The Dow Jones industrial average clung to a small gain yesterday to set another record, while other investors took a defensive stance before key economic data due today. The Dow surrendered most of a 65-point afternoon gain, closing 7.67 points higher at 8,121.11, but that was enough to beat Thursday's record finish at 8,116.93.

With no major economic reports trading was fairly quiet as investors prepared for a rush of data due throughout the rest of the week.

Advances barely outnumbered declines on the New York Stock Exchange, with 1,442 up, 1,427 down and 537 unchanged.

NYSE volume totalled 463.70 million shares, against 519.65 million in the previous session.

The Standard and Poor's 500stock list fell 2.34 to 936.45, the NYSE composite index fell 0.87 to 485.93, and the Nasdaq composite index fell 4.61 to 1,564.97.

The American Stock Exchange composite index rose 1.55 to 639.35, beating last Wednesday's record close at 638.03.