Abstract: A composite support assembly for an integrated circuit chip includes a rigid lead frame that is attached to a relatively thin flexible tape-like structure. The tape-like structure is etched with inner lead fingers and outer lead fingers to allow a short pitch, high density arrangement of the lead fingers, thereby enabling bond wires that connect an IC chip to the support assembly to be shortened. As a result, a significant increase in the number of leads is realized, using a standard size IC package.