Martin J. McLaughlin, a prominent lobbyist, contributed $10,000 to candidates in 1993.

To fight it, the industry has hired many former members of Congress as well as prominent lobbyists.

One prominent lobbyist said a former Senate aide was offered a starting salary of $500,000.

Microsoft quickly decided that it needed to be a major player here and, first thing, hired a phalanx of prominent lobbyists.

A very prominent Jewish lobbyist in Washington, who asked not to be identified by name, was more blunt.

And it is common knowledge that some of the most prominent lobbyists in Washington have not registered.

Mike Long is a prominent lobbyist, political strategist, and former legislative aide in Pennsylvania.

"This change puts bipartisan firms back in vogue," said one prominent Republican lobbyist, who asked not to be named.

Many of Mr. Gore's former aides and campaign advisers are prominent lobbyists.

"I have not seen a year like this," said Roger Bodman, a prominent Republican lobbyist.