Women-owned businesses continue to hold their own; some succeed, some fade, some disappear vs. last year.

Most of the 10 largest women-owned businesses on this week's List retained their standing from a year ago, but there was still some shakeup overall.

Revenues at some companies changed drastically between 1991 and 1992, which was reflected in movement either up or down The List. Other companies vanished altogether because they were sold and are no longer women-owned.

But staying firmly at No. 1 on the List was Canoga Park-based Redken Laboratories Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of hair and skin care products.

Among the largest 25 companies, El Segundo-based Wareforce Inc. made the biggest climb, moving from a ranking of No. 18 on last year's List to No. 10 this year. The company's revenues surged 54 percent, from $10 million during 1991 to $15.4 million in 1992.

"We simply have maintained a standard of quality and service and pricing that has left competitors by the wayside," said Anita Gabriel, chief executive of Wareforce, which sells personal computer software and hardware.

Los Angeles-based Hughes Aircraft Co. gave Wareforce a "Superior Performance" award for services it provided during 1992, Gabriel said. Wareforce contracts with Hughes.

Wareforce has also become an authorized dealer for more product lines since 1991, including Apple, Compaq, Hewlett-Packard and Dell, Gabriel said.

Santa Monica-based Sheldon L. Pollack Corp. took the biggest nose dive on this year's List, plunging from No. 9 to No. 17.

The real estate slump is to blame, said Eileen Pollack Erickson, vice president and chief financial officer of the construction company. "Frankly, we're delighted to still be hanging in there," she said.

"The past three years have been terrible," she added, "but we're definitely survivors."

Erickson said she is optimistic about 1993 though. "Things have really picked up for us this year. We have lots of contracts for the next six to 12 months," she said.

Although Santa Monica-based Williams Television Time only moved up one notch in the rankings, from No. 4 to No. 3, the company's revenues shot up 61 percent.

"We were on a tremendous growth curve and took in quite a bit of business in 1992," said company spokeswoman Laura Fox.

Fox credited the growth to an overall surge in the infomercial industry. Williams is a marketing firm specializing in the production and management of infomercials.

JP Marketing Services, a Santa Fe Springs-based marketing services company, made its debut on this year's List, taking the No. 25 spot.

Business at JP Marketing has been picking up as companies downsize and farm out more work to outside services, said Erik Stroman, marketing and operations manager.

Three companies among the top 25 on last year's List have disappeared from this year's because they are no longer owned by women.

Long Beach-based Arlin Personnel Services Inc., ranked No. 13 last year, was bought in January by Cambridge, Mass.-based TAD Technical Services Corp.

Ofcco Constructors Inc., No. 17 on last year's List, was sold in September 1992 to Bakersfield-based ARB Inc., a construction service company. Ofcco is located in Long Beach.

And Marilyn Cohen, co-founder and president of Beverly Hills-based Capital Insight Brokerage, sold her interest in that securities brokerage firm to her co-founding partner, Jay Goldinger, in October 1992.