MANY LOW INCOME AREAS OF THE U.S. POSSESS NATURAL ATTRACTIONS WHICH CAN BE USED AS A BASIS FOR ESTABLISHING EITHER PART OR FULL-TIME RECREATIONAL ENTERPRISES. THE SUCCESS OF PEOPLE UNDERTAKING THESE TYPES OF BUSINESS VENTURES DEPENDS ON THEIR MANAGERIAL ABILITY IN ASSESSING DEMAND, ACQUIRING THE NECESSARY CAPITAL, BUILDING APPROPRIATE FACILITIES, SATISFYING CUSTOMERS, AND MAINTAINING RELATIVELY LOW COSTS. THIS REPORT SUMMARIZES DATA OBTAINED FROM STUDIES ON RECREATIONAL ENTERPRISES IN 6 AREAS OF THE U.S. WHICH WERE MADE TO DETERMINE THEIR FINANCIAL SUCCESS. CASH INCOME EXCEEDED EXPENSES FOR 86 PERCENT OF THE 254 RECREATIONAL ENTERPRISES ANALYZED, BUT MOST OF THE BUSINESSES RETURNED LESS THAN $10 PER DAY TO OPERATOR AND FAMILY LABOR. SUCCESSFUL OPERATORS ATTRIBUTED THEIR SUCCESS TO--(1) LOCATION ON OR NEAR A PAVED ROAD OR NEAR A PUBLIC RECREATIONAL AREA, (2) ADVERTISING, (3) WELL-TRAINED EMPLOYEES, (4) A VARIETY OF FACILITIES TO INTEREST THE ENTIRE FAMILY, (5) WELL-DEVELOPED COMMUNITY ENTERPRISES THAT ENCOURAGE A LONGER SEASON, (6) AN ATTRACTIVE FACILITY, AND (7) GOOD SERVICE AND CATERING TO INDIVIDUAL WISHES OF CUSTOMERS. THOSE RECREATIONAL BUSINESSES CAPABLE OF YEILDING ENOUGH INCOME TO SUPPORT A FAMILY REQUIRED FULL-TIME EFFORTS OF AT LEAST ONE WORKER AND AN INVESTMENT OF OVER $50,000. THEY INCLUDED YOUTH CAMPS, MINNOW FARMS, SHOOTING PRESERVES, DUDE RANCHES, AND RECREATIONAL COMPLEXES. (ES)