DURING 1973, OVER 1,500 KIDNAPPINGS INCLUDING NUMEROUS KIDNAPPINGS OF BANK OFFICERS, JEWELRY MERCHANTS, AND STOCK BROKERS, TOOK PLACE. A STUDY OF 298 KIDNAPPING-EXTORTION CASES INVOLVING BANKS REVEALED THAT MOST KIDNAPPERS WERE MALE, HALF WERE BETWEEN 21 AND 30 YEARS OF AGE, TWO-THIRDS WERE RESIDENTS OF THE SAME CITY OR LOCALE IN WHICH ABDUCTIONS OCCURRED, AND SLIGHTLY MORE THAN 70 PERCENT WERE UNEMPLOYED OR EMPLOYED AS LABORERS. INSURERS ARE RELUCTANT TO RELEASE INFORMATION ABOUT KIDNAPPING INSURANCE TO THE PUBLIC, BUT MANAGEMENT SHOULD BE AWARE THAT SUCH COVERAGE IS AVAILABLE. KIDNAPPING POLICIES COVER EXECUTIVES AND DESIGNATED EMPLOYEES IN CORPORATE ENTERPRISES. ADVANTAGES OF PRIVATE SECURITY PROTECTION FOR EXECUTIVES INCLUDE AN EMOTIONAL SENSE OF SECURITY WITH A BODYGUARD, PRESENCE OF A BODYGUARD AS A DETERRENT, AND THE BODYGUARD'S INTERVENTION IN AN ATTEMPTED ABDUCTION. DISADVANTAGES CONCERN THE POTENTIAL FOR VIOLENCE, THE DEFLECTION OF KIDNAPPERS AWAY FROM AN EXECUTIVE TOWARD FAMILY MEMBERS, AND DISPARITY BETWEEN THE EXPERTISE OF A BODYGUARD AND DETERMINED AND RESOURCEFUL KIDNAPPERS. COMMON SENSE GUIDELINES INCLUDE A FOSTERING AWARENESS THAT ONE COULD BE KIDNAPPED, INSTITUTION OF DEFENSE MEASURES AT THE CORPORATE LEVEL AND BY INDIVIDUAL EXECUTIVES, THE FILING OF PERSONAL INFORMATION TO ASSIST IN THE INVESTIGATION OF AN ABDUCTION, MAKING PLANS ANTICIPATING ACTION TO TAKE IF AN ACTUAL OR A FAKE KIDNAPPING OCCURS AND FOR HANDLING THE MEDIA, STUDYING APPROPRIATE HOSTAGE BEHAVIOR, AND WORKING WITH THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. TRIP PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT KIDNAPPINGS DIRECTED AT EXECUTIVES LIVING OR TRAVELING ABROAD ARE DISCUSSED. (DEP)