A Generalized Data Management System (GDMS) is a software environment provided as a tool for analysts, administrators, and programmers who are responsible for the maintenance, query and analysis of a data base to permit the manipulation of newly defined files and data with the existing programs and system. Because the GDMS technology is believed to be important for Management Information Systems (MIS), section 2 of this paper discusses the overall problems attendant with MIS. Section 3 describes some of the components of a GDMS and the role of a GDMS within a MIS. An example which shows how generality is achieved in a GDMS to permit the same file maintenance and retrieval programs to operate on many different files is discussed. Section 4 provides some historical perspective on some of the early developments within this technology. Four types of GDMSs are recognized and described briefly. Trends and developmental needs of GDMSs are noted in Section 5. Over 60 GDMS systems are listed in a summary chart in Appendix I. Appendix II contains a Key Word In Context Index (KWIC) to the literature of this field. (Author/NH)