Embodiments of the invention relate to implementing run-time instrumentation directed sampling. An aspect of the invention includes fetching a run-time instrumentation next (RINEXT) instruction from an instruction stream. The instruction stream includes the RINEXT instruction followed by a next sequential instruction (NSI) in program order. The method further includes executing the RINEXT instruction by a processor. The executing includes determining whether a current run-time instrumentation state enables setting a sample point for reporting run-time instrumentation information during program execution. Based on the current run-time instrumentation state enabling setting the sample point, the NSI is a sample instruction for causing a run-time instrumentation event. Based on executing the NSI sample instruction, the run-time instrumentation event causes recording of run-time instrumentation information into a run-time instrumentation program buffer as a reporting group.