Data summaries recently developed by the National Cotton Council indicate that harvested acreage has been relatively stable and that lint yield and fiber quality have gradually increased in the Southwest during the past 10 years. A survey of selected producers, ginners, Extension personnel and researchers in each of the nine subregions comprising the Southwest cotton growing area was conducted to determine if these trends are likely to continue for the next 3 to 5 years. Based on the survey results, significant acreage changes are unlikely to occur during this period and only slight gains in yields (lbs/harvested acre) are anticipated. Yields are expected to remain at or near the 5-year average for the region. In contrast, it is anticipated that lint quality will continue to show improvement, primarily through grower acceptance of improved varieties. The factors that were considered most likely to influence acreage, yields and quality included weather, insect management (pesticide resistance), risisng input costs, government regulations, loss of support programs and farm credit availability. Options for reducing per unit production costs included "fine tuning" production practices, short season production systems, and conservation/reduced tillage. Available technology that could be adopted included Integrated Crop Management systems, narrow row production, LEPA irrigation , practices to improve stand establishment, weed control, crop termination and harvest. To stay in business, growers must improve their marketing skills, work to implement a statewide boll weevil eradication program, improve management skills, become practice with regard to environment (and other governmental) issues, become more involved with producer organizations, and be willing to accept leadership roles.