Oct 28 (Reuters) - Computer chip equipment maker ASM

International reported third-quarter bookings below

market expectations on Tuesday, hit by a larger-than-expected

drop in orders from Chinese chipmakers.

Bookings, the industry's most closely watched figure, came

in at 637 million euros ($743 million) in the third quarter of

the year. That compared with an average 719 millions euros

expected by analysts, according to research firm Visible Alpha.

($1 = 0.8575 euros)