Data from a nationwide sample survey of all types of nursing homes in the conterminous United States—their facilities, staff, residents, and discharges—conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics from May through December 1977. The data, presented in 43 tables according to standard variables, are grouped into six categories: facility, staff, financial, resident, discharge, and charge characteristics. Estimates presented measure utilization, staffing patterns, cost of providing care, health and functional status of residents and discharges, and payment for care. In four appendixes the survey methods are detailed, terms are defined, survey forms are reproduced in facsimile, and criteria are offered