Preheat oven to moderate (350). Stir together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, allspice and salt in small bowl. Beat butter in large bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Beat in vanilla. Gradually beat flour mixture into butter mixture until blended. Stir in oats and dates. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart, on ungreased baking sheets. Bake in preheated moderate oven (350) until golden, about 15 minutes. Remove cookies from baking sheets to wire racks to cool. Variation: Substitute raisins for the dates. Nutrient Value Per Cookie: 117 calories, 2 g protein, 4 g fat, 18 g carbohydrate, 89 mg sodium, 22 mg cholesterol. cook 042