Also. . .

* German drug maker Hoechst said it is cooperating with a U.S. antitrust investigation of price-fixing allegations while it seeks approval of the planned combination of its drug and agrochemical units with those of French drug maker Rhone-Poulenc.

* Pier 1 Imports Inc. said its fiscal third-quarter earnings rose 14% to $19.1 million, or 19 cents a share, a penny higher than estimates, as the home-furnishings chain controlled expenses to offset weaker-than-expected sales. Revenue rose 4.5% to $274.6 million and sales at stores open at least a year rose 3%.