Macro-indicators pertaining to higher education in Ontario, Canada, universities during 1970-71 to 1980-81 are examined based on statistical data. The indicators are designed to measure resources available to the Ontario university system as a function of the volume of activity over time and to compare trends in available resources, along with changes in resource distribution within institutions. Trend data and information on what each indicator is intended to measure are examined. Attention is directed to: ratios of operating revenue to eligible full-time-equivalent (FTE) enrollment and basic income units (BIUs); ratios of research expenditures of full-time faculty; percentage distribution of operating expenditures; and interprovincial comparisons. Eight indicators are examined: provincial operating grants per student and per capita; provincial operating grants plus student aid per capita; provincial operating grants plus fees per student; total operating income per student; provincial operating grants plus student aid as a percent of provincial gross (government) expenditure; provincial operating grants per $1,000 of provincial personal income; and total university operating expenditure as a percent of provincial gross domestic product. Additional analyses pertain to: percentage analysis of operating revenues by source of revenue; ratios of nonsalary operating expenditures to eligible FTE enrollment; ratios of research expenditures to operating expenditures; ratios of BIUs to eligible FTE enrollment; and student/faculty ratios. The principal difficulty encountered in formulating the indicators related to the choice of deflation indices. Supplementary system data and a glossary of terms and definitions are appended. (SW)