This report is the fourth in the National Presidents' Study series and presents results of the 1998 study responded to by 2,380 college and university presidents. Highlights of presidents in 1998 compared to 1986 include: the percentage of women presidents doubled, from 9.5 percent to 19 percent; the proportion of minority presidents increased from 8 to 11 percent; and 30 percent of presidents had never been a full-time faculty member, compared with 25 percent in 1986. Highlights concerning recently hired presidents include: the average age of new presidents was 55 years and was older at the time of hire than those hired 5 years ago, and that 25 percent of all newly hired presidents were women. Highlights concerning presidents' duties include: presidents reported spending the most time on planning, fund raising, dealing with personnel issues, and budgeting; and presidents were most likely to wish that they had more training in fund raising and financial management. Highlights concerning the presidential search process include: about one-fifth of presidents felt they did not have a clear understanding of some aspect of the campus or job when they took the position and 70 percent of presidents had a written contract when hired. Appendices provide the questionnaire and extensive detail on respondent characteristics and responses. (DB)