[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 26 (Monday, February 9, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6603-6607]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-3196]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
[Docket No. NHTSA-97-3125; Notice 01]
RIN 2127-AH04


Preliminary Theft Data; Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Publication of preliminary theft data; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: This document requests comments on data about passenger motor 
vehicle thefts that occurred in calendar year (CY) 1996, including 
theft rates for existing passenger motor vehicle lines manufactured in 
model year (MY) 1996. The theft data preliminarily indicate that the 
vehicle theft rate for CY/MY 1996 vehicles (3.28 thefts per thousand 
vehicles) decreased by 8.1 percent from the theft rate for CY/MY 1995 
vehicles (3.57 thefts per thousand vehicles).
    Publication of these data fulfills NHTSA's statutory obligation to 
periodically obtain accurate and timely theft data, and publish the 
information for review and comment.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before April 10, 1998.

ADDRESSES: All comments should refer to the docket number and notice 
number cited in the heading of this document and be submitted, 
preferably with two copies to: U.S. Department of Transportation, 
Dockets, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. 
Docket hours are from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Orron Kee, Office of Planning and 
Consumer Programs, NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590. 
Mr. Kee's telephone number is (202) 366-0846. His fax number is (202) 
493-2739.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NHTSA administers a program for reducing 
motor vehicle theft. The central feature of this program is the Federal 
Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard, 49 CFR Part 541. The standard 
specifies performance requirements for inscribing or affixing vehicle 
identification numbers (VINs) onto certain major original equipment and 
replacement parts of high-theft lines of passenger motor vehicles.
    The agency is required by 49 U.S.C. 33104(b)(4) to periodically 
obtain, from the most reliable source, accurate and timely theft data, 
and publish the data for review and comment. To fulfill the 
Sec. 33104(b)(4) mandate, this document reports the preliminary theft 
data for CY 1996, the most recent calendar year for which data are 
available.
    In calculating the 1996 theft rates, NHTSA followed the same 
procedures it used in calculating the MY 1995 theft rates. (For 1995 
theft data calculations, see 62 FR 44416, August 21, 1997). As in all 
previous reports, NHTSA's data were based on information provided to 
the agency by the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) of the 
Federal Bureau of Investigation. The NCIC is a governmental system that 
receives vehicle theft information from nearly 23,000 criminal justice 
agencies and other law enforcement authorities throughout the United 
States. The NCIC data also include reported thefts of self-insured and 
uninsured vehicles, not all of which are reported to other data 
sources.
    The 1996 theft rate for each vehicle line was calculated by 
dividing the number of reported thefts of MY 1996 vehicles of that line 
stolen during calendar year 1996, by the total number of vehicles in 
that line manufactured for MY 1996, as reported to the Environmental 
Protection Agency.
    The preliminary 1996 theft data show a decrease in the vehicle 
theft rate when compared to the theft rate experienced in CY/MY 1995. 
The preliminary theft rate for MY 1996 passenger vehicles stolen in 
calendar year 1996 decreased to 3.28 thefts per thousand vehicles 
produced, a decrease of 8.1 percent from the rate of 3.57 thefts per 
thousand vehicles experienced by MY 1995 vehicles in CY 1995. For MY 
1996 vehicles, out of a total of 203 vehicle lines, 71 lines had a 
theft rate higher than 3.5826 per thousand vehicles, the established 
median theft rate for MYs 1990/1991. (See 59 FR 12400, March 16, 1994). 
Of the 71 vehicle lines with a theft rate higher than 3.5826, 67 are

