Today Inc. magazine published some interesting survey data on the current state of small business today versus 2009 -- the depths of the U.S. financial crisis -- and, occasionally, prior years. In some cases the trend is positive, while in others it is decidedly negative. What's your opinion?

81: Index of small business optimism in March 2009

88: Index in August 2011

103: Index in March, 2004 

558,000: Number of new businesses in 2009

565,000: Number in 2011

63: Number of IPOs priced in 2009

154: Number of IPOs priced in 2010

144: Number of IPOs priced in 2011 (annualized)

8: Percent of small business reporting unfilled job openings in 2009.

15: Percent in 2011

11: Net percent of small business owners expecting the economy to improve in 2009.

-26: Net percent in 2011

-4: Net percent of small businesses planning for higher sales in 2009. 

-12: Net percent in 2011.

-1: Net percent of small businesses planning to increase employment in 2009.

5: Net percent in 2011. 

8.5: Percent of workforce unemployed in March 2009 

9.1: Jobless rate in August 2011

- 284,000: Monthly change in aggregate number of small business jobs in March 2009

58,000: Monthly change in small business jobs, August 2011

9.2 million: Number of self-employed workers, March 2009

9.4 million: Number in August 2011

20: Percentage of small businesses looking to expand in January 2006.  

1: Percentage in March 2009  

5: Percentage in August 2011