But that latter, dismal number could reflect lack of trying, rather than lack of access.

The dismal numbers showing Mr. Bloomberg ahead by several thousand votes were whispered across the room.

During this time, the station was still suffering from dismal numbers in the Arbitron ratings.

Compare that with his dismal numbers in the first three quarters: 15 of 29 for 101 yards, a touchdown and 3 interceptions.

A Gallup poll released last month showed that public confidence in journalism had reached a new low, with television news and newspapers receiving the same dismal number.

And yet the dismal numbers have continued, and so have the debacles.

Specialty retailers as a group reported strong same-store sales largely in comparison with the dismal numbers from the year before.

Prep for Prep is making a dent in those dismal numbers.

Moreover, their current earnings look even better compared with the dismal numbers last spring, when the resort's business was afflicted by the Persian Gulf war.

At the half, the teams shared dismal offensive numbers: 140 yards total offense for the Patriots, 143 for the Jets.