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Computer vendors' efforts to cut costs seem to be working, and most large companies will record profits in 4th qtr 1993. An industry observer says IBM will show a 4th qtr profit of about 73 cents a share, which compares with a loss of $5.46 billion after $7.4 billion of charges in the same period in 1992. IBM's revenue for the quarter increased by 2 percent to $20 billion from $19.56 billion. The increase was driven by 40 percent growth in microcomputers, which is now IBM's biggest business, and 25 percent growth in services. HP has replaced DEC as the nation's second-largest computer company and continues to grow rapidly. DEC could show a modest profit in its 2nd qtr ended Dec 31. An analyst foresees a profit of 10 cents a share, which compares with a loss of $73.9 million, or 57 cents a share, a year earlier.