A study was conducted to determine the feasibility of increasing economic development within Montana through the use of personal computers in small businesses. A statewide mail survey of 1,650 businesses (employing between 4 and 25 employees) was conducted to determine the current status of computer use and the potential for expanding computer use within the Montana business community. A total of 790 questionnaires were returned, yielding a 48 percent response rate. Of the returned questionnaires, 241 were completed by agribusinesses and 549 were completed by nonagribusinesses. The survey found that most of the small businesses surveyed do not use a computer for business operations, although there is evidence from the survey results that the majority of these noncomputer users think a computer could improve their business operation. Both the agribusiness and nonagribusiness respondents indicated that the primary reason they have not used a computer is uncertainty regarding the usefulness of a computer or the kind of computer to buy. The more prevalent type of computer used by the small business operators was the personal computer, while about one-third of the respondents used minicomputers. Almost all of the operators were satisfied with their computers. Respondents identified accounting/tax records as the primary function of their computer. The survey also found that most users were willing to attend computer training programs. The study concluded that business operators' interest in computers and their willingness to learn the necessary computer skills should provide a good environment in which to promote expanded computer use in Montana. Thirteen tables provide breakdowns of the data and two appendixes provide, respectively, the survey packet and a description of a systematic sampling procedure. (KC)