09/15/97 DOES GATEWAY HAVE A MAP?

DOES GATEWAY HAVE A MAP?

FOR THE SECOND QUARTER in a row, Gateway 2000 is warning that profits will be lower than expected. The PC maker, which had been forecast to earn 47 cents a share in the third quarter, says operating income will be ''marginal'' and the company will take a special charge for investments in information systems. Chairman and CEO Ted Waitt says the company is taking steps to ''get our business back on track.'' But analysts wonder whether Gateway can regain its footing under pressure from both Dell Computer and Compaq.
EDITED BY KELLEY HOLLAND