EQUITABLE LIFE EYEING POSSIBLE SUIT AGAINST CELTICS

          The "issue of insurance fraud could take center stage"
     in the case of the late Reggie Lewis, as The Equitable Life
     Assurance Society of N.Y. is "looking into" a lawsuit as an
     option to recover "at least" $5M from the Celtics, who had
     purchased a policy on Lewis's life, according to Benjamin
     Lipson of the BOSTON GLOBE.  Lipson: "Sworn depositions both
     presented and not presented at [the Lewis trial] exhibits,
     and testimony alleging cocaine and marijuana use by the late
     Celtic star would be the cornerstones to attempt to reclaim
     the money."  The Equitable has paid the team $17M, $12M in
     '93 and an additional $5M in '94, as part of the team's
     policy on Lewis.  Efforts by Lipson to reach Celtics COO
     Richard Pond were unsuccessful (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/15).