March 13 (Reuters) - U.S. stock index futures extended

gains slightly on Friday as investors assessed data on inflation

and economic growth for cues on the Federal Reserve's policy

path.

The Personal Consumption Expenditure index, the Federal

Reserve's preferred inflation gauge, rose 0.3% in January, on a

monthly basis, in line with economists' estimates of a 0.3%

rise. On an annual basis, it rose 2.8% versus expectations of a

2.9% rise.

Core PCE, which excludes the volatile food and energy

components, rose 0.4% on a monthly basis, in line with

economists' forecasts of a 0.4% rise.

Meanwhile, the Commerce Department's second estimate showed

gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.7% in the previous

quarter, compared with 1.4% growth expected by economists polled

by Reuters.

At 8:31 a.m. ET, Dow E-minis were up 201 points,

or 0.43%, Nasdaq 100 E-minis were up 102.25 points,

or 0.42%, and S&P 500 E-minis were up 29.75 points,

or 0.44%.