For the second year in a row, U.S. medical schools have received fewer applications from would-be doctors, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Various explanations are offered: the strong job market, growing financial pressure on doctors, the impact of managed care, the loss of physician autonomy and the elimination of some affirmative action programs.

• About 41,000 people applied to medical schools this year -- a decline of 5 percent from last year.

• The number of applicants peaked in 1996 at 46,968 -- but declined 8 percent in 1997.

• Nationally, the number of minority applicants remained about the same -- 4,479 this year, compared to 4,516 last year.

• States which eliminated their affirmative action programs -- such as California, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas -- registered minority enrollment declines.

Still, observers say that with 16,000 positions for new medical students each year -- and 2.5 applicants for each slot -- the situation is far from critical.

Source: Robert Davis, "Med School Applications Down for Second Year," USA Today, November 2, 1998.