THE SYSTEM FOR CONTINUOUS MONITORING OF OUTCOME DATA WAS DEVELOPED FOR THE LARGE URBAN COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH CENTER OPERATED BY THE DENVER GENERAL HOSPITAL, DENVER, COLORADO. THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN OPERATIONAL SINCE EARLY 1974. THE DATA COLLECTED BY THE PROGRAM MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO COMPARE THE STATUS OF TREATED CLIENTS WITH THAT OF TYPICAL CLIENTS AT INTAKE AND WITH THAT OF NONCLIENTS IN THE COMMUNITY. A CONTINUOUS PICTURE OF HOW TYPICAL CLIENT GROUPS ARE FUNCTIONING -- AT INTAKE AND AFTER TREATMENT -IN COMPARISON WITH COMMUNITY NORMS IS PROVIDED. THE DATA MAY BE USED TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VARIOUS PROGRAM COMPONENTS AND TO PREDICT THE IMPACT OF PROGRAM CHANGES. EXAMPLES OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE CONTINUOUS MONITORING SYSTEM ARE PRESENTED. FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO A POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS AND CLINICIANS TO THE CONTINUING EVALUATION ARE DISCUSSED. (LKM)