PREVIEW-Argentine economy seen showing Oct recovery

* What: Argentine October economic indicator

* When: Tuesday, Dec. 22 at 4 p.m. (1900 GMT)

* Median view: 0.8 pct year-on-year growth

By Walter Bianchi

BUENOS AIRES, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Argentina's economy picked up its pace of expansion in October as car manufacturing, construction, steel, and consumer spending all drove a tentative recovery, economists say.

In a Reuters survey of five analysts the median and average outlook was for 0.8 percent growth in October's Monthly Economic Activity Estimator, or EMAE indicator. Estimates ranged from negative 0.3 percent to positive 1.7 percent.

The EMAE expanded 4.6 percent in October last year and 0.6 percent in September this year ARECI14.

"Consumer spending has recovered, and we also saw that in consumer confidence and supermarket sales," said Soledad Perez Duhalde, analyst at Exante consulting firm.

Argentine supermarket sales rose 5.1 percent in October from a year earlier, the government reported in November. A private measurement by Torcuato Di Tella University's Financial Research Center shows that consumer confidence has recovered since March this year.

Argentina's economy slowed sharply starting in the third quarter last year, after six years of very strong growth, hit by lower commodities prices, a severe drought, and the global financial crisis.

The monthly indicator contracted in May, June and July this year, on an annual basis, before starting to show signs of recovery in August.

The government forecasts economic growth of 0.5 percent this year, although most private estimates are for an economic contraction. Official Argentine economic data has been widely criticized as overoptimistic.

The government is due to publish the indicator at 4 p.m. (1900 GMT) on Tuesday. (Additional reporting by Juliana Castilla; Translated by Fiona Ortiz)