STRONG-COUPLING, UNIFICATION, AND RECENT DATA

The prediction of strong coupling assuming (supersymmetric) coupling c onstant unification is reexamined. We find, using the new electroweak data, alpha(s)(M(z)) approximate to 0.129 +/- 0.010. The implications of the large alpha(s) value are discussed. The role played by the Z b quark width is stressed. It is also emphasized that high-energy (but n ot low-energy) corrections could significantly diminish the prediction . However, unless higher-dimension operators are assumed to be suppres sed, at present one cannot place strong constraints on the superheavy spectrum. Nonleading electroweak threshold corrections are also discus sed.