83    | Oilseeds.......................................|   124.9   |   133.2   |   134.7   |
01-9     | Other farm products............................|   161.7   |   181.0   |   152.5   |
02-1     | Cereal and bakery products.....................|   158.9   |   160.5   |   159.4   |
02-2     | Meats, poultry, and fish.......................|   113.8   |   111.9   |   111.1   |
02-22    | Processed poultry..............................|   119.7   |   115.6   |   113.0   |
02-5     | Sugar and confectionery........................|   134.9   |   135.9   |   136.2   |
02-6     | Beverages and beverage materials...............|   134.0   |   135.0   |   135.1   |
02-63    | Packaged beverage materials....................|   136.9   |   133.9   |   131.3   |
02-7     | Fats and oils..................................|   136.8   |   129.2   |   127.6   |
03-81    | Apparel........................................|   124.1   |   125.2   |   125.3   |
04-4     | Other leather and related products.............|   139.7   |   140.3   |   140.4   |
05-3     | Gas fuels 2/...................................|    65.6   |    75.1   |    77.8   |
05-4     | Electric power.................................|   127.8   |   127.4   |   128.1   |
05-7     | Refined petroleum products.....................|    57.8   |    60.9   |    65.2   |
06-3     | Drugs and pharmaceuticals......................|   213.4   |   213.3   |   214.4   |
06-5     | Agricultural chemicals and products............|   130.7   |   136.9   |   138.2   |
06-7     | Other chemicals and allied products............|   131.4   |   132.5   |   132.7   |
07-1     | Rubber and rubber products.....................|   118.2   |   116.4   |   116.4   |
07-11    | Rubber, except natural rubber..................|   127.0   |   122.2   |   122.6   |
07-13    | Miscellaneous rubber products..................|   134.7   |   135.7   |   135.9   |
07-2     | Plastic products...............................|   131.1   |   130.8   |   130.4   |
08-1     | Lumber.........................................|   167.0   |   166.9   |   169.8   |
09-1     | Pulp, paper, and products, excluding building  |           |           |           |
         |   paper and board..............................|   165.4   |   159.6   |   155.9   |
09-15    | Converted paper and paperboard products........|   161.4   |   159.0   |   157.0   |
10-1     | Iron and steel.................................|   126.9   |   126.7   |   125.8   |
10-2     | Nonferrous metals..............................|   146.4   |   140.1   |   140.6   |
10-25    | Nonferrous mill shapes.........................|   153.2   |   147.1   |   147.4   |
11-3     | Metalworking machinery and equipment...........|   140.8   |   142.1   |   142.5   |
11-4     | General purpose machinery and equipment........|   140.5   |   141.8   |   142.3   |
11-6     | Special industry machinery.....................|   150.8   |   152.5   |   152.8   |
11-7     | Electrical machinery and equipment.............|   124.9   |   125.1   |   124.3   |
11-9     | Miscellaneous machinery and equipment..........|   127.6   |   128.9   |   129.0   |
12-6     | Other household durable goods..................|   145.6   |   146.9   |   147.2   |
13-2     | Concrete ingredients...........................|   136.0   |   136.7   |   137.1   |
14-1     | Motor vehicles and equipment...................|   135.5   |   134.4   |   134.5   |
15-1     | Toys, sporting goods, small arms, etc..........|   129.5   |   130.4   |   130.4   |
15-4     | Photographic equipment and supplies............|   118.4   |   120.8   |   120.9   |
15-9     | Other miscellaneous products...................|   133.1   |   133.0   |   132.8   |
__________________________________________________________|___________|___________|___________|
 
1/  Data for  Nov. 1995 have been revised to reflect the
    availability of late reports and corrections by
    respondents.  All data are subject to revision 4
    months after original publication.
 
2/  Prices of some items in this grouping are lagged 1 month.
 
