THE DIRECTOR'S ANNUAL REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE FEDERAL COURTS INDICATES A RISE IN FILINGS IN THE COURTS OF APPEALS. IN THE DISTRICT COURTS, NEW CASE FILINGS IN CIVIL LITIGATION REMAINED RELATIVELY STATIONARY. THE TYPE OF CASES FILED, HOWEVER, SHOWED SOME CHANGE. THERE WERE FEWER PRISONER SUITS, WHILE INCREASES WERE NOTED IN CIVIL RIGHTS FILINGS, IN COPYRIGHT, PATENT AND TRADEMARK SUITS, AND IN FORECLOSURES OF FEDERALLY MORTGAGED PROPERTY. THE NUMBER OF FELONY AND MISDEMEANOR CASES IN THE DISTRICT COURTS DROPPED BY MORE THAN 8 PERCENT DURING 1977. THERE WAS A DECREASE IN THE NUMBER OF ROBBERY AND ASSAULT CASES AND DRUG LAW PROSECUTIONS IN THE FEDERAL COURTS, AND BANKRUPTCY FILINGS ALSO DECREASED.