A survey of young physicians in rural areas was conducted and information was gathered from other data sources and analyzed for three main purposes: (1) to evaluate the retention of National Health Service Corps (NHSC) alumni in Health Manpower Shortage Areas (HMSAs); (2) to document the distribution of NHSC alumni, Private Practice Option (PPO) physicians, and non-NHSC physicians in rural areas; and (3) to examine the practice patterns (e.g., use of auxiliary personnel, fee structures, patient characteristics) of NHSC alumni, non-alumni, and recent PPOs. The major conclusion of the analysis was that the NHSC has had an impact on the distribution of physician services in rural areas. Young physicians who fulfill an NHSC obligation in a rural HMSA and who remain in rural practice are very likely to choose to practice in a HMSA. This is true even though NHSC alumni are less likely than non-alumni to have had any prior exposure to rural areas. In addition, NHSC alumni in HMSAs retain many of the practice patterns which are evident in NHSC sites and, consequently, may be more accessible to low income and working class populations in these areas. Numerous data tables supplement the text. An 11-page reference list and the study instruments are appended. (JHZ)