Oct 17 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures extended

gains on Thursday after a larger-than-expected rise in monthly

retail sales pointed to a healthy U.S. consumer.

Retail sales rose 0.4% in September on a monthly basis,

compared with an estimate of 0.3%, according to economists

polled by Reuters. Retail sales excluding automobiles rose 0.5%,

versus the 0.1% forecast.

Separately, data showed the number of Americans filing new

applications for unemployment benefits was 241,000 for the week

ended Oct. 12, compared with an estimate of 260,000.

At 08:30 a.m., Dow E-minis were up 70 points, or

0.16%, S&P 500 E-minis were up 27.25 points, or 0.46 and

Nasdaq 100 E-minis were up 170 points, or 0.84%.