Information on the participation of women and minorities in all fields and at most levels in American colleges and universities is presented, the condition of these underrepresented groups in the academic profession is examined, and future trends for the profession are projected. Enrollment data by type of institution, level of study, and various fields of study are presented for a number of decades, and in some cases from 1920-77. The number of doctorate degrees granted to women from 1973-76 by the 99 leading institutions is indicated. Appended materials provide a more detailed analysis of the availability of recent doctorate recipients with a detailed listing of subfields. Data indicate that since 1965, the number of women baccalaureates produced in an academic year has nearly doubled, and the proportion of women awarded doctorates has doubled in the past decade. Minority students are underrepresented in universities and professional programs: over 50 percent of all black college students attended a two-year college in 1976. Women are underrepresented in the academic labor pool, and minorities are even less represented. Areas of employment entered by 1960-74 Ph.D's for men and women by field of doctorate are designated. Data on the sex and ethnic composition of American faculty, by rank, are presented. Findings indicate that the professoriate, particularly at the higher ranks, remains overwhelmingly white and male. It is concluded that affirmative action efforts will face difficulties in the future because of increasing retrenchment. (SW)