Three-way multidimensional scaling methods are used to study the differences between
UK failed and continuing companies from 1993 to 2001. The technique allows for
visual representations of the results, so that qualitative information can be brought to
bear when judging the health of a company. It is shown that it is important to take into
account company size and area of activity. Results also suggest that the ratio structure
of the companies varies between years in response to changes in the interest rates,
suggesting that the frontier between failing and continuing firms moves in response to
the economic cycle
