Don Sipple, a consultant who works for many middle-of-the-road Republicans, says that he senses a nervousness among them as well.

Maybe there is room for a middle-of-the-road Republican.

Mr. Alexander's conservative bona fides are also suspect, because he has the reputation and record of a middle-of-the-road Republican who is not driven by ideological passion.

"The convention remains a huge embarrassment, at least for middle-of-the-road Republicans," said John Deardourff, a Republican strategist.

Mr. Snow, though also a middle-of-the-road Republican, has also been an advocate of more fundamental tax changes and is well liked by tax cutters like Mr. Moore and former Representative Jack Kemp.

Stephen Udall called himself a moderate Democrat; Chris Udall called himself a middle-of-the-road Republican.

Mr. Boehlert and the 30 or 40 middle-of-the-road Republicans among the 231 members of the party in the House are a big enough bloc to do in Mr. Gingrich's budding revolution if they choose.

Calling himself a moderate Democrat, Mr. Tyson talks as if he would be just as comfortable among middle-of-the-road Republicans.

Governor Wilson begged middle-of-the-road Republicans to boycott the event, remain in their districts to campaign and thus deny the conservatives a quorum.

There is also a fear, expressed even by middle-of-the-road Republicans, that impeaching Mr. Clinton would set loose right-wing forces in the Republican Party.