BUSINESS MEMO: ECONOMY PREDICTED GOOD

The nation's economy will grow moderately this year, inflation will be restrained and the unemployment rate will remain less than 6 percent for the third straight year, top economists predict.

A survey of 47 economists by Blue Chip Economic Indicators, released last week, was the latest assurance that the nation is not falling into recession despite signs of a slowing economy.

The consensus forecast sees 2.2 percent expansion both this year and next, compared to anticipated growth of just 1.6 percent in 1995.