Continuing technological advances in computers and communications make possible the integration of data systems and the exchange of data among them on an expanding scale. However, the full effect of these advances cannot be realized unless the need for uniform understanding of the common information (data elements) and their expression in data systems is recognized and a means provided to effectively manage this information. The increasing interrelationships among the data systems of Federal, State and local governments, and with industry and the public add emphasis and dimension to the need for the improved management of data elements in information processing. These Proceedings are for the second Symposium on the Management of Data Elements in Information Processing held at the National Bureau of Standards on 1975 October 23-24. Over 300 representatives of Federal and State governments, industry and universities from 29 states, from Japan, and the United Kingdom were in attendance. Twenty-nine speakers discussed the role of the data manager, communications needs for data standards, data element directories, standard codes for character and control, use of check characters, data elements in bibliographic data bases, product coding, coding for clinical medicine, human factors, data resource management, data base management systems, and other subjects related to data standardization and data management efforts. (Author)