There seemed to be agreement in the world's press that the escape of the 14-year-old karmapa, the third-ranking leader in Tibet's spiritual hierarchy after the Dalai Lama and the panchen lama, embarrassed practically everybody.

He is the third-ranking Democratic leader in the House, and he tried to persuade Democratic colleagues and their leader, Richard Gephardt, to back President Clinton on "fast track" trade legislation.

When Joseph N. Gallo, the family's consiglieri, or counselor, and third-ranking leader, was convicted of racketeering in 1987, Mr. Gotti elevated Mr. Gravano to the job, prosecutors say.

The whip is the third-ranking leader in the House, and the position has sometimes been a stepping stone to the posts of majority leader and Speaker.

At the front sat the 17th Karmapa Lama, third-ranking leader in Tibetan Buddhism - a figure considered almost a god by many Tibetans.

Among those arrested, Mr. Creighton said, were the gang's second- and third-ranking leaders.

Representative David Bonior of Michigan, the Democratic whip and third-ranking Democratic leader, said, "My sense is that we're probably not going to do it this year."

Complaints also followed news accounts, later denied by the Justice Department, that Representative William H. Gray 3d, now the third-ranking Democratic leader in the House, was under investigation by the bureau.

In a much smoother presentation, Falur Rate Laek, the third-ranking leader of the separatist insurgency known as Falintil, called for peace, brotherhood and a bright future for East Timor.

By his senior year Mr. Perot was a battalion commander, the third-ranking leader of midshipmen.