Costa Mesa, Calif. Continuing its steady turnaround, Apria Healthcare Group announced robust second-quarter earnings that allowed the company to prepay on its debt.

Apria earned $17.8 million, or 33 cents a share, for the quarter ended June 30, compared to a net loss of $9 million, or a loss of 17 cents a share, for the same period a year earlier. For the six months ended June 30, Apria earned $33.3 million, or 63 cents a share, compared to a loss of $15.5 million, or 30 cents a share, for the same period a year ago.

Chief executive officer Philip Carter reported increases in revenues and gross profit percentage, and a reduction in expenses for selling, distribution and administration. Apria also was able to make a $50 million prepayment to reduce its bank debt.

The company embarked on a restructuring program last year, installing a new management team, trimming its work force and selling money-losing operations. As a result, the company's stock price, which peaked around $34 in 1996 and plunged as low as $2.56 last October, has climbed as high as $22.06 in recent weeks. -K.G. HC