August 4, 1997

Dickson Concepts (International) to buy 51 percent of bankrupt Barney's Inc for $78 million and provide some $127 million in new financing; deal includes $42 million note to be repaid by Isetan Co for use of chain's name in Asia; Barney's creditors, including Isetan, would divide $205 million and remaining 49% of chain; co-chief executives Bob and Gene Pressman would have role in reorganized company; Bob Pressman hails deal, phone interview (M)

SAYING NO TO WORKFARE -- Two of New York City's best-known churches have joined a coalition of nonprofit groups that are refusing to hire workfare participants. B3. LOOKING AHEAD -- The formal announcement by the Rev. Floyd H. Flake that he would resign from Congress was expected, but was not lacking in drama and poignancy. B3. TWINS FOUND DEAD -- Three-year-old twin brothers were found dead in Greenwich, Conn., inside a parked car whose interior was stifling, the police said. B4.

Takeshi Murakami, Othello board-game world champion, will play six-game match in Princeton against computer program developed by researcher Michael Buro (New Jersey Daily Briefing) (S)

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who has played pivotal role in Supreme Court decisions on race-conscious Government policies, will again be in spotlight as Court prepares to take up case against Piscataway, NJ, school district, which was sued after it dismissed a white teacher to preserve a black teacher's job; photo (M)

Crazy but Correct Viola A San Francisco violist's instrument is designed to ease orthopedic problems but it seems to owe more to Dali than to Stradivari. Page C9. A U.S. Sweep at 100 Meters Maurice Greene and Marion Jones restored some luster to American sprinting by winning 100-meter titles at the world track championships in Athens. SportsMonday, page C1. William S. Burroughs Dies William S. Burroughs, a renegade writer of the Beat Generation who stunned readers with his 1959 book ''Naked Lunch,'' was 83. Page D11.