FORMER Rangers and Scotland player Jim Baxter was last night in a

stable condition after being given a new liver.

He became the Scottish Liver Transplant Unit's 50th patient since it

opened a little under two years ago.

A spokeswoman at Edinburgh's Royal Infirmary, where the transplant

unit is based, said yesterday Baxter was in the hospital's intensive

care unit. ''The first 48 hours are crucial,'' she said.

The decision to give a liver transplant to 55-year-old ''Slim Jim'', a

legend in Scottish football with a history of heavy drinking, has

sparked some controversy.

He is likely to remain in intensive care for at least a few days. A

further hospital statement is expected later today.

The operation was carried out on Saturday by a team led by surgeon Mr

James Garden. He would not comment on the controversy.

Since it opened in November 1992, 183 patients have been referred for

consideration of liver transplantation. In only a third has it been

considered appropriate treatment.

Until the former footballer's operation, a total of 49 liver

transplants had been undertaken for a variety of liver conditions.

In the majority of patients transplantation is considered for the

progression of chronic liver disease which has been unresponsive to

other forms of medical therapy.

In a smaller number the liver disease pursues a much more rapid course

which can result in the patient's death in a few days following the

onset of symptoms.

A total of 28 patients have presented with acute symptoms and 12 have

died before a suitable donor-liver became available.

''There has been much speculation in the press recently regarding the

specific indications for liver transplantation and, in particular,

whether patients who may have alcohol-related disease should be

considered for transplantation,'' said the hospital.

''Alcohol-related liver disease is one of the commonest causes of

liver failure and in the vast majority of individuals, abstinence from

alcohol will enable the injury to the liver and the patient's health to

improve.''

The hospital said that the results for transplantation in patients

with alcoholic liver disease were excellent. ''In Edinburgh only four

patients have undergone transplantation in whom alcohol was felt to have

played a significant role in their liver disease.''

At any one time there are approximately 100 patients awaiting liver

transplantation in the UK -- 49 died last year awaiting treatment.

The hospital said the decision to submit any patient with liver

disease to a liver transplant, ''is not taken lightly''.

''This decision can only be made with full knowledge of the patient's

medical condition, a thorough assessment, and with the transplant team

taking into account the best interests of the individual patient and

their family.''