At the top of women's totem poll

Topping the list of the 25 most influential women in the United States this year are Billie Jean King, the controversial tennis champion, and Katharine Graham, the communications magnate.

Sandra D. O'Connor, the first woman to sit on the Supreme Court, stepped into the national limelight too late to get on the list, compiled by The World Almanac from ballots sent to its participating newspapers.

Mrs. Graham has been on the list every year since its beginning in 1977. Mrs. King appeared once before, in 1977.

The new faces on the list this year include Nancy Reagan, Lillian Hellman, Katharine Hepburn, Jeane Kirkpatrick, and Dolly Parton.