Economy Grows at 7.2 Percent.

Byline: Jim Bohman

Oct. 31--DAYTON, Ohio--After months of drifting, the United States' economy soared in the third quarter and many Dayton area businesses, especially retailers, saw sales jump.

The Commerce Department reported that the gross domestic product jumped at a 7.2 percent annual rate in the July through September period. It was the strongest pace in nearly two decades.

The high growth rate, the best showing since 1984, beat the forecasted 6 percent gain, the agency said. Gross Domestic Product measures the value of all goods and services produced in the nation.

In the Dayton area, new car sales at Interstate Ford in Miamisburg …