Forty years ago, Mississippi's Choctaw Indian band was impoverished and unemployed. Today, the Choctaws are reportedly an economic powerhouse.

Observers credit the transformation to the leadership of Chief Phillip Martin -- who guided the tribe away from federal handouts and reliance on bureaucrats and led them to a private market economy where each member could earn his own way.

Martin recognized that the tribe's reservation was effectively an Enterprise Zone -- with tribal business exempt from all federal and state taxes, as well as all state regulations and many federal regulations. With an eager and available work force, Chief Martin proceeded to capitalize on this favored position.

• The tribe now boasts industrial plants on its premises under contract with Ford, Chrysler, AT&T, Xerox, Navistar, American Greetings, McDonald's and others, as well as one of the most successful casinos in the state.

• Over four decades, life expectancy has jumped by almost 20 years, to 65-70 -- and infant mortality has gone from the highest of any population in the U.S. to less than state and national averages.

• Average family income has climbed in the course of 35 years from $2,000 a year to about $24,000 today.

• The average educational level of adult tribe members has climbed from sixth grade in 1975 to almost 12th grade today.

Observers report that Martin has been a leader and innovator in contracting out services and programs from the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service, so that now virtually all federal Indian programs and services for the Mississippi Choctaws are run by the tribe rather than the federal government.