The rumbling within the ranks exploded in late January, when 25 state coordinators gathered in a conference call to trade stories about high-handed behavior by Perot aides and advisers.

Perot aides appeared concerned that the Texan's drive could be blunted by accusations about his character.

Perot aides gave reporters photocopies of a handwritten note from Mr. Bush, written in December 1986, thanking Mr. Perot for providing him with the information.

Perot aides say they are not sure what that means, and an official at the Idaho Secretary of State's office says the state's election laws do not define the term.

Perot aides said he was likely to exercise that option.

Former Perot aides have said that the man who once asserted that he could eliminate the Federal deficit "without breaking a sweat," was taken aback by the economic plan.

Those prescriptions, including higher tax rates and deep cuts in Federal entitlements, may be the subject of a second 30-minute program to be shown on Friday night, Perot aides said.

Thomas W. Luce 3d, the chairman of the Perot Petition Committee, said that Sharon Holman, a longtime Perot aide, would become the campaign's press secretary.

Perot aides have said that such attacks are the type of character assassination typical of recent Republican Presidential campaigns.

Perot aides said his name was being used only as a "stand-in candidate" until a Reform Party nominee is chosen in September.