March 31, 1982

Four Army paratroopers died and dozens were injured today when a large airdrop designed to test the Pentagon's ability to respond quickly to trouble around the world went awry in the California desert. Later in the day, The Associated Press reported, military officials said that at least 71 soldiers had been injured, three of them critically. Eight other soldiers were also hospitalized.

The offices of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith are in a terribly diplomatic part of town, on that long stretch of street across from the United Nations choked with Mercedes Benz automobiles bearing DPL license plates and with quiet square buildings housing organizations like the Turkish Center and the African-American Institute. The Anti-Defamation League building has a tastefully lighted beige lobby and an enormous glass cubicle blocking the elevators. ''No one may go upstairs except by invitation,'' says the security guard in the blue uniform, as though this was Studio 54. By invitation, the New York City transit negotiations are being held inside. There are always undercurrents in this city, and at the end of March, in an even-numbered year, the transit talks are among them. For a time, there are only small signs of activity, like the plumes of smoke that rise sometimes from subway gratings.

The index of leading economic indicators dropped 0.3 percent in February, the 10th consecutive monthly decline, the Commerce Department reported. It said the new figure showed that the economy was still in recession. Officials also revised downward figures reported for December and January. Thus, a December rise of 0.6 percent became a decline of 0.8 percent and a January decline of 0.6 percent became one of 1.2 percent. (Page D1.) The economy will be weaker than predicted in both the second quarter and the second half, according to Treasury Secretary Donald T. Regan. (D1.) President Reagan's economic forecast was rejected as overly optimistic by the G.O.P.-dominated Senate Budget Committee. (D6.) John B. Connally predicted economic chaos if interest rates and projected deficits aren't reduced within 60 days. (A27.)

The JWT Group, parent of the J. Walter Thompson advertising agency, said yesterday that ''irregularities'' previously disclosed in the agency's syndication department exceeded $30 million and that at least two clients had been billed for TV spot commercials they did not get. Previously, Thompson estimated the irregularities at $24.5 million and said that, to the best of its knowledge, none of its clients had been improperly billed. The holding company also said it had concluded that Marie Luisi, senior vice president and head of its JWT Syndication unit and spot media buying, ''was responsible for the improper activities'' and that she was being dismissed as of today. Mrs. Luisi had been suspended without pay since Feb. 3. Mrs. Luisi, reached by telephone and made aware of the company's charges, said she would leave all comment to her lawyer, Ivan S. Fisher. Speaking on her behalf, Mr. Fisher said: ''The days of David and Goliath are over. It doesn't seem likely that this one woman could wreak such havoc unless Thompson is being less than candid.''

The five rightist parties that ran behind the moderate Christian Democrats in Sunday's election said today that they had joined in a caucus aimed at establishing a working majority in the new constituent assembly. Leaders of the collaborating parties said their ''government of national unity'' did not yet constitute a coalition but that they hoped they could produce one by the time the new assembly convenes in mid-April. That development would have the effect of reducing the Christian Democrats, the party that led all the others with some 41 percent of the vote, to a minority opposition role.