We investigate by means of a number of different dynamical Monte Carlo simu
lation methods the self-assembly of equilibrium polymers in dilute, semidil
ute and concentrated solutions under good-solvent conditions. In our simula
tions, both linear chains and closed loops compete for the monomers, expand
ing on earlier work in which loop formation was disallowed. Our findings sh
ow that the conformational properties of the linear chains, as well as the
shape of their size distribution function, are not altered by the formation
of rings. Rings only seem to deplete material from the solution available
to the linear chains. In agreement with scaling theory, the rings obey an a
lgebraic size distribution, whereas the linear chains conform to a Schultz-
Zimm type of distribution in dilute solution, and to an exponential distrib
ution in semidilute and concentrated solution. A diagram presenting differe
nt states of aggregation, including monomer-, ring-, and chain-dominated re
gimes, is given. The relevance of our work in the context of experiment is
discussed. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-9606(00)50740-5].