In September 1984, a Vocational Education Data System (VEDS) follow-up survey was conducted of all 5,267 students who had graduated from Massachusetts public community colleges in 1982-83. Of these graduates, 1,881 (35.7%) returned the survey, and 3,386 (64.3%) did not. A subsequent study was conducted to compare the characteristics of survey respondents and non-respondents. A random sample of 380 of the non-respondents was drawn, and telephone interviews were completed with 201 individuals. The interviews focused on graduates' reasons for not returning the VEDS questionnaire; the degree and program they had pursued; their sex, age, ethnic background, and location of college; their evaluation of their academic program and job preparation; their employment and educational status; the relationship between their job and education; and their salary. Study findings included the following: (1) the most common reason for not completing the mailed survey was that it was never received; (2) no significant differences were found between the VEDS respondents and non-respondents in terms of degree pursued, program, sex, ethnic origin, ratings of academic training or quality of occupational preparation, or employment or educational status; (3) 12% of the non-respondents identified themselves as economically disadvantaged or as having other special needs, compared to 2.6% of the respondents; and (4) non-respondents had significantly higher average wages than respondents, especially among graduates working in a field related to their training. Based on study findings, it was concluded that, if biased, the VEDS was biased in the direction of under-estimation of outcomes rather than over-estimation. Twenty-three tables are included. (AYC)