* Nearly 10,000 US credit unions have 84 million members and assests in excess of $600 billion.

* Rural electric co-ops own and maintain nearly half of the country's electric distribution lines, providing electricity to 37 million people.

* 270 telephone cooperatives provide service to two million households.

* More than 6,400 housing co-ops serve 1.5 million households.

* About 30% of farmers' products are marketed by 3000 farmer co-ops.

* Purchasing cooperatives offer group buying to more than 50,000 independent businesses.

* US co-ops serve 120 million members, 1 of every 4 US residents.