Based on the assumption that demographic data regarding persons who utilize public assistance is the best starting point for effective public assistance programs, the author examines such data for several groups of welfare-vocational rehabilitation clients. The hazards of viewing these people from the aspects of emotional problems, character defects, etc., are explained and illustrated. The demographic variables of age, sex, marital status, living arrangement, number of children, race and education are discussed in terms of the selected groups. Some factors which could have contributed to the group characteristics are mentioned. The intention of the whole discussion was to suggest that such demographic variables can be used to assess the pressures, resources, liabilities and problem solving strategies of public assistance applicants, with no necessary reliance on traditional terminology and assessment techniques. Actual data and elaborate statistical analyses were not presented and, by the author's own admission, more elaborate mathematical techniques would be necessary to produce precise and usable knowledge of relationships. (TL)