In a given urban area it is common that different public agencies and offices attempt to gather diverse data with no mutual coordination or awareness of each others' activities. This picture of varied and uncoordinated data needs reflects a lack of established information relationships and the need for an urban information system. In this study an operational urban information system, instituted in the Wichita, Kansas area, is described. This system is called the Wichita-Sedgwick County Intergovernmental Enumeration (WSCIE) and is maintained by the Interagency Research Committee (IRC). The history and structural functions of the data system and the role of IRC are outlined. The scope of data collected and the actual process of WSCIE collection are described in detail. The problem of confidentiality of data which is accessible to the public sector is discussed, and experiences IRC has had in this regard are cited. Throughout, there is a concern with the political issues and conflicts that can and do arise when such a system is implemented on a local government level. It is concluded, however, that both the IRC and WSCIE serve an integrating function for research activities in the Wichita area. Benefits of the program and implications for wider use in the future are outlined. (GC)