A review of the earlier methodology indicated serious theoretical and methodological limitations. The present study corrected for these difficulties. The analysis reestimated the Smith and Bennett regression model for all 246 Standard Metropolitan Statistical Areas for which 1