Despite the impressive numbers in container cargo increases, the 2002 figures masked some frustrations.

But that figure masks the severity of the shortage, experts say.

That figure masked a 9.1 percent fall in clothing sales and a reduced share of the market.

However, that figure masked a big increase of eight-tenths of a percentage point in order backlogs.

The net figure, however, masked a much greater level of both job losses and gains among different companies.

But these figures masked a trend that soon undermined the financial viability of individual dance companies.

But that figure masks the fact that most want to work.

The total figures masked broader swings in the fortunes of individual firms.

But private analysts said the figure masked the progressive contraction of the economy that started in the late summer.

Yet this figure masks the problem, Federal officials concede, because it includes people with hemophilia who were born after 1985.