[[Page 6604]]

passenger car lines, 4 are multipurpose passenger vehicle lines, and 
none are light-duty truck lines.
    In Table I, NHTSA has tentatively ranked each of the MY 1996 
vehicle lines in descending order of theft rate. Public comment is 
sought on the accuracy of the data, including the data for the 
production volumes of individual vehicle lines.
    Comments must not exceed 15 pages in length (49 CFR Part 553.21). 
Attachments may be appended to these submissions without regard to the 
15 page limit. This limitation is intended to encourage commenters to 
detail their primary arguments in a concise fashion.
    If a commenter wishes to submit certain information under a claim 
of confidentiality, three copies of the complete submission, including 
purportedly confidential business information, should be submitted to 
the Chief Counsel, NHTSA, at the street address given above, and two 
copies from which the purportedly confidential information has been 
deleted should be submitted to Dockets. A request for confidentiality 
should be accompanied by a cover letter setting forth the information 
specified in the agency's confidential business regulation. 49 CFR Part 
512.
    All comments received before the close of business on the comment 
closing date indicated above for this document will be considered, and 
will be available for examination in the docket at the above address 
both before and after that date. To the extent possible, comments filed 
after the closing date will also be considered. Comments on this 
document will be available for inspection in the docket. NHTSA will 
continue to file relevant information as it becomes available for 
inspection in the docket after the closing date, and it is recommended 
that interested persons continue to examine the docket for new 
material.
    Those persons desiring to be notified upon receipt of their 
comments in the rules docket should enclose a self-addressed, stamped 
postcard in the envelope with their comments. Upon receiving the 
comments, the docket supervisor will return the postcard by mail.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 33101, 33102 and 33104; delegation of 
authority at 49 CFR 1.50.

              Theft Rates of Model Year 1996 Passenger Motor Vehicles Stolen in Calendar Year 1996              
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      1996 (per 
                                                                                                        1,000   
             Manufacturer                      Make/model (line)         Thefts 1996   Production     vehicles  
                                                                                      (Mfr's) 1996    produced) 
                                                                                                     theft rate 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1 MITSUBISHI..........................  DIAMANTE......................            28           600       46.6667
2 MAZDA...............................  MX-3..........................             1            27       37.0370
3 ROLLS-ROYCE.........................  SILVER DAWN...................             1            31       32.2581
4 TOYOTA..............................  SUPRA.........................             7           275       25.4545
5 CHRYSLER CORP.......................  INTREPID 1....................             8           465       17.2043
6 MITSUBISHI..........................  MIRAGE........................           364        31,933       11.3989
7 TOYOTA..............................  LEXUS GS......................            27         2,535       10.6509
8 MITSUBISHI..........................  MONTERO.......................           112        11,026       10.1578
9 NISSAN..............................  300ZX.........................            28         2,893        9.6785
10 CHRYSLER CORP......................  DODGE STEALTH.................             3           358        8.3799
11 NISSAN.............................  STANZA ALTIMA.................           719        92,478        7.7748
12 CHRYSLER CORP......................  PLYMOUTH NEON.................           779       103,871        7.4997
13 BMW................................  8.............................             2           267        7.4906
14 TOYOTA.............................  LEXUS SC......................            34         4,785        7.1055
15 CHRYSLER CORP......................  DODGE NEON....................           926       131,821        7.0247
16 CHRYSLER CORP......................  JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE...........         1,978       281,814        7.0188
17 SAAB...............................  SAAB 9000.....................            23         3,284        7.0037
18 MITSUBISHI.........................  GALANT........................           371        54,673        6.7858
19 GENERAL MOTORS.....................  CHEVROLET CORVETTE............           137        21,008        6.5213
20 ROLLS-ROYCE........................  SILVER SPUR...................             1           155        6.4516
21 HYUNDAI............................  ACCENT........................           300        46,691        6.4252
22 MITSUBISHI.........................  ECLIPSE.......................           323        51,055        6.3265
23 CHRYSLER CORP......................  DODGE STRATUS.................           622        99,683        6.2398
24 HONDA/ACURA........................  NSX...........................             3           486        6.1728
25 SUZUKI.............................  SWIFT.........................            12         2,087        5.7499
26 NISSAN.............................  MAXIMA........................           893       156,602        5.7024
27 MITSUBISHI.........................  EXPO..........................             7         1,230        5.6911
28 FORD MOTOR CO......................  MERCURY TRACER................            74        13,199        5.6065
29 HYUNDAI............................  SONATA........................            54         9,694        5.5700
30 TOYOTA.............................  TERCEL........................           335        60,704        5.5186
31 FORD MOTOR CO......................  MUSTANG.......................           696       126,357        5.5082
32 CHRYSLER CORP......................  NEW YORKER/LHS................           209        38,284        5.4592
33 TOYOTA.............................  COROLLA.......................         1,136       210,277        5.4024
34 SUZUKI.............................  ESTEEM........................            32         5,926        5.3999
35 NISSAN.............................  SENTRA/200SX..................           894       168,554        5.3039
36 GENERAL MOTORS.....................  OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS CIERA......           658       124,817        5.2717
37 MERCEDES BENZ......................  129 (SL-CLASS)................            29         5,530        5.2441
38 TOYOTA.............................  LEXUS LS......................           120        22,919        5.2358
39 HONDA..............................  PRELUDE.......................            50         9,683        5.1637
40 CHRYSLER CORP......................  DODGE INTREPID................           714       145,289        4.9143
41 GENERAL MOTORS.....................  OLDSMOBILE ACHIEVA............           173        35,605        4.8589
42 MAZDA..............................  MILLENNIA.....................            56        11,669        4.7990
43 CHRYSLER CORP......................  PLYMOUTH BREEZE...............           224        46,718        4.7947
44 CHRYSLER CORP......................  SEBRING.......................           381        80,480        4.7341
45 FORD MOTOR CO......................  ASPIRE........................           143        30,287        4.7215

