Abstract: Three day food intake data and the characteristics of a national US sampling of about 36,100 people (excluding Alaska and Hawaii) are presented in 510 tables. Data was collected between April 1977 and March 1978. Food intakes are summarized under 10 food groups and 43 subgroups, covering all people sampled in each of 22 age and sex categories at 4 income levels, 3 urban categories, and 2 racial groups; data also are broken down by the 4 seasons. Major findings of the survey included: over 90% of the subjects ate at least 1 food from each of 5 major food groups during the 3-day survey. Under the meat group, beef (68%) and meat mixtures (67%) were reported by more people than poultry (43%) or fish (25%). About 80% of all subjects had milk at least once. Bread, rolls, or biscuits (95%), white potatoes (about 80%), and non-citrus fruits and juices (58%) were the most popular items consumed in the grain, vegetable, and fruit food groups, respectively. Findings for other food categories (and subcategories), and the influences found from factors of income, urbanization, race, and seasonal differences are highlighted. (wz)