The paper reports an inter-agency cooperative project to investigate the use of different instructional data bases to determine which characteristics were most facilitative for the instruction of 14- and 15-year-old urban students with a range of abilities in a summer career exploration program. Special education and rehabilitation professionals (N=20) in a university course learned and taught the three database management software systems (Friendly Filer, Mastertype Filer, and Filing Assistant) using a customized teaching manual developed by project personnel. Files containing career information were developed for each of the software systems. Structured group instruction plus individual assistance resulted in all students being able to perform basic database manipulations, some being able to add information to existing files, and a few able to create their own files and input their own information of interest. Students rated the computer lab as their favorite activity. Recommendations included introducing novices to application programs before more traditional educational programs; having novice computer instructors work as a teaching team; and encouraging individual applications transferable to professional positions. (DB)