UPDATE 1-Sodexo resists downturn, H1 margins stable

* H1 like-for-like sales up 3.7 pct

* H1 net income flat at 219 million euros

* H1 operating margin flat at 5.5 pct

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PARIS, April 23 (Reuters) - French contract catering and services group Sodexo (EXHO.PA) said it was resisting the downturn well as it kept its margins and net income stable in its fiscal first half and maintained its full-year forecast.

The company, whose services range from prison food to smart cards, made a net income of 219 million euros ($283 million) on revenues of 7.633 billion euros in the six months to Feb. 28.

Operating margin remained flat at 5.5 percent.

"Sodexo showed good resistance to the severe global economic crisis during the first half," Sodexo Chief Executive Michel Landel said in a statement issued on Thursday.

Sodexo said it expected full-year comparable sales growth of between 2-5 percent and operating profit of between 730 milion euros and 760 million euros. ($1=.7738 Euro) (Reporting by Astrid Wendlandt; editing by Simon Jessop)