PacifiCare is out of the red, but still in the fray.

PacifiCare of Washington, which racked up operating losses of more than $131 million between 1996 and 1998, is solidly back in the black.

The Washington unit of Santa Ana, Calif.-based PacifiCare Health Systems Inc. was in danger of being sold if it couldn't be turned around back in 1997, when the HMO sent up executives Chris Wing and Don Costa to repair the damage.

Costa, the chief financial officer who recently succeeded Wing as chief executive, says they've turned it around.

For 1999, PacifiCare of Washington bolted into the black with net operating income of $1.6 million. And for 2000, according to the health insurer's filing with state …