FOOTHILL GROUP <FGI> SEES BETTER FIRST QUARTER Don Gevirtz, chairman of The Foothill Group Inc, told Reuters the company's first quarter results will be up sharply over last year's eight cents a share. "First quarter results will be dramatically better," he said following a presentation to analysts. He cited a sharp drop in non-earning assets, healthy asset growth and lower expenses. He declined to predict specific results for the first quarter. In the 1986 first quarter, the commerical finance company earned 606,000 dlrs, or eight cts per share. Gevirtz also declined to predict full year results, but said, "We expect an excellent year." In 1986 Foothill earned 3,239,000 dlrs, or 41 cts per share. Analysts expect Foothill to record earnings of 65 cts to 85 cts a share in 1987. During the presentation Gevirtz said Foothill has reduced to less than five pct the company's level of non-performing assets, which was as high as eight pct in previous years. David Hilton, chief financial officer, said the company's general and administrative expenses in 1987 will be reduced to about 3.0 to 3.5 pct of average assets from 4.3 pct in 1986. The company had average assets of 399.8 mln dlrs from continuing operations and 29.8 mln dlrs from discontinued operations in 1986, according to its annual report.