Speculation in Massachusetts has focused on the seat of Representative Chester G. Atkins, a four-term Democrat from Boston's northwestern suburbs.

Mr. Dyson, a four-term Democrat, added at a news conference here that his preliminary investigation of the reports indicated that most had been "out of context."

As the four-term Democrat now prepares to run for re-election in 1994, he is trying hard - perhaps a bit too hard - to make sure that he defines himself.

Mr. Stupak, a four-term Democrat whose wooded district is three times the size of New Jersey, shares his constituents' love of deer hunting, going out every year with his 19- and 16-year-old sons.

Last November, Mr. Benigni ran for mayor without being affiliated with a political party and defeated a four-term Democrat.

Actually, there is little danger that Mr. Tuttle will win in November against the solidly entrenched four-term Democrat, Patrick J. Leahy.

A more vulnerable incumbent may be Senator Max Baucus of Montana, a four-term Democrat and the only member of his party in office elected in a statewide vote.

Freshman incumbent who in 1994 rode a wave of anti-Clinton sentiment to beat a four-term Democrat.

Of the seven House races, incumbents in five ran unopposed, and a sixth, William J. Jefferson, a four-term Democrat, ran against two political unknowns.

Representative Greg Laughlin, a four-term former Democrat who made a highly publicized party switch last year, lost on Tuesday night in his first try for a Republican nomination.