ORANGE COUNTY EARNINGS

Interpore Cross International: The Irvine manufacturer of synthetic bone and tissue products and spinal implant devices reported fourth-quarter net income of $788,000, or 5 cents a share, down 26% from the $1.1 million, or 8 cents a share, recorded a year ago. Sales grew 22% to a record $8.2 million from $6.7 million.

For the year, the company reported a net loss of $2.4 million, or 17 cents a share, which included merger-related expenses, restructuring and nonrecurring charges totaling $5 million. For 1997, the company earned $4.4 million, or 14 cents a share. Sales advanced 6% to $30.2 million from $28.4 million.