CHICKEN CALLED A BETTER DEAL THAN LAWYER

American consumers say they are getting their money's worth when they buy chicken, fresh fruit, and vegetables, TV sets and appliances, and when they rent videotapes, according to a survey of 7,000 families by The Conference Board. Other perceived good values included meat, pet food, haircuts, fish, electricity, restaurant meals, and telephone service.

But consumers believe they are getting a relatively ``poor'' value for their money for lawyer's services, hospital care, credit card charges, cable television (especially pay TV channels), and auto insurance.

The list of bad values included movie admission, sports events, bank service charges, used cars, and college tuition.