System-wide data on student retention and attrition prepared by the Central Staff Office of Institutional Research for the State University of New York is presented, with minimal narrative. Attrition/retention information is reported as of the fall 1978 semester on: (a) five cohorts of first-time, full-time students in baccalaureate programs; (b) four cohorts of full-time transfer students in baccalaureate programs; (c) three cohorts of first-time, full-time students in associate degree programs; and (d) two cohorts of full-time transfer students in associate degree programs. Part One provides a flow chart on attrition, retention and degree recipients of the class of 1977 (for those students entering as first-time, full-time in baccalaureate and associate degree programs). Part Two contains individual institutional tables depicting the history of first-time, full-time students in baccalaureate programs entering fall 1973 through fall 1977, measured retrospectively as of the fall 1978 semester. Part Three presents information by institution on the history of first-time, full-time students in associate degree programs entering fall 1975 through fall 1977, measured retrospectively as of fall 1978 semester. Part Four presents individual institutional tables containing information on the history of full-time transfer students in baccalaureate programs. Part Six tabulates selected trends in attrition/retention by institution and institution type. The appendix contains a publication list of the Central Staff Office of Institutional Research and Analytical Studies. (LC)