Since the day the Gulf War began in mid-January, the stock market has forged ahead and rarely looked back. Investors have continually pinned their hopes on an economic recovery. Even now, as the economy's outlook appears increasingly confused, investors seem reluctant to leave stocks for very long. Friday closes for the Dow Jones industrial average (except for latest) Monday close: 2,972.72, up 29.52 Monday Ends With a Rally The Dow index avoided a "Meltdown Monday" after Friday's 120.31-point plunge; by the close Monday the Dow had recouped 29.52 points. Highlights: * While most key stock indexes rebounded, falling stocks still outnumbered winners 950 to 726 on the New York Stock Exchange. * Trading volume of 242 million shares on the NYSE was heavy but barely above Friday's level of 239 million. * Most investors showed little reaction to Friday's Dow plunge, apparently believing it doesn't signal a major market shift.