The first in a series of studies about poverty in the South, this report focuses on Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas. Since 1979, the rate of poverty for these states has shown a steady, sharp increase, bringing it up to 18.2 percent in 1983. The national poverty rates for blacks reached 35.7 percent in 1983, the highest level since 1968. Of all families headed by black women, 57.2 percent were poor. The number of poor persons has increased dramatically from 26 million in 1979 to 35 million in 1983, 12 million in the 11 southern states, the highest number since the years before 1965. The number of poor individuals not in families or households is 6.8 million, higher than it has ever been in the recorded history of poverty. Only a minority of poor households receives any one of the available non-cash benefits, while a majority of the non-poor households receive at least some benefits. Forty-seven percent of all poor persons ages 15-65 were working full- or part-time in in 1982. Only 21 percent of benefits aimed at the poor go to households that are not headed by persons 65 or older or by a single female with children. (PS)