The rate increase was the first in more than eight months.

A decision on the rate increase is expected early next year.

The rate increase for each of the past two years has been 5.5 percent.

In either case, they say, another rate increase could drive growth to less than 2.5 percent.

He said the company had not received a rate increase in almost three years.

But July is still too early for a rate increase.

He does not expect a rate increase until late 2002 or early 2003.

With these costs, the rate increase would be about 27 percent.

That, they said, could open the door to a rate increase later this year.

"We are not going for a rate increase in 1994."