The management and administration of construction contracts require the collection and analysis of a great deal of information as the project progresses. Much of this information is recorded and collected at the project site. Although the microcomputer is now used extensively as a construction management tool, the collection of field data remains essentially a paperwork process. The results are presented of a trial program undertaken by the Florida Department of Transportation that involved the use of pen-based computers for job-site data acquisition. Data entry with the pen-based computer is accomplished by writing on the screen with a tethered pen. Capabilities of this new technology are discussed. Results of the field trials are presented with recommendations for future implementation.