It has cost the city 8,000 jobs that would have resulted from the constrution, city officials and local economists say.

But local economists and social-service workers are less confident.

For one, local economists began to recognize the riverfront's massive recreational and economic development potential.

More importantly, local economists point out, the volume of capital flight has slowed to a manageable, though still troublesome, $500 million a day.

And if fundamental changes do not occur, 1988 will see the national currency become worthless, according to diplomats, local economists and trade union leaders.

Real income, according to local economists, has fallen to levels earned 30 years ago.

Which made the Mocker the local political economist, and probably Tuan's speech-writer.

Other estimates by foreign and local economists range as high as 40 percent.

But the population continues to grow faster than the economy, local economists said.

A quick fix to hyperinflation, say local economists, is almost certainly possible.