The latest revenue figures show state tax collections have grown by nearly 9 percent over the past six months, giving the state a surplus of more than $70 million. But with half of the 2004-05 fiscal year left, economists expect some of that surplus to be absorbed by leaner months ahead.

Still, the numbers give state leaders reason to believe Utah is firmly out of the national recession.

"It's a volatile report. [The statistics] can really fluctuate from month to month," said Richard Ellis, director of the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget. "We don't get too caught up in the numbers. We're seeing positive trends. But we're not ready to bank any surpluses."

The monthly revenue summary through Nov. 15 shows collections of sales, income, franchise, beer, cigarette, tobacco and severance taxes all surpassed state economists' projections. Insurance premium taxes were down slightly from state targets. Still, the Utah Tax Commission's logs show an additional $47 million in the state's general fund and uniform school fund. And with increases in fuel taxes, Utah's transportation fund is ahead more than $4 million.

Those numbers don't include an extra $20 million in sales and income taxes reported after the deadline. The increased revenues boosted the state's overall growth rate from a projected 1.8 percent to 8.6 percent to date.

Tax Commission Chief Economist Doug Macdonald says the revenue figures are proof Utah's economy is growing. But Macdonald says the current surplus will decline before the end of the fiscal year, June 30, 2005.

"There will be some surplus. But it will not be as high," he said.