An accurate and timely service statistics system allows administrators to manage and evaluate family planning (FP) programs and plan for future needs; the final test of such an information system is whether it is useful to them in improving the program. As examples, the systems used in Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic (covering both clinic- and community-based distribution of FP services) are described in some detail, including general organization and purposes, forms used, procedures for data collection and processing, types of reports generated, personnel, and cost. Among recommendations given for the design of service statistics systems are: 1) data collection should not be burdensome to clients or distributors; 2) a cross- or spot-checking system should be used to verify data; 3) statistics should be combined with data from the census and other programs for full coverage; and 4) opportunity for feedback from FP clients should be part of the system.