31.   Ms. Place said the research firms provided crucial input into her technology decision-making, though she insisted she did not make final choices based on reports or recommendations.

32.   Prospective employees also liked the fact that the firm provides full coverage for employee medical insurance, she added.

33.   Securities firms rarely provide such a public glimpse of bonuses, which usually constitute the bulk of pay on Wall Street.

34.   Skates declined to say which firms would provide the machines, though he ruled out the possibility that Compaq Computer Corp. would be among them.

35.   Some firms provide their employees dinner up to four nights a week, occasionally with spouses and children at the table.

36.   Some temp firms provide health coverage to their long-term employees.

37.   Temp firms might also provide some help.

38.   The chairman of its compensation committee is James Berick, whose law firm provides services to MBNA.

39.   The firm provides accounts payable and other audit services to retailers.