PHILADELPHIA - More than 80 percent of area residents would favor a bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympics, though nearly half doubt the city would be chosen, a new poll showed.

A telephone survey of 1,000 households in 10 counties in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware was taken on behalf of a volunteer panel looking into the feasibility of bidding for the games.

About half those who supported making a bid said they thought the event would be good for the economy or create jobs, while opponents worried about the cost to the city, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Wednesday. The newspaper said it obtained a copy of the results.

"These results are unusually positive, compared to the tone we've seen in other cities in other years," said Joe Goldblatt, a Temple University professor of tourism and hospitality management who has done research for the International Olympic Committee.

Joseph M. Torsella, chairman of the Philadelphia 2016 Working Group, declined to comment, citing a gag order imposed on local committees by U.S. Olympic Committee Chairman Peter Ueberroth.

Officials from the U.S. committee are expected to meet with potential bidders in the coming weeks.

The U.S. organization is expected to determine an American candidate, if there is one, by mid-2007. The International Olympic Committee won't select the 2016 host city for nearly four years.