HOUSTON -- Stevie Franchise soon will be cashing paychecks befitting his nickname.

	Francis

Steve Francis, heading into the final year of a four-year, $14.1 million contract with the Houston Rockets, has agreed to a six-year extension at the NBA maximum, which should be between $80 million and $90 million once the new salary cap is established.

"They're willing to put that significant amount of money on the line that we can get some results,'' Francis said Monday. "When a lot of guys get healthy, I think we can have one of those seasons (this year) that we'll always remember.''

Francis is among the Rockets trying to get healthy. He is recovering from surgery on his right shoulder and is treating an inner-ear disorder that caused debilitating headaches last season.

The injury and the headaches, diagnosed as Meniere's Disease by the Mayo Clinic, kept Francis out of 25 games. He said Monday his ear treatment is going well and doesn't anticipate headaches to recur this season.

Also returning from injuries are Maurice Taylor, who missed all of 2001-02 with an injured right Achilles tendon and guard Glen Rice, who was lost in January with a hurt right knee.

Owner Les Alexander gushed at the prospect of his returning veterans joining first-round picks Yao Ming, the 7-foot-5 center from China who was the NBA's No. 1 overall choice, and Slovenian forward Bostjan Nachbar.

"The talent that's coming back now is just unbelievable,'' Alexander said.

Despite Yao's much-anticipated arrival, the contract solidifies the 25-year-old Francis as the Rockets' go-to guy, as the headrests of his white Mercedes-Benz that sport the embroidered word "Franchise'' attest.

The 6-foot-3, 195-pound Francis was an NBA All-Star for the first time last season. Often playing in pain, he averaged 22 points, seven assists and seven rebounds last season.

Francis said he's eager to fully assume the team's leadership role as the Rockets try to transform from a rebuilding club into a contender.

"I think it'll be a good opportunity, not only in being a leader in talking or yelling, but proving things on the court,'' Francis said. "I will be judged, definitely, on how much we win and how much we lose, and I'm ready for that next step.''

Francis, drafted No. 2 overall in 1999 by Vancouver, was traded three years ago Tuesday after refusing to sign with the Grizzlies. He was the league's co-rookie of the year that season.

Francis and Rockets officials talked to reporters about the extension in a downtown temporary building across the street from where the team's new arena is under construction. The arena is expected to be ready for the 2003-2004 season.