The extent to which occupational staffing patterns change over time was examined in a study focusing on the Food and Kindred Products industry--Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 20. Data were taken from the 1977 and 1980 Occupational Employment Statistics program coordinated by the United States Department of Labor Statistics. Actual 1980 employment by occupation was compared to the employment expected if occupational staffing ratios had remained unchanged since 1977. Three measures were used to indicate differences between actual and simulated or expected occupational employment: absolute percentage difference, weighted absolute ratio difference, and comparison of simulated occupational employment with the 95 percent confidence interval established for the actual 1980 occupational employment. Findings indicated the average absolute percentage difference was 34.4 percent; the direction of change was correctly predicted in 51 of 100 occupations; in 21 of 85 occupations, simulated 1980 occupational employment fell within the 95 percent confidence interval; and the average weighted absolute percentage difference was 33 percent. Implications from the research for future occupational projection were the need for identification of those occupations likely to experience substantial change and the need for identification of the causes of changing occupational employment. (A six-page table is attached.) (YLB)