Also . . .

* MCI WorldCom Inc., the No. 2 U.S. long-distance telephone company set to buy Sprint Corp., said that Tim Price, head of its core communications group, will leave the company early next year. Price, who served as MCI Communications Corp.’s president before the telephone company merged into WorldCom Inc., has been rumored to be leaving the combined company ever since that $40-billion deal closed last year. MCI WorldCom said it has not yet determined whether Price’s role will be filled. After his departure, Price will continue as an advisor to MCI WorldCom Chief Executive Bernie Ebbers.

* Food processor ConAgra Inc. said it will combine its five beef operations into one unit, renewing questions about whether the business may one day be sold, analysts said. The new company, to be called ConAgra Beef Co., will market products under the brand names Armour, Four Star Beef, Miller Blue Ribbon Beef, Monfort and Signature.