Bank of America, which has its own investment bankers, did not retain outside advisers.

In this position he first retained French advisers to organise and train his artillery companies.

Late last week, the Bancrofts authorized the family trustee, Michael B. Elefante, to retain legal and investment banking advisers to evaluate the bid.

LIKE many politicians, William F. Galvin has retained advisers on matters of image, style and political appeal.

"It's our view that if the Taubman independent board members haven't already retained separate advisers, they need to do so, and fast," he wrote, referring to legal as well as financial advisers.

The chairman of Circon, Richard A. Auhll, wrote a letter to employees in August saying the company had "retained expert financial and legal advisers to help us prevail, no matter what U.S.S.C. does."

Without a coach since hiring Graf's ex-mentor, Pavel Slozil, in December only to fire him in April, Capriati has decided to retain advisers on a special-events basis for the time being.

Mr. Lieberman has shown that he is more than willing to speak to Republican and Democratic constituencies, and to retain advisers who can help him reach both.

In many cases, even the advisers have retained advisers, and so far no fewer than 27 firms are playing primary roles among the three camps.

The Senate has retained separate legal advisers.