LOUISVILLE, LAS VEGAS LAUNCHING CAMPAIGNS TO LAND ROCKETS

          Louisville and Las Vegas "have emerged as the front-
     runners to lure" the Rockets, who "admit they face an
     uncertain future" in Houston, according to Eric Berger of
     the HOUSTON CHRONICLE.  After the May 6 Kentucky Derby, a
     Rockets delegation will visit Louisville, which "has just
     completed a report analyzing what it needs to do to attract"
     an NBA team, and Las Vegas, which "has updated a study on a
     proposed sports arena."  Sources say that the Rockets'
     "efforts remain focused on negotiating to stay in Houston,
     although discussions are ongoing with other cities." 
     Rockets sources "confirmed" that team Owner Les Alexander
     "has spoken a few times" with Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman,
     and that "other cities mentioned in the past as possible
     contenders to attract" the team, including New Orleans and
     Baltimore, are "now unattractive" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 4/26).