[[Page 6605]]

                                                                                                                
46 GENERAL MOTORS.....................  CHEVROLET CORSICA.............           675       149,133        4.5262
47 NISSAN.............................  INFINITI J30..................            24         5,340        4.4944
48 FORD MOTOR CO......................  ESCORT........................           553       125,391        4.4102
49 TOYOTA.............................  4-RUNNER......................           295        67,361        4.3794
50 MERCEDES BENZ......................  140 (S-CLASS).................            58        13,320        4.3544
51 HONDA..............................  ACCORD........................         1,629       377,911        4.3105
52 CHRYSLER CORP......................  STRATUS \1\...................             1           232        4.3103
53 GENERAL MOTORS.....................  CHEVROLET LUMINA APV..........           101        23,522        4.2939
54 GENERAL MOTORS.....................  CHEVROLET CAMARO..............           261        61,449        4.2474
55 GENERAL MOTORS.....................  BUICK CENTURY.................           391        92,430        4.2302
56 GENERAL MOTORS.....................  GEO METRO.....................           355        84,371        4.2076
57 TOYOTA.............................  CAMRY.........................         1,447       344,599        4.1991
58 NISSAN.............................  INFINITI Q45..................            17         4,059        4.1882
59 MITSUBISHI.........................  3000GT........................            21         5,127        4.0960
60 TOYOTA.............................  PASEO.........................            28         6,837        4.0954
61 NISSAN.............................  240SX.........................            30         7,334        4.0905
62 FORD MOTOR CO......................  CONTOUR.......................           653       167,572        3.8968
63 BMW................................  M3............................             6         1,561        3.8437
64 GENERAL MOTORS.....................  PONTIAC GRAND AM..............           790       206,435        3.8269
65 MAZDA..............................  626/MX-6......................           320        84,528        3.7857
66 GENERAL MOTORS.....................  PONTIAC FIREBIRD..............           116        31,038        3.7374
67 GENERAL MOTORS.....................  CHEVROLET CAVALIER............         1,001       269,595        3.7130
68 FORD MOTOR CO......................  MERCURY MYSTIQUE..............           189        51,666        3.6581
69 BMW................................  3.............................           140        38,444        3.6417
70 HONDA..............................  DEL SOL.......................            11         3,034        3.6256
71 HONDA/ACURA........................  INTEGRA.......................           177        49,077        3.6066
72 CHRYSLER CORP......................  CIRRUS........................           156        43,695        3.5702
73 SUZUKI.............................  SIDEKICK......................            67        18,982        3.5297
74 GENERAL MOTORS.....................  CHEVROLET BERETTA.............           152        43,270        3.5128
75 HONDA/ACURA........................  TL............................           132        37,629        3.5079
76 FORD MOTOR CO......................  LINCOLN TOWN CAR..............           314        90,750        3.4601
77 GENERAL MOTORS.....................  PONTIAC TRANS SPORT...........            56        16,355        3.4240
78 HYUNDAI............................  ELANTRA.......................            96        28,040        3.4237
79 FORD MOTOR CO......................  EXPLORER......................         1,427       419,288        3.4034
80 CHRYSLER CORP......................  EAGLE VISION..................            43        12,830        3.3515
81 KIA MOTORS.........................  SEPHIA........................            89        27,048        3.2904
82 MAZDA..............................  PROTEGE.......................           196        59,602        3.2885
83 CHRYSLER CORP......................  DODGE AVENGER.................           126        38,949        3.2350
84 CHRYSLER CORP......................  EAGLE SUMMIT..................             3           932        3.2189
85 AUDI...............................  CABRIOLET.....................             4         1,258        3.1797
86 CHRYSLER CORP......................  DODGE B1500/B2500 VAN.........             5         1,594        3.1368
87 BMW................................  7.............................            19         6,134        3.0975
88 CHRYSLER CORP......................  JEEP CHEROKEE.................           575       187,936        3.0596
89 FORD MOTOR CO......................  THUNDERBIRD...................           259        85,015        3.0465
90 GENERAL MOTORS.....................  PONTIAC GRAND PRIX............           232        77,375        2.9984
91 TOYOTA.............................  LEXUS ES......................           121        41,140        2.9412
92 GENERAL MOTORS.....................  GEO PRIZM.....................           215        73,200        2.9372
93 GENERAL MOTORS.....................  BUICK SKYLARK.................           121        41,856        2.8909
94 CHRYSLER CORP......................  EAGLE TALON...................            33        11,518        2.8651
95 NISSAN.............................  PATHFINDER....................           161        56,635        2.8428
96 NISSAN.............................  INFINITI I30..................           100        35,950        2.7816
97 CHRYSLER CORP......................  DODGE VIPER...................             5         1,812        2.7594
98 TOYOTA.............................  CELICA........................            28        10,293        2.7203
99 ISUZU..............................  TROOPER.......................            48        17,881        2.6844
100 GENERAL MOTORS....................  CADILLAC DEVILLE..............           285       107,649        2.6475
101 FORD MOTOR CO.....................  PROBE.........................            79        30,146        2.6206
102 FORD MOTOR CO.....................  TAURUS........................         1,031       393,897        2.6174
103 ISUZU.............................  RODEO.........................           115        44,067        2.6097
104 GENERAL MOTORS....................  PONTIAC SUNFIRE...............           251        97,143        2.5838
105 CHRYSLER CORP.....................  DODGE DAKOTA PICKUP...........           249        96,653        2.5762
106 GENERAL MOTORS....................  GEO TRACKER...................           138        53,907        2.5600
107 HONDA.............................  CIVIC.........................           598       233,620        2.5597
108 FORD MOTOR CO.....................  LINCOLN MARK VIII.............            34        13,331        2.5504
109 PORSCHE...........................  911...........................            19         7,456        2.5483
110 TOYOTA............................  TACOMA PICKUP TRUCK...........           322       132,011        2.4392
111 VOLKSWAGEN........................  JETTA.........................           202        83,898        2.4077
112 GENERAL MOTORS....................  PONTIAC BONNEVILLE............           166        69,642        2.3836
113 FORD MOTOR CO.....................  MERCURY SABLE.................           293       123,305        2.3762

[[Page 6606]]

