The beleaguered insurance giant has been struggling the last two years, partly because of its costly acquisition of Green Tree Financial, which finances mobile-home purchases.

Fifth-best turnaround was achieved by Phoenix in 1988-89, going from 28-54 to 55-27, in large measure because of the Suns' acquisition of Tom Chambers.

But the company reduced its earnings guidance slightly for the full year because of its recent $2.6 billion acquisition of Skype Technologies, while still increasing its revenue forecast.

Federated Department Stores, in the news this week because of its announced $11 billion acquisition of May Department Stores, was up 1.8 percent for February.

Warnaco's debt has ballooned in the last year because of its acquisition of Authentic Fitness, but the company's cash flow is still solid.

The media industry is watching the company closely because of its pending acquisition of control of Hughes Electronics and its DirecTV satellite television business.

Seagram was an attractive target because of Mr. Bronfman's razzle-dazzle acquisition tear.

Analysts say the company's short-term financial prospects are good because of its recently completed acquisition of the Ford Motor Company's Canadian glass operations.

But the company has been struggling the last two years, partly because of its costly and seemingly ill-fated acquisition of Green Tree Financial, which finances purchases of mobile homes.

Boehringer may have become expendable in the last week because of San Diego's acquisition of the left-hander Randy Myers.