This monograph is one in a series of analytical reports presenting findings from the National Science Foundation's 1989-90 National Survey of Academic Research Instruments and Instrumentation Needs. It describes recent national trends in academic research equipment and equipment needs in the physical sciences. It also documents equipment trends in central academic computing facilities. The data were obtained from a sample of 55 universities statistically selected to represent all institutions with annual science/engineering research and development expenditures of $3 million or more. The analysis compares data obtained in 1989 to similar data collected from the same institutions in 1986 and 1983. Information about current needs and priorities refers to the year the survey was conducted; information about equipment amounts and expenditures refers to the year prior to the survey (i.e. 1988, 1985, 1982). The study is limited to research equipment originally costing $10,000 or more per system. Sections are: (1) equipment investments and expenditures; (2) sources of funds; (3) perceived equipment trends; (4) types of existing and needed equipment; and (5) institution profiles. A list of sampled institutions and a list of university-administered federally funded research and development centers are appended. (KR)