The strong U.S. economy of the late 1990s has revived the pulp and paper industry, which reported production gains of 5.1% in 1997, more than twice the average annual pace of growth of the prior 10 years. U.S. pulpwood production also rebounded in 1997, posting production gains of 5% over the previous year. Softwood and hardwood lumber production is again climbing, both up 2% from 1996 levels. [Miller Freeman]