Data were collected during February-April 1984 in a southern city of just over 200,000, following several months of informal observation in and around the particular corner of a city block where the research occurred. Participants consisted of a convenience sample that used the snowballing technique and that was obtained with the assistance of an informant, who also provided information used to construct the survey instrument. Results revealed that the benefits included financial gain, sexual pleasure, control of the work schedule, and affection. The problems included fear of arrest, the potential for violence, having sex with undesirable people, and not being paid for services rendered. Findings demonstrated that the decision to engage in street prostitution is a complicated process that involves the weighting of the perceived benefits against the perceived risks. 34 references