If all these new jobs are inflationary, the evidence is missing from the Labor Department's wage data.

Our business is to collect the wage data and employer contributions used to determine eligibility and pay unemployment insurance benefits to workers.

Those worried about inflation were somewhat reassured by the wage data in today's report.

It has been suggested, however, that this issue can be resolved if wage data is examined over a period of time.

Many more people, in other words, may be able to afford a cellular phone than the official wage data would indicate.

In addition, labor organizations nominate half of the Federal employees who collect wage data from private enterprise employers.

The bureau's wage data, from its "job displacement" surveys done every two years, are clear on this point.

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Although the latest wage data were generally in line with the expectations of private analysts, some found the figures worrisome and others did not.

The institute's wage data are probably accurate, but they go only through the middle of 1993, which is the President's first six months in office.