The use of an integrated student information system (ISIS) to conduct institutional research at Trinity University is discussed. The types of data contained in the system, which has 59 files, include: student characteristics, recruitment, financial aid, registration, faculty load, and class scheduling. The data for students, faculty, departments, divisions, and budgets are entered into the ISIS through terminals on 45 different terminal screens. Some of the data are also system-generated and/or maintained. Considerations in designing programs to extract information from the files are identified, along with methods to validate data. Preparing a program using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences is described, with attention to logging and dating files for historical purposes, formatting data, choosing variables, and adding variables to existing files. Also considered are: techniques to examine selected subsets of students, faculty, or courses; modifying or generating study variables; methods of conducting multiple analyses from a single disk file; and generating ad hoc reports or standard, periodic reports. Two examples of documentation on course/faculty load and enrolled students are provided, including variable descriptions and field lengths. A sample program on attrition is included, along with a flowchart of the database. (Author/SW)