March 14, 1988

LEAD: Alain Madelin, as France's Minister for Industry, has pushed French industry to prepare itself for 1992 - the deadline that the 12 nations in the European Community have set for creating a truly common market by eliminating their internal commercial, financial and customs barriers.

LEAD: Since Frank Lorenzo acquired Eastern Air Lines Inc. in 1986, he has warned that unless its unions, particularly the machinists, make major concessions on wages and work rules, large parts of the airline could be sold or spun off as subsidiaries.

LEAD: The Coca-Cola Company, maker of that most American of products, earned more money from soft drinks in Japan last year than it did at home - despite a record year in the United States.

LEAD: COMPANIES A rescue plan for First City Bancorporation of Texas is in jeopardy because creditors have balked at its provisions. Federal agencies are weighing alternative moves. [ Page D1. ] Hachette of France offered $415 million for Grolier, a major American educational publisher.

LEAD: Six days a week, Carlos Salinas de Gortari heads out on the campaign trail to crisscross Mexico by train, bus and helicopter, shake the hands of poor peasants, middle-class housewives and factory workers, confer with local political bosses and spend millions of dollars, all part of his effort to be elected President of Mexico in July.