EXISTING SECONDARY DATA ABOUT RURAL-URBAN DELINQUENCY PATTERNS INDICATED THAT SERIOUS CRIME, INCLUDING JUVENILE CRIME, HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE UNITED STATES BETWEEN 1969 AND 1974. THE INCREASE RATE IN TENNESSEE IS ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. FIFTY-ONE OFFICIALS AND PROFESSIONALS WORKING WITH JUVENILE DELINQUENTS IN EAST TENNESSEE WERE INTERVIEWED CONCERNING THE STATUS OF JUVENILE CRIME, ITS CAUSAL FACTORS, AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF JUVENILE SERVICES. A PRELIMINARY ESTIMATION OF COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE POSSIBILITIES FOR IMPROVING JUVENILE SERVICES IN RURAL COUNTIES WAS MADE USING A SIMULATED BUDGET APPROACH FOR GROUP HOMES, PROBATION SERVICES, VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS, AND COUNSELING. MAJOR AREAS IDENTIFIED AS NEEDING MORE RESOURCES WERE PROFESSIONAL COUNSELING, PROBATION SERVICES, RECREATION FACILITIES, AND DETENTION. OF THE NINE REHABILITATION PROGRAMS DISCUSSED IN THE SURVEY, SPECIAL CLASSES, RECREATION VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS, PROBATION AND PAROLE SERVICES, FOSTER HOMES, AND VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS WERE CITED AS THOSE WHICH COULD BE ORGANIZED AT THE COUNTY LEVEL. THE BUDGET ANALYSIS SUGGESTED THE FEASIBILITY OF POOLING OR CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF NONCOST CONSIDERATIONS IN THE DECISIONMAKING PROCESS. SUPPORTING DATA ARE PROVIDED. APPENDIXES CONTAIN DETAILED CRIME STATISTICS AND ANALYSIS FORMS, THE INTERVIEW SURVEY SCHEDULE, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)