H. ROSS PEROT: (I)

Birthplace: Texarkana, Texas Education: US Naval Academy Public career:

* Never held elected office.

* Began his own softwarer company in 1962 with $1,000. Sold it in 1984 for $2.4 billion. In 1979, he hired commandos and participated in a raid in Iran to free two of his employees who were held hostage.

* Headed task force on education reform for the state of Texas, 1983.

* The Perot Group, run by Ross Jr., donated $14 million and 400 acres out of a 4,800 acre parcel for the Alliance Airport to relieve congestion in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Won FAA approval.