THE BACKGROUND OF THE TEXAS ORGANIZED CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL, CREATED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER IN 1970, IS REVIEWED. A DEFINITION OF ORGANIZED CRIME IS OFFERED, AND THE EXTENT OF ORGANIZED CRIME ACTIVITY IN TEXAS IS DISCUSSED. ILLEGAL DRUG TRAFFIC, GAMBLING, FENCING OF STOLEN MERCHANDISE, PROSTITUTION, PORNOGRAPHY, MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT, CARGO THEFT, SMUGGLING, INSURANCE FRAUD, SECURITIES FRAUD, BUSINESS FRAUD, COUNTERFEITING AND FORGERY, AND CRIMES OF VIOLENCE ARE AMONG THE TYPES OF ORGANIZED CRIME COVERED. GROUPS ENGAGED IN ORGANIZED CRIME AND INFILTRATION INTO LEGITIMATE BUSINESS ARE IDENTIFIED, INCLUDING LA COSA NOSTRA, THE 'DIXIE MAFIA,' AND THE 'MEXICAN CONNECTION.' IT IS EXTIMATED THAT ORGANIZED CRIMINAL OPERATIONS IN A WIDE VARIETY OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES GROSS BETWEEN $1.8 AND $3.2 BILLION ANNUALLY. ACTIVITIES UNDERTAKEN TO REDUCE ORGANIZED CRIME IN TEXAS ARE NOTED, INCLUDING A STATEWIDE STUDY OF ORGANIZED CRIME, ORGANIZED CRIME CONTROL UNITS, ORGANIZED CRIME CONTROL TRAINING, FEDERAL-STATE COOPERATION, AND PUBLIC AWARENESS EFFORTS. RECOMMENDATIONS ARE PRESENTED WITH REGARD TO NEEDED LEGISLATION, PUBLIC AWARENESS, AND TRAINING FOR ORGANIZED CRIME INVESTIGATORS.