US STOCKS-Wall St slides as jobs, Fed data temper optimism

* Data shows job market's weakness persists

* Philadelphia Fed's survey worse than expected

* U.K. rating outlook cut weighs on sentiment

* Dow off 1.6 pct; S&P off 1.7 pct; Nasdaq off 2.1 pct

For up-to-the-minute market news click [STXNEWS/US] (Updates to early afternoon)

By Edward Krudy

NEW YORK, May 21 (Reuters) - U.S. stocks slid on Thursday as signs of further job market weakness and a disappointing Fed regional survey added to doubts that the economy was set for quick recovery.

The decline in stocks came in unison with sell-offs in other U.S. asset classes, including Treasury bonds and the dollar.

A reduced credit rating outlook for Britain also heightened investor concern that similar actions may loom elsewhere and reinforced fears that European economies may act as a drag on a global economic upturn. (For details, see [ID:nLL627240])