Taking the plunge: free or low-fee resources can help ensure global success.

Eager entrepreneurs often sidestep basic research before venturing into the global marketplace. Don't ever go solo, and never sacrifice the wealth of information your tax dollars have already paid for.

Here are a few organizations you can contact for free or inexpensive guidance:

* Small Business Administration, 1110 Vermont Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20005; 202-606-4000. The SBA offers free information on business planning and development. Free pamphlets are available on how to start a business, apply for loans and enter the international import/export market.

* U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Information Center, 14th St. and Constitution Ave., Room HCHB 7424, Washington, DC 20230; 202-482-0543. The trade information center offers counseling on federal export programs. Moreover, the Commerce Department tracks how much money each country spends in foreign trade.

* National Minority Business Council, 235 E. 42nd St., New York, NY 10017; 212-573-2385. This organization offers help to minority-owned firms in such areas as procurement, business training, education, international trade advocacy and communications.

* Small Business Resource Center, NationsBank, 3401 West End Ave., Nashville, TN 37203; 615-749-4000. The SBA, Minority Business Development Agency and NationsBank have teamed up to open one-stop shops to help train, counsel and finance entrepreneurs who are looking to do business abroad.

* VentureLink USA, 13101 Washington Blvd., Suite 242, Los Angeles, CA 90066; 800-697-LINK. VentureLink USA provides information to help U.S. companies partner with foreign enterprises. Support services are available to companies trying to enter specifically the Pacific Rim and Japanese markets. VentureLink has a database of more than 100,000 subscriber companies.

* Export-Import Bank of the United States, 811 Vermont Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20571; 800-565-3946. EX-IM will back up as much as 90% of a trade bank loan through its working capital guarantee program.

* The Service Corp. of Retired Executives has counselors who understand international trade. Also available are various publications and other information to help business owners keep abreast of rapidly changing markets. To find the location of a SCORE chapter nearest you, contact the national toll-free hotline at 800-634-0245.

The following publications will also help you cast your net in international waters:

* The Catalog of Publications and Subscriptions for Business, Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954; 202-512-1800. This catalog offers hundreds of documents and includes a vast section on export/import brochures.

* The Journal of Commerce, 2 World Trade Center, New York, NY 10048; 800-221-3777. This is the industry's bible on prospective trade deals and contacts. You can get a three-month, six-month or annual subscription. The rates are $104, $190 and $325, respectively.

* Export Today, P.O. Box 28189, Washington, DC 20038; 800-824-9785. This monthly magazine focuses on international business; a year's subscription costs $49.

* Guide to INCOTERMS (International Commercial Terms), ICC Publishing Corp., 156 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010; 212-206-1150. This is a good book to read if you're an entrepreneur who needs help understanding standard commercial shipping terms. It spells out each step in international shipping, from who makes the arrangements to who pays the charges.