Healthy Sales

Sporting equipment sales in the U.S., led by exercise machines and golf products, totaled $15.7 billion in 1996, up about 2% from $14.8 billion in 1995. A look at the most popular sporting equipment sold in the nation last year:

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Category 1996 sales, in billions Exercise machines $2.6 Golf 2.2 Firearms/hunting 1.7 Fishing 1.6 Camping 1.5 In-line skating 0.6

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Source: Sporting Goods Manufacturers Assn.

Researched by JENNIFER OLDHAM / Los Angeles Times