                                                                                                                
114 JAGUAR............................  XJ6...........................            18         7,658        2.3505
115 GENERAL MOTORS....................  OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE.........            14         6,128        2.2846
116 GENERAL MOTORS....................  CHEVROLET CAPRICE.............           135        60,201        2.2425
117 CHRYSLER CORP.....................  PLYMOUTH VOYAGER..............           411       183,469        2.2402
118 GENERAL MOTORS....................  CHEVROLET BLAZER S-10.........           569       254,875        2.2325
119 HONDA/ACURA.......................  SLX...........................             8         3,589        2.2290
120 CHRYSLER CORP.....................  NEON 1........................             2           909        2.2002
121 TOYOTA............................  AVALON........................           145        65,924        2.1995
122 MAZDA.............................  MX-5 MIATA....................            41        18,994        2.1586
123 NISSAN............................  INFINITI G20..................            33        15,509        2.1278
124 GENERAL MOTORS....................  OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS SUPREME....           157        74,371        2.1110
125 TOYOTA............................  T100 PICKUP TRUCK.............            80        37,941        2.1085
126 FORD MOTOR CO.....................  MERCURY COUGAR................            80        38,919        2.0556
127 GENERAL MOTORS....................  GMC JIMMY S-15................           170        83,199        2.0433
128 GENERAL MOTORS....................  CADILLAC ELDORADO.............            40        20,040        1.9960
129 GENERAL MOTORS....................  BUICK REGAL...................           199        99,729        1.9954
130 MERCEDES BENZ.....................  202 (C-CLASS).................            48        24,200        1.9835
131 GENERAL MOTORS....................  CHEVROLET LUMINA/MONTE CARLO..           596       302,631        1.9694
132 JAGUAR............................  XJ12..........................             1           509        1.9646
133 HONDA.............................  PASSPORT......................            49        25,041        1.9568
134 VOLKSWAGEN........................  CABRIO........................            10         5,155        1.9399
135 VOLVO.............................  850...........................           118        60,899        1.9376
136 GENERAL MOTORS....................  CHEVROLET ASTRO VAN...........           143        74,183        1.9277
137 TOYOTA............................  RAV4..........................            81        42,646        1.8994
138 CHRYSLER CORP.....................  DODGE CARAVAN.................           629       344,553        1.8256
139 NISSAN............................  PICKUP TRUCK..................           179        99,156        1.8052
140 TOYOTA............................  PREVIA VAN....................            14         8,022        1.7452
141 FORD MOTOR CO.....................  RANGER PICKUP TRUCK...........           490       282,203        1.7363
142 HONDA/ACURA.......................  RL............................            26        15,176        1.7132
143 GENERAL MOTORS....................  CHEVROLET S-10 PICKUP.........           350       208,469        1.6789
144 FORD MOTOR CO.....................  WINDSTAR VAN..................           376       231,107        1.6270
145 GENERAL MOTORS....................  SATURN SC.....................            82        50,439        1.6257
146 AUDI..............................  A4............................            25        15,407        1.6226
