Women, Blacks Lose Ground

According to statistics compiled by the Alliance for Justice, a liberal lobbying group in Washington:

* The number of black US judges fell between 1981 and 1992, from 49 to 43.

* Whereas President Carter appointed 40 women in his four years in office, President Reagan appointed 31 in his eight years, and President Bush appointed 36 during his one term.

But President Reagan appointed the first female justice to the Supreme Court, Sandra Day O'Connor, and President Bush appointed the second black justice, Clarence Thomas.