This paper is based on a 1996 industrial survey of 420 Russian firms' actual position, as opposed to their expectations and declared intentions. Factor analysis and ordered Probit techniques are used to test relationships between the various responses. The main conclusions are: 1) profit depends upon real productive performances, and, to a lesser extent, on financial discipline; 2) the demand for credit comes mainly from the worst-off firms or those already indebted; 3) the actual distribution of bank credit is allocated mostly to distressed firms, with poor performance and weak financial position.