This digest describes datasets of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) that are related to rural education, discusses potential uses of NCES data, and offers practical tips for accessing these data. NCES has primarily two types of data; population data on the school universe and national surveys. Two population databases are the Common Core of Data, which describes all U.S. public elementary and secondary schools and school districts, and the School District Data Book, which provides comprehensive data on school districts and communities and links sociodemographic complexities to schooling. NCES longitudinal surveys that follow cohorts of middle-school and high-school students for 10-14 years include the National Longitudinal Survey (beginning in 1972), the High School and Beyond Survey (beginning in 1980), and the National Education Longitudinal Survey of 1988. Cross-sectional surveys include the School and Staffing Survey, conducted every 3 years; the National Assessment of Educational Progress, collecting information on student performance for over 25 years; and the National Household Education Survey (1991). NCES data have a variety of uses in program planning and design, policy making (although rural-specific policy issues are inadequately covered), and scholarly research. NCES datasets use several measures of rurality; researchers are advised to check that the dataset used contains a suitable locale measure. Other suggestions for researchers include taking advantage of CD-ROM technology, obtaining customized datasets and tabulations from NCES, and attending NCES seminars. (SV)