Table #4       Producer price indexes for the net output of major industry groups, not seasonally adjusted
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
                  |                                              |     |         Index         |  Percent change
  Industry        |                Industry 1/                   |Index|_______________________|to_Mar._1996_from:__
    code          |                                              |base |       |       |       |        |
                  |                                              |     |Nov.   |Feb.   |Mar.   |  Mar.  |  Feb.
                  |                                              |     |1995 2/|1996 2/|1996 2/|  1995  |  1996
__________________|______________________________________________|_____|_______|_______|_______|________|___________
                  |                                              |     |
                  |Total mining industries...................... |12/84|  70.5    75.6    78.7    11.3     4.1
       10         | Metal mining................................ |12/84| 100.0    96.6    96.7    -6.8      .1
       12         | Coal mining................................. |12/85|  91.4    91.8    92.5    -1.3      .8
       13         | Oil and gas extraction...................... |12/85|  66.0    73.0    77.0    17.2     5.5
       14         | Mining and quarrying of non-metallic         |     |
                  |  minerals, except fuels..................... |12/84| 124.4   126.4   126.8     2.6      .3
                  |                                              |     |
                  |Total manufacturing industries............... |12/84| 125.1   125.7   126.1     2.2      .3
       20         | Food and kindred products................... |12/84| 123.8   124.5   124.3     2.6     -.2
       21         | Tobacco manufactures........................ |12/84| 195.0   195.0   195.1     2.4      .1
       22         | Textile mill products....................... |12/84| 117.2   117.4   117.8     1.8      .3
       23         | Apparel and other finished products made     |     |
                  |  from fabrics and similar materials......... |12/84| 120.7   121.7   121.8     1.0      .1
       24         | Lumber and wood products, except furniture.. |12/84| 152.1   150.7   150.9    -3.0      .1
       25         | Furniture and fixtures...................... |12/84| 134.9   135.6   135.5     2.6     -.1
       26         | Paper and allied products................... |12/84| 150.8   146.4   143.6     1.6    -1.9
       27         | Printing, publishing, and allied industries. |12/84| 162.6   164.4   164.7     5.3      .2
       28         | Chemicals and allied products............... |12/84| 144.6   144.6   144.8     2.4      .1
       29         | Petroleum refining and related products..... |12/84|  73.4    76.9    81.7     8.5     6.2
       30         | Rubber and miscellaneous plastic products... |12/84| 123.6   123.1   122.9      .3     -.2
       31         | Leather and leather products................ |12/84| 134.4   134.1   134.6      .6      .4
       32         | Stone, clay, glass, and concrete products... |12/84| 124.9   124.9   125.1     1.1      .2
       33         | Primary metal industries.................... |12/84| 127.1   124.8   124.4    -3.6     -.3
       34         | Fabricated metal products, except machinery  |     |
                  |  and transportation equipment............... |12/84| 125.8   125.6   125.8     1.4      .2
       35         | Machinery, except electrical................ |12/84| 119.3   119.8   119.7      .8     -.1
       36         | Electrical and electronic machinery,         |     |
                  |  equipment, and supplies.................... |12/84| 113.5   114.2   113.8      .6     -.4
       37         | Transportation equipment.................... |12/84| 134.4   134.2   134.3     1.7      .1
       38         | Measuring and controlling instruments;       |     |
                  |  photographic, medical, optical goods;       |     |
                  |  watches, clocks............................ |12/84| 125.2   125.4   125.2     1.5     -.2
       39         | Miscellaneous manufacturing industries...... |12/85| 126.5   127.4   127.5     1.7      .1
                  |                                              |     |
                  |Services industries                           |     |
       42         | Motor freight transportation and warehousing |06/93| 104.9   105.6   105.7     1.2      .1
       43         | United states postal service................ |06/89| 132.3   132.3   132.3      .2     0
       44         | Water transportation........................ |12/92| 103.7   104.2   104.3     1.7      .1
       45         | Transportation by air....................... |12/92| 118.0   119.1   119.8     8.8      .6
       46         | Pipe lines, except natural gas.............. |12/86| 110.6   105.4   110.6     -.3     4.9
       80         | Health services............................. |12/94| 103.4   104.0   104.2     2.4      .2
                  |                                              |     |
__________________|______________________________________________|_____|____________________________________________
1/ Indexes in this table are derived from the net-output-weighted industry price indexes shown in table 5.
   Because of differences in coverage and aggregation methodology, they will generally not match the movements
   of similarly-titled indexes which are derived from traditional commodity groupings shown in table 6.
2/ The indexes for Nov. 1995 have been recalculated to incorporate late reports and corrections by respondents.
   All indexes are subject to revision four months  after original publication.
3/ Not available.