WASHINGTON, April 7(Reuters) - New orders for key U.S.-manufactured capital goods increased more than expected in February, but data for the prior month was revised sharply lower, suggesting some moderation in business spending on equipment in the first quarter.

Non-defense capital goods orders excluding aircraft, a closely watched proxy for business spending, rose 0.6% after a downwardly revised 0.4% drop in January, the Commerce Department's Census Bureau said on Tuesday. 

Economists polled by Reuters had forecast these so-called core capital goods orders increasing 0.4% after a previously reported 0.1% gain in January. 

The Census Bureau is still catching up on data releases following delays caused by last year's government shutdown.