147 GENERAL MOTORS....................  OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA APV........            20        12,525        1.5968
148 MAZDA.............................  B SERIES PICKUP TRUCK.........            73        45,730        1.5963
149 VOLKSWAGEN........................  GOLF/GTI......................            36        22,747        1.5826
150 JAGUAR............................  XJS...........................             5         3,235        1.5456
151 GENERAL MOTORS....................  OLDSMOBILE 88.................            83        53,916        1.5394
152 MERCEDES BENZ.....................  124 (E-CLASS).................            29        19,001        1.5262
153 FORD MOTOR CO.....................  LINCOLN CONTINENTAL...........            41        27,829        1.4733
154 GENERAL MOTORS....................  GMC SONOMA PICKUP TRUCK.......            73        50,795        1.4371
155 FORD MOTOR CO.....................  MERCURY GRAND MARQUIS.........           136        95,020        1.4313
156 SUZUKI............................  X-90..........................             7         4,907        1.4265
157 GENERAL MOTORS....................  GMC SAFARI VAN................            32        22,540        1.4197
158 CHRYSLER CORP.....................  CONCORDE......................            71        50,123        1.4165
159 GENERAL MOTORS....................  CADILLAC SEVILLE..............            46        33,641        1.3674
160 VOLKSWAGEN........................  PASSAT........................            25        18,770        1.3319
161 GENERAL MOTORS....................  SATURN SL.....................           273       210,472        1.2971
162 JAGUAR............................  VANDEN PLAS...................             6         4,688        1.2799
163 FORD MOTOR CO.....................  AEROSTAR VAN..................            75        59,468        1.2612
164 NISSAN............................  QUEST.........................            56        45,543        1.2296
165 GENERAL MOTORS....................  BUICK RIVIERA.................            20        17,389        1.1502
166 GENERAL MOTORS....................  BUICK PARK AVENUE.............            53        47,008        1.1275
167 MAZDA.............................  MPV...........................            16        14,595        1.0963
168 VOLVO.............................  960...........................            20        18,266        1.0949
169 CHRYSLER CORP.....................  TOWN & COUNTRY MPV............           113       105,993        1.0661
170 KIA MOTORS........................  SPORTAGE......................             9         8,638        1.0419
171 SUBARU............................  LEGACY........................            82        79,809        1.0275
172 ISUZU.............................  HOMBRE PICKUP TRUCK...........            13        12,993        1.0005
173 ISUZU.............................  OASIS.........................             4         4,001        0.9998
174 FORD MOTOR CO.....................  MERCURY VILLAGER MPV..........            53        57,403        0.9233
175 GENERAL MOTORS....................  OLDSMOBILE AURORA.............            20        22,349        0.8949
176 FORD MOTOR CO.....................  CROWN VICTORIA................            95       108,250        0.8776
177 CHRYSLER CORP.....................  CARAVAN \1\...................             1         1,140        0.8772
178 SUBARU............................  IMPREZA.......................            14        16,337        0.8570
179 GENERAL MOTORS....................  SATURN SW.....................            14        16,539        0.8465
180 SAAB..............................  SAAB 900......................            19        22,516        0.8438
181 GENERAL MOTORS....................  CADILLAC FLEETWOOD............             7         8,346        0.8387

