But staff economists in Congress expect that by this time next year it will be clear that the deficit for fiscal 1990 was actually about $130 billion.

The Council is supported by a staff of professional senior economists, staff economists and research assistants, as well as a statistical office.

"The study is good," Sylvia admitted, offering the staff economist a brief smile.

Kenneth Goldstein, a staff economist, said advertising volume suggested "that the improving trend in the labor market is likely to continue into the fall."

He does other things, too, such as being a senior staff economist on President Reagan's Council of Economic Advisers.

Before that, he was a staff economist for President Ford's Council of Economic Advisers.

From 1983 to 1998 he was a staff economist for the Federal Open Market Committee.

Cooper served on the Council of Economic Advisers from 1961 to 1963 as the senior staff economist.

From 1990 to 1997, he was a staff economist at the Federal Trade Commission in Washington.

Its staff economists believe more strongly in the supply-side tenet that lower tax rates produce higher revenues by stimulating economic activity.