MOVIES - Jan. 28, 1988

The Century City law firm of Dern, Mason & Floum has sued actor Ben Gazzara, claiming he owes more than $97,000 in legal fees and interest from the handling of his divorce. In a suit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, the law firm claims it began representing Gazzara in his divorce in May, 1980, and that he promised to pay the fees. Gazzara, 58, who lives in New York, made payments until February, 1986, leaving an unpaid balance of $97,397, the suit said. Gazzara could not be reached for comment.