A study investigated the characteristics of 43,307 participants 55 years and older in the 3 percent set-aside program of the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) during program year 1987. Information sources included 37 states, the U.S. Bureau of the Census, the U.S. Department of Labor, the National Council on Aging, and state and community-based organizations. Findings were as follows: (1) the program serves a different clientele from the JTPA Title II-A program for Adults and Youths and the Title V, Senior Community Service Employment Program; (2) 59 percent of those served by the program in 29 states were considered long-term unemployed; (3) 1-25 percent of program participants in 15 states reporting were unemployment insurance claimants; (4) 1-28 percent of program participants in 23 states reporting were handicapped; (5) 2-34 percent of program participants in 21 states reporting were veterans; and (6) 1-3 percent of program participants in 12 states reporting were exoffenders. (CML)