THE ECONOMY

CEOs Predict Improving Economy: The captains of American industry forecast a pickup in the pace of economic growth but savaged President Clinton’s health care program as a threat to future prosperity. While the sales picture is brightening in everything from cars to clothes--leading to moderate growth prospects for late 1993--the prestigious Business Council of Fortune 500 CEOs said higher taxes and health care costs could slow the recovery next year. The group’s semiannual report was compiled by 18 chief economists to the blue-chip executives, who gathered in this colonial town to swap industry news and hear from top government officials.