WE FILA YOUR PAIN: SPORTS COMPANY REPORTS 1Q NET LOSS

          Fila Holdings SpA reported a net loss of $8.7M, or $.32
     per share, in the first quarter ending March 31, compared
     with a net loss of $8.7M, or $.33 per share, in the same 
     quarter a year ago, according to Kristine Henry of the
     Baltimore SUN.  Fila CEO Michele Scannavini said that
     "despite a quite slow market," in which net sales fell 15%
     from '98's first quarter, "we are progressing at a steady
     rate," and noted that numbers in Germany are up 34%.  But
     Fila's net revenue dropped "nearly" 11%, down to $271.9M, as
     U.S. footwear sales were down 51%, to $38.8M, and apparel
     sales were down 4%, to $23.4M.  Scannavini: "The large
     majority of the decline is explained by the collapse in
     [basketball shoes], our previous stronghold" (SUN, 5/7).