FACTBOX: What the analysts are saying about oil prices

(Reuters) - The threat of an economic slowdown in the United States has placed oil's record rally toward $100 a barrel on shaky ground, raising the specter of a potential steep sell-off in the coming months.

Following are analysts' quotes:

BILL O'GRADY, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF MARKET ANALYSIS AT A.G. EDWARDS, ST. LOUIS:

"The broader issues are tied to economic growth. There are two issues: the first are the secular issues, which are tied to broader trends in the economy and consumer preference along with population growth. The second is cyclical, which is basically the economic cycle."

"On a secular level, growth in India and China are playing a huge role in energy demand and probably will for the rest of my lifetime. On the other hand, the cyclical issues could have a significant downward impact on price."

"The question is, will China and the rest of Southeast Asia be hurt by a cyclical U.S. slowdown?

"If the United States goes into recession and Asian growth is impacted as a result, a $20 or $30 downward swing in oil prices should not be unexpected."

JIM RITTERBUSCH, PRESIDENT, RITTERBUSCH & ASSOCIATES, GALENA, ILLINOIS:

"One of the key drivers for this market has been this concept of a tightening of supplies in the fourth quarter. However, with yesterday's IEA report cutting demand projections sharply, that takes a lot of steam out of the rally. I think we're on the cusp of a further sell-off that could bring us down to about $89 a barrel."