This analysis used national data to evaluate changes in state higher education appropriations, state revenues, and regional differences in support for higher education from 1980 to 1992. Data from the United States Bureau of the Census and Illinois State University's Center for Education revealed that between 1980 and 1990 the nation's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 105 percent but only 9 percent between 1990 and 1992. A major reason for this difference was the recessionary period from the middle of 1990 through the first quarter of 1991. Overall, during the 1980s, state support of higher education increased at about the same rate as the national economy but by slightly less than the growth of the states' own revenues. However, when data are converted to constant 1987 dollars the dramatic growth of the 1980s disappears: the GDP is seen to have increased by 30 percent; federal revenues by 18 percent; federal appropriations for higher education were 22 percent lower than in 1980; and total state appropriations for higher education were 4 percent lower in 1992 than in 1990. Also, the percentage of state general revenues given to higher education declined from 11.3 percent in 1980 to 9.2 percent in 1992. In constant dollars the appropriations per full-time equivalent student in 1992 were $3,200, 2 percent higher than the 1980 average of $3,150. Increased competition with other claimants for public dollars is seen as an important factor in the overall decrease in higher education's share of state funding. Five resource organizations are identified. Contains 10 references. (JB)