MARINERS ANNOUNCE $4M LOSS IN '97, DOWN FROM $13M IN '96

          The Mariners said that they lost $4M in '97, despite
     setting records in attendance and increasing revenues by
     35%, according to David Schaefer of the SEATTLE TIMES.  Last
     year "was the best year financially since Nintendo and a
     group of local investors bought the team" in '92.  Team
     President Chuck Armstrong said that he "expects losses to
     increase this year because of higher player salaries," but
     that the team "expects to break even or become profitable"
     when the new ballpark opens in '99.   Armstrong: "We are
     gratified the loss was only $4 million."  Schaefer wrote
     that losses in '96 were $13M (SEATTLE TIMES, 2/10).