1.   And executives close to both MCA Inc. and Walt Disney Co. said that neither company would be a buyer at the current price.

2.   Another Big Bank Merger in Japan Sanwa Bank of Japan is negotiating to join the merger of Asahi Bank and Tokai Bank, executives close to the deal said.

3.   Apple Computer Inc. is actively looking for a friendly merger candidate, several executives close to the company said Wednesday.

4.   As part of the investment, U S West was contemplating spinning off Rainbow to shareholders, executives close to the discussions said.

5.   BASF CONSIDERS SALE OF DRUG UNIT The German chemicals giant BASF is considering selling its Knoll pharmaceutical unit, executives close to the company said.

6.   BellSouth plans to announce the deal Thursday morning, executives close to the company said Wednesday.

7.   A deal could be reached by the end of the week, executives close to the talks said.

8.   A Fox statement labeled the change a resignation, but several executives close to Grushow said he had been dismissed by Murdoch.

9.   But BellSouth insisted that it not be a junior partner to SBC, executives close to the talks said, and in the end SBC agreed to share control.

10.   But executives close to Kozmo said that a deal seemed much less likely.