The feasibility of large-scale, countercyclical public job-creation was assessed. Focus was on how many job-creating activities could be undertaken as well as the job-creation potential and costs of these activities. Data was collected through field visits made to Washington-based federal government and national organizations and to twenty-four counties in eight of ten federal regions. The findings include the following: 233 potential job-creation activities were identified in twenty-one different program areas; the largest number of activities were in the program areas of public works, environmental quality, education, social services, and criminal justice; and 115 activities, for which onsite job and cost estimates could be generated, were estimated capable of generating three million onsite jobs at a cost of approximately $15,000 per job. (This first of a three-volume report contains chapter 1, which overviews and summarizes the entire study. Volume 2, comprised of the second chapter, covers the methods and the findings with respect to activities, their job-creation potential, and related characteristics. The last volume, containing the remaining six chapters, covers the findings regarding the priorities among projects, indirect employment effects, skill imbalances, and administrative issues; and summarizes the overall findings, conclusions, and recommendations.) (EM)