Focusing on the direction future research on the Chicano elderly should take, the 10 papers address theory development, methodological approach, social policy and problems, mental health service delivery, and issues of mental illness. The first seven papers discuss: the theoretical perspectives of research pertaining to mental health and the Mexicano elders; Chicano culture and mental health among the elderly; the extent and heterogeneity of natural helping networks among the Chicano elderly; politics of elderly Mexican Americans, especially political behavior related to mental health; economic implications of aging and Chicano mental health; the premises and underlying values of Mexican and Anglo service delivery systems; differences which create problems in Chicano use of services; linguistic and sociocultural factors which affect the delivery of mental health services; research in the Chicano community; and an approach that views the researcher as an "objective" insider. "Forecasting Future Cohorts of Mexicano Elders" by Ernesto Galarza is a philosophical paper regarding the future and the Chicano elderly. Based on information presented in the preceding eight papers, the final two papers identify a series of research questions on the mental health of Chicano elderly and discuss theoretical and methodological issues of research on the Chicano elderly. (NQA)