Some traders reported that rates have soared to as high as 18 or 19 percent, from 14 percent just a few weeks ago.

One important factor: profit margins soared to 29 percent in the first quarter from less than 22 percent a year ago.

In this atmosphere, the yield on the 30-year bond has soared from 7.31 percent at the beginning of October to 7.63 Friday.

The yield on the Treasury's 30-year bond soared to 7.54 percent, from 7.33 percent.

The inflation rate has soared from 13 percent in 1991 to more than 50 percent today.

And the share of wages represented by payments for various social insurance programs has soared, from 26.5 percent in 1970 to 42.3 percent today.

Its yield soared to 8.68 percent, from 8.45 percent at the Tuesday close.

Total European government debt has soared from 40 percent of gross domestic product in 1980, to 75 percent currently.

The result: The profit margins for the three books have soared to 36.4 percent this year, from 29.3 percent in 1991.

Medical spending soared from less than 6 percent of household consumption in the early 1960's to almost 17 percent today.