EVERY year, scores of cats fall from open windows in New York City. From June 4 through Nov. 4, 1984, for instance, 132 such victims were admitted to the Animal Medical Center on 62d Street in Manhattan.

Most of the cats landed on concrete. Most survived. Experts believe they were able to do so because of the laws of physics, superior balance and what might be called the flying-squirrel tactic.

In a study for the medical center, Dr. Wayne Whitney and Dr. Cheryl Mehlhaff recorded the distance of the fall for 129 of the 132 cats. The falls ranged from 2 to 32 stories, with an average distance of 5.5 stories. Two cats fell together. About a quarter fell during daylight hours, and about 40 percent at night. For the rest, the time of the fall was unknown. Surprising Data on Falls

Three cats were seen falling by their owners. Two were described as having fallen while turning on a narrow ledge, and the third had lunged for an insect.