In every year of the 9-year study period, in every region of the country, for both sexes, and for every age group, blacks were many times more likely to die from homicide than whites. Black males consistently had the highest homicide rates of any race/sex group, and young black males were at especially high risk of death from homicide. Although blacks were at higher risk of death from homicide than whites, there were common homicide patterns across races. This suggests that the fundamental homicide causes are much the same regardless of race. Differences in homicide rates apparently occur because those factors which increase the risk of homicide victimization occur more often and more intensely among blacks than among whites. Preventive interventions developed for high-risk groups may thus apply to the general population. Directions for research and prevention are recommended. 3 tables, 4 figures, and 13 references.