An attempt to create hundreds of low-power community FM radio stations was dealt a significant blow last week after Congress sharply curtailed the effort in an amendment to a budget bill that President Clinton is slated to sign.

One prominent Republican is saying the fight's not over yet. But a rider buried inside an appropriations bill reduced the number of potential stations by as much as 75 percent.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John McCain (R-Ariz.) will seek to overturn the rider when the Senate reconvenes on Jan. 3, an aide said yesterday.

McCain "will make it one of his committee's top priorities to repeal this provision as early as possible," said Mark Buse, staff director to the Commerce Committee.

"He thinks that this being added to an appropriations bill is an atrocity, and that it will hurt minorities and small churches and organizations that want to broadcast local information," Buse said.