1.   Conoco and Phillips also suffered from lower refining profits.

2.   Falling refining profits provide to coup de grace to an ailing industry.

3.   GAINS SEEN IN BIG OIL EARNINGS Big oil companies are generally expected to report strong first- quarter earnings, because of strong refining profits.

4.   Higher refining profits also helped the top five U.S. oil companies post larger-than-expected earnings this year.

5.   In Asia, refining profits were hurt by scheduled maintenance at some of its plants.

6.   In Asia, refining profits were hurt by scheduled maintenance.

7.   Like Exxon Corp., which also reported its third-quarter results today, Texaco benefited from strong refining profits.

8.   Like Exxon Corp. and Amoco Corp., which also reported results today, Texaco benefited from strong refining profits in the third quarter.

9.   Lower oil prices and strong gasoline demand will help refining profits exceed expectations, analysts said.

10.   Many U.S. oil companies have reported better-than-expected third-quarter results because of strong refining profits.