Among them were Conseco, the insurance giant that filed for bankruptcy protection last month, and Samsonite, the luggage maker, whose shares traded at 38 cents last Friday.

The luggage maker also opened a travel shop in the GUM store in Moscow's Red Square.

WHEN the travel industry bites a lemon, luggage makers pucker; since fewer people are taking vacations, luggage sales are expected to be down 5 percent for 1991.

Not to be outdone, other luggage makers have engaged designers like Tommy Hilfiger and Ralph Lauren to dress up their bags in Technicolor.

Part of this is a pure business decision, as luggage makers are trying to jump-start an industry that's been in something of a sales slump since Sept. 11.

But with overall travel on the rebound, luggage makers hope new hues will keep sales momentum going.

It remains as the world's most popular luggage maker today.

Goyard, the French luggage maker known as La Maison Goyard, uses a pattern of three juxtaposed chevrons on its signature painted canvas designs.

Ticket-sized leaflets are to be distributed by airlines, travel agents, luggage makers and others.

Perhaps it was because the luggage makers were close by, or perhaps well-heeled Europeans were more inclined to pop off for the weekend.