In June 2000, when first-time claims were only about 280,000, the economy lost jobs.

And first-time claims for unemployment benefits fell by 7,000 last week.

First-time claims rose to 350,000, from a revised 333,000 the previous week.

First-time claims for unemployment benefits rose to the highest level in more than a month.

First-time claims for unemployment insurance fell to 391,000, from 402,000 the previous week.

The number of first-time claims for jobless benefits dropped by 7,000 last week.

First-time claims for unemployment benefits fell last week to 364,000, their lowest level in almost two years.

In a separate report, the department said today that first-time claims for unemployment benefits eased 5,000 last week, to a total of 314,000.

A third set of figures today showed that first-time claims for unemployment benefits fell 6,000, to 365,000, in the week ended last Saturday.

First-time claims for unemployment insurance slipped in early June to 407,000, down from a revised 409,000 a week earlier.