A 1989 mail survey collected data regarding health insurance from 18,614 small business owners who were employer members of the National Federation of Independent Business. In all, 5,368 usable surveys were returned for a 29 percent response rate. Data were obtained on opinions about health care, health care markets, and general health policy; health insurance provided to part-time employees; and purchase of employee health insurance. Sixty-three percent of respondents reported sponsoring a health insurance plan to at least some employees. Respondents viewed the cost of health care and health insurance as a very important and vexing problem. Eighty-six percent agreed or strongly agreed that individuals have the primary responsibility for securing health insurance coverage. Over 62 percent believed that they could not pass on the cost of employee health insurance to customers in the form of higher prices. Reasons for wanting to provide employee health insurance were the beliefs that it would help attract better employees, it would improve employee morale, and their employees needed the benefit. Respondents rejected any type of government mandate to require employers to pay health insurance premiums. (The survey is appended.) (YLB)