The paper identifies major types of social indicators and explains how they can be used in social forecasting. Social indicators are defined as statistical measures relating to major areas of social concern and/or individual well being. Examples of social indicators are projections, forecasts, outlook statements, time-series statistics, and extrapolations related to topics such as population, housing, social security, income, education, and health. The paper is presented in three major sections. Section I reviews literary treatments of the nature and purpose of social indicators. Major purposes include public information, projections of complex phenomena, policy formation, program planning, and program evaluation. Section II presents a directory of textbooks and government publications upon which section I was based. In section III, examples are presented of how forecasts regarding life style and equality for minorities and women can be projected on the basis of social indicators including education, employment, unemployment, income, housing, and welfare. (DB)