UPDATE 1-Argentina says October inflation 0.8 percent

* Education, clothing costs boost October's inflation

* Gap between govt data and private estimates is narrowing

(Adds details, comments)

BUENOS AIRES, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Argentine inflation was 0.8 percent in October, boosted mainly by increases in education and clothing prices, the INDEC national statistics agency said on Thursday.

The monthly figure was below a median forecast for a 1.0 percent increase in a Reuters poll of seven analysts. Estimates in the survey ranged from 0.6 percent to 1.0 percent.

It was the fourth consecutive month that INDEC has reported inflation that was slightly higher than in the preceding months. Analysts said this suggested the government may be trying to gradually narrow the gap between official price data and private estimates.

"The gap between the official inflation readings and 'true' inflation is narrowing, a trend that we expect to continue in the coming months as the government tries (albeit gradually) to rebuild the credibility of the official statistics," Carola Sandy, an analyst for Credit Suisse in New York, said in a report.

Education-related costs led October's price increases, climbing 1.4 percent, followed by clothing costs, which rose 1.3 percent, INDEC said in a statement.

Argentina reported September's inflation rate at 0.7 percent while consumer prices rose 0.4 percent in October 2008 ARECI09.

October's increase in prices brought accumulated inflation to 5.8 percent since Dec. 2008, the report also showed. (Reporting by Vivianne Rodrigues; Editing by Theodore d'Afflisio)