RIM forecast disappoints some, but still strong

*Outlook falls short of only the highest expectations

*Analysts see RIM growing stronger despite recession

*Revenue jumped 53 pct, profit up 33 pct in latest results

(In U.S. dollars unless noted)

By Wojtek Dabrowski TORONTO, June 19 (Reuters) - Research In Motion (RIM.TO: Quote, Profile, Research)(RIMM.O: Quote, Profile, Research) shows every sign of holding its own in the face of the recession and stepped-up competition for its BlackBerry smartphone, even though its latest earnings and revenue forecasts disappointed some investors.

Shares of the Waterloo, Ontario-based company fell almost 5 percent on Friday, a day after it issued an outlook for the current quarter that analysts still considered to be robust.

The drop by the stock belies a flurry of favorable comments by analysts about the company's chances of pushing forward with surprising growth during a difficult patch for the global economy.

It may partly reflect concern as Apple Inc (AAPL.O: Quote, Profile, Research) began selling a new iPhone model on Friday, and has cut prices for older models of the smartphone, which competes with the BlackBerry Storm in the consumer market. Palm (PALM.O: Quote, Profile, Research) has also unveiled a potential new threat with its Pre smartphone.