[[Page 6607]]

                                                                                                                
182 GENERAL MOTORS....................  BUICK FUNERAL COACH/HEARSE....             1         1,457        0.6863
183 GENERAL MOTORS....................  BUICK LESABRE.................            33        52,129        0.6330
184 BMW...............................  Z3............................             6        11,542        0.5198
185 GENERAL MOTORS....................  BUICK ROADMASTER..............            11        21,495        0.5117
186 HONDA.............................  ODYSSEY.......................             8        19,266        0.4152
187 GENERAL MOTORS....................  OLDSMOBILE 98.................             5        14,383        0.3476
188 AUDI..............................  A6............................             3         9,269        0.3237
189 FIAT..............................  FERRARI F355..................             0           286        0.0000
190 GENERAL MOTORS....................  GMC C1500 SIERRA PICKUP.......             0         5,912        0.0000
191 GENERAL MOTORS....................  GMC G1500/2500 SAVANA VAN.....             0         2,113        0.0000
192 GENERAL MOTORS....................  CHEVROLET G1500/2500 CHEVYVAN.             0         9,271        0.0000
193 GENERAL MOTORS....................  CHEVROLET C1500 PICKUP........             0        14,441        0.0000
194 GENERAL MOTORS....................  CADILLAC LIMOUSINE............             0         1,598        0.0000
195 JAGUAR............................  XJR...........................             0           506        0.0000
196 LAMBORGHINI.......................  DB132/DIABLO..................             0            35        0.0000
197 MITSUBISHI........................  PICKUP TRUCK..................             0           725        0.0000
198 ROLLS-ROYCE.......................  BENTLEY CONTINENTAL R.........             0            47        0.0000
199 ROLLS-ROYCE.......................  BENTLEY BROOKLANDS............             0            87        0.0000
200 ROLLS-ROYCE.......................  BENTLEY AZURE.................             0            84        0.0000
201 ROLLS-ROYCE.......................  BENTLEY TURBO R/TURBO RL......             0            66        0.0000
202 SUBARU............................  SVX...........................             0           852        0.0000
203 VECTOR AEROMOTIVE.................  AVTECH SC/M12.................             0            11       0.0000 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Special production of vehicles for sale only in Puerto Rico under the Chrysler nameplate.                   

    Issued: January 29, 1998.
L. Robert Shelton,
Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.
[FR Doc. 98-3196 Filed 2-6-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P