INSIDE SPORTS THROWS A CHANGE-UP IN MAGAZINE COMPETITION

          Inside Sports magazine, currently a monthly, will
     introduce a 17-issue annual cycle beginning in '98 that will
     "maximize coverage during the year's most active sports
     periods."  The IL-based Century Publishing publication will
     publish bi-weekly during April, September, October, November
     and December (Inside Sports).  
          GOING TO THE RACK: The sports magazine marketplace was
     examined by Keith Kelly of the N.Y. DAILY NEWS. Inside
     Sports and Sport, "perennial challengers" to SI, are making
     a "renewed push at the champ."  By increasing frequency,
     Inside Sports is "hoping to give its circulation a 25,000
     boost to 750,000."  Sport is planning a "glossier" look with
     its "major redesign," and "waiting in the wings is Disney,
     which poses the biggest threat yet," with its launch of an
     ESPN bi-weekly set for early '98 (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 4/15).