This study provides comprehensive data profiling the chief executive officers of higher education institutions in the United States who were in office in either 1986 or 1990 and is based on a survey administered by the American Council on Education in those years. The 1990 profile of presidents, which is the focus of this report, incorporates the responses of 2,423 presidents in office in 1990, approximately three out of four chief executive officers of campuses and system offices. It also compares this group to 2,638 presidents who responded to the 1986 survey, and separately examines data on 883 presidents who assumed office during the period January 1, 1987 to December 31, 1990. Briefly, the typical U.S. college or university president in 1990 was white, male, 54 years old, married, with an earned doctorate, from an institution similar to the one he is now heading, and had served previously as president or chief academic officer of another institution. Most presidents had taught full time, but two-thirds did not hold tenure as a faculty member while serving as president. The average length of service for presidents was 7 years. The 1990 profile is almost identical to that of 1986. Appendices, comprising half the report, presents data on the presidents' characteristics including sex, race/ethnicity, type of institution, and control of institution. The survey instrument is also appended. (Contains 16 references.) (GLR)