Some prominent forecasters have already made sharp changes in their figures.

So far, not even the most pessimistic of the 50 prominent forecasters polled each month by Blue Chip Economic Indicators see a recession in 1996.

Listen, for a moment, to the optimism of John Lipsky, chief economist at J. P. Morgan Chase, and one of America's most prominent forecasters.

Thus, despite frustration with their shortcomings, prominent forecasters like the University of Michigan appear superior to the available alternatives.

The Blue Chip Economic Indicators' September survey of 50 prominent forecasters, released over the weekend, endorsed Mr. Blinder's assessment.

Fifty prominent forecasters estimate, in the latest monthly survey by the Blue Chip Economic Indicators, that the economy is currently growing at an annual rate of only 2.2 percent.

That was the highest estimate submitted by any of the 50 prominent forecasters surveyed in December 1993 by Blue Chip Economic Indicators.

All but a handful of prominent forecasters expect this Presidential election year to be one of growth.

Fifty prominent forecasters surveyed monthly by Blue Chip Economic Indicators, a newsletter, are predicting 1996 growth of about 2 percent, or a bit higher.

A prominent forecaster, Mark Zandi of Moody's Economy.com, predicted that the economy would be "off and running" next year.