The non-comparability of methods used in different studies makes it impossible to determine which crime prevention program or class of programs is the most economically efficient. A "how-to" manual should be developed and followed so that a wide range of benefits can be measured, such as health, employment, and education benefits, as well as crime reduction. Research is needed on issues related to using average versus marginal costs, using capital versus operating costs, discounting costs and benefits over different time periods, using tangible versus intangible victim costs, and calculating costs and benefits from different perspectives (victim, taxpayer, and program participants). Because the value of economic analysis is limited by the quality of the research design, greater use should be made of high quality research designs combined with cost-benefit analysis. Funding agencies should commission and support cost-benefit evaluations of new and existing crime prevention programs. 116 references, 15 footnotes, and 3 tables