Bachrach played up his commitment to the graduated income tax as an example of his liberal politics.

Roosevelt, pledging to change the Democratic party, said in his administration he will "emphasize personal responsibility and opportunity."

And Barrett, referring to his 1990 article in the Atlantic Monthly on education reform, pledged to improve educational standards in Massachusetts.

"I want Massachusetts once again to have the best schools in the U.S.," Barrett said.

Dwight D. Robson, a Roosevelt campaign spokesperson, said yesterday that the Roosevelt campaign's most recent poll places Roosevelt in the lead with 40%, Bachrach second with 12% and Barrett third with 7%, leaving 41% of likely Democratic primary voters undecided.

But David M. Osborne, Barrett's campaign manager, countered that he has sensed some movement this weekend of undecided voters toward Barrett.

"It's breaking our way," Osborne said.

In order to woo undecided voters, Osborne said Barrett has placed a $40,000 media buy for advertisements between Labor Day and the primary.

Robson said Roosevelt will have spent only $300,000 on advertising during the same period.