[metapost] Scientific format for large numbers

[Richard Vernhes]

Hello,
I have a problem regarding the scientific format of numbers in Metapost. Here is
my script:

input format;
input sarith;
input marith;
prologues:=0;
beginfig(1);
label.(format("%3g",32000),(0,0));
endfig;
end

When I run Metapost, include the figure in a .tex file, run latex (Miktex 2.4)
and dvips, and look at the resulting .ps file, I obtain 3.2x10^4, as expected,
but x10^4 is written on the line below 3.2. Is there a way to solve this
problem and get the whole number written on the same line?
Thank's