This 30th annual report summarizes results of the 1995-96 Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED), which collected data from graduates as they completed requirements for their doctoral degrees. The report notes the continued, but slowing, increase in research doctorates. Following an examination of general trends in the overall number of doctorates, the report examines trends in doctorate production by field, and continues with sections examining trends in doctorates awarded by gender, race/ethnicity, and citizenship; time to degree; financial support during graduate school; and postgraduation status and plans of doctorate recipients. Narratives of key survey findings in each section are accompanied by figures displaying selected trend data and supported by a set of tables following the main text. The survey found that a record 42,415 doctorates were awarded by U.S. universities from July 1, 1995, through June 30, 1996, with women earning 16,945 doctorates and U.S. minorities nearly 13 percent of doctorates., up from 11 percent in 1994. Appendices provide supplementary tables on 1996 doctoral recipients, trend data on 1986-96 doctoral cohorts, technical notes, and a copy of the survey questionnaire. (CH)