Major considerations for efficient resource use in organizing and providing rural service systems include analysis of the supply and demand conditions for services in a dynamic rural economy, projection of economic factors influencing supply and demand conditions for rural services, and physical planning for rural services to meet efficiently the projected demand with restricted and efficient resource use. "Economic concepts of demand constitute an essential element in planning and organizing rural public service systems. The demand for services can be related to consumer costs and population characteristics of a specific area. The influence of price as a device for allocating resources needs to receive more attention than has been the case in the past. Autonomous changes in the broader social and political arenas of the state and nation affect the precision with which the demand for services in a region may be projected. It is essential that an accurate analysis be made of an area's potential for growth or decline for purposes of planning for future as well as current service needs." Included along with the text of the paper are 1 table (listing 7 public services, their output measure, and possible output quality measures) and a 9-item reference list. (MJB)