USING NEW MEXICO AS A BASIS TO TRACE THE SPANISH-AMERICAN AND MEXICAN-AMERICAN HERITAGE, THE AUTHOR STATES THAT ANY STIGMA PLACED ON THE LATTER GROUP IS ONE OF CLASS DISTINCTION. THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT ACCULTURATION AND ASSIMILATION OF BOTH GROUPS INTO THE ANGLO-AMERICAN SOCIETY IS PROCEEDING STEADILY, AND THAT THE WORLD WARS AND THE KOREAN CONFLICT ACCELERATED URBANIZATION. SPANISH-AMERICANS IN LOWER INCOME CLASSES AND RURAL AREAS HAVE RECENTLY TENDED TO BAND TOGETHER IN SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS, WHICH HAS TENDED TO INCREASE MILITANCY OF THE GROUPS. THE DOCUMENT COVERS THREE AREAS OF INFORMATION--HISTORY, SOCIAL ASPECTS, AND TRENDS. TABLES ARE INCLUDED ON PERCENTAGES OF PEOPLE WITH SPANISH SURNAMES IN SELECTED PROFESSIONS, PERCENTAGE OF GRADUATES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO WITH SPANISH SURNAMES, AND MEMBERSHIP IN FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES. THIS REPORT IS AVAILABLE FROM THE DIVISION OF RESEARCH, GRADUATE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90024, FOR $2.00. (WN)