Even without a recession, the surplus could easily disappear.

But Pentagon officials said the surplus disappeared after the gulf war.

But there would be no money for such programs if the surplus disappeared.

When I get a good grip on you, tax revenues plunge and the surpluses disappear - as well they should, to see me go.

But how will the accounts be financed once the surpluses disappear?

But when the final budget document appeared, the request to cut the surplus had disappeared, he said.

The surplus disappeared, replaced the next year with a budget deficit that has since grown to a record size.

After the end of apartheid in 1994, wine exports increased and surpluses disappeared.

On the other side, more cautious analysts warn that the surplus can quickly disappear if the economy starts to falter.

The real story here is not that the surplus disappeared.