The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test, Quantity-Frequency Index, Impairment Index, and questionnaire soliciting the frequency and magnitude of violent episodes were administered to couples who were physically abusive, maritally discordant but nonviolent, and satisfactorily married. There were 26 couples in the first two groups and 15 couples in the third group. Physically abusive males had significantly higher scores on the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test. No significant differences were found between groups of wives on alcohol measures. Correlational analyses revealed a number of significant relationships between husbands' self-reported drinking and wives' responses concerning their spouses' alcohol use. Findings suggest the need for a more extensive assessment of physically abusive males and the utility of examining the interactive influences of alcohol and other factors on marital violence. 3 tables and 38 references. (Author abstract modified)