A summary of data gathered from the National Research Council's Survey of Earned Doctorates during the academic year 1978-79 is presented. The data were obtained from questionnaire forms filled out by graduates as they completed requirements for their doctoral degrees. Between July 1, 1978 and June 30, 1979 a total of 31,200 research doctorates were awarded by U.S. universities. This is an increase of 1.1 percent from doctorates awarded in 1978. Information is presented on the distribution of doctorate recipients by broad field and sex from 1969-79, trends in the employment and study plans of doctorate recipients, trends in postdoctoral study abroad plans, and employment plans by racial/ethnic group and field of doctorate. Statistical tables provide the following information: number of doctorate recipients by sex and subfield, number of doctorate recipients by citizenship, racial/ethnic group, and subfield; profile of doctorate recipients by sex and field of doctorate; percentage of doctorate recipients by sources of support in graduate school, by sex, and summary field; and profile of doctorate recipients by racial/ethnic group and U.S. citizenship status. A list of titles of degrees included in the study and a sample form are included. (SW)