I used the CB FTP site (http://www2.census.gov/census_2000/datasets/Summary_File_3/) for the data: The SF 3 files are built on the same lines as the previous releases (SF 1 and PL data). The package consists of one GEOGRAPHIC file, and 76 data files. The process I used to convert the data into a GIS (in my case Arcview) is: 1. Downloaded the shape file for BGs from the ESRI website at www.geographynetwork.com 2. Downloaded the geography file, and the datafiles from the Census Bureau FTP site at: http://www2.census.gov/census_2000/datasets/Summary_File_3/ 3. Opened these files in MS Access. If you want detailed instructions, please refer to http://www2.census.gov/census_2000/datasets/Summary_File_3/0README_SF3.doc OR http://www.census.gov/support/SF3ASCII.html There is also a specific website to help you open the data in MS Access. Please refer to: http://www.census.gov/support/2000/SF3/ 4. Exported the database into DBF, and connected to the Arcview shapefile downloaded in step 1. Steps 2, and 3 are the only "problem" areas to most users. The Census Bureau is providing LIVE online support, and telephonic support to accomplish these steps. For online support, please visit: http://www.census.gov/support/SF3ASCII.html and click on the GREEN BOX with the title "LIVE HELP". The telephonic and e-mail contact information is: 301-457-1324 Voice 301-457-1296 Fax TechSupp(a)Census.gov If you need more help on the Arcview/GIS side (steps 1, and 4), please refer to the FHWA Census Issues website note on SF 1 data. http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/census/sf1.htm The steps are almost the same, the difference is that in the case of SF1, the data was at the level of census blocks, most of SF 3 data is at the level of Block Groups. Hope the above is of use! Thanks Nanda Srinivasan Now that the Census has released SF3, does the LIST know of way to download (at once) all of the Block Group SF3 data for a county, or do I have to download each Tract individually and merge them? Has anybody downloaded SF3 by BG from Census or American Fact Finder?? Kevin Harrison South Alabama Regional Planning Commission 651 Church St Mobile, AL 36602 251.433.6541