This paper calls for a philosophic and operational reorganization of Comprehensive Mental Health Centers to effect a more efficient and parsimonious use of scarce resources. It translates the laws of parsimony into clinical terms as those interventions and methods of care requiring: (1) the least disruption of the patient's life; (2) use of the least expensive and extensive services first, on a time trial basis; and (3) judicious allocation of scarce professional time. It spells out some of the administrative and professional role changes required to implement such efficint parsimony. (Author)