The General Accounting Office today released the most comprehensive Government study so far on the costs of the savings and loan bailout, placing a total price tag on the debacle of nearly half a trillion dollars, including more than $130 billion from taxpayers.

The figures were roughly in line with previous estimates, and included both direct and indirect costs as well as interest payments that will stretch out for decades.

The money went to clean up the financial mess from the failure of more than 700 savings institutions in the 1980's and early 1990's as a result of mismanagement, fraud and an economic downturn in states like Texas and California.

"The bad news in this report is that the cost of the failure of many thrift institutions, with interest, approaches half a trillion dollars and that taxpayer accountability due to bonds issued will continue through the year 2030," said Representative Jim Leach of Iowa, a Republican who is the chairman of the House Banking Committee.