''I'm not supposed to say anything,'' Mrs. Taylor said, laughing, ''because my son is the local campaign director for Vice President Bush.''

But her son, Jeff, sat in the audience, along with a number of New Hampshire politicians. Among them were Ruth Griffin, a member of the state's Executive Council, which shares power with the Governor. Mrs. Griffin is a vice chairman of Mr. Bush's campaign organization in New Hampshire.

''Isn't this something,'' Mrs. Griffin said. ''It's bigger than the turnout for Dole or Kemp or Robertson or Haig,'' she said of the Republican candidates who have been to the local Rotary Club.

Mrs. Griffin was skeptical that Mr. Trump, a registered Republican, would have a chance if he entered the New Hampshire primary at this late date, since the other candidates are so far ahead in organization and fund raising. ''But it depends on if you have a trail, a reputation,'' she said, and Mr. Trump clearly had the celebrity today.

His arrival by helicopter and speech were covered by more than 25 journalists, including a team from the ABC News program, ''20/20,'' and the major Boston television stations.

Mr. Trump appeared at the Rotary Club luncheon at the invitation of Michael Dunbar, a conservative local Republican organizer who has expressed dissatisfaction with the Republican candidates. Mr. Dunbar has put together a draft-Trump movement with the 1,000 signatures necessary to enter him in the Republican primary if Mr. Trump indicates a willingness to run.

Mr. Trump, however, told the audience today that ''I'm not here because I'm running for President. I'm here because I'm tired of our country being kicked around and I want to get my ideas across.''