Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, and Cheatham counties of Tennessee were the setting for a study that sought to determine the types of health and social services provided to residents of rural areas and to assess the present status of the service delivery system. Interviews with both agency representatives and randomly selected household repondents examined the health and social services delivery systems in such areas as agricultural extension, alcohol and drug abuse, day care, counseling, family planning, employment services, and medical services. The study addressed specific problem areas, their possible causes, services gaps, types of services needed, and inadequately served geographic areas. The greatest needs identified were for medical services, public transportation, improved housing, day care, improved roads, and social and employment services. The single most important barrier to overcome in increasing utilization of existent services was one of cultural obstacles: the feeling that it is somehow wrong to accept free or reduced rates for services even when the need is great. Better service delivery could also be provided by (1) the development of services based in rural areas or branch offices, (2) the decentralization of service delivery, and (3) the development of special transportation programs. Existing community buildings also stand under utilized and could be used to house service facilities. (DS)