The National Science Foundation sponsored Survey of Industrial Research and Development for 1977 was conducted by the Bureau of the Census in January 1978. Approximately 1,500 R&D-performing companies participated in the survey. Remarks attributed to company officials were based on discussions with representatives from leading R&D-performing companies in the major industries. This report contains a detailed report of R&D spending during 1977, as well as historical tables showing trends for key R&D funding variables. Also included is information about industry-employed R&D scientists and engineers. R&D expenditures for U.S. firms are presented in a variety of ways: by source of funds, type of activity, major cost component, geographic area, field of basic research, product area, effort contracted out, amount performed in foreign countries, and by amounts expended on research and development devoted to energy-related and pollution abatement projects. Whenever possible, the data are presented on an individual industry basis, e.g., instruments, machinery, etc. Data presented in this report cover the period 1956-1977 for funding data and January 1957 to January 1978 for R&D scientist and engineer data. (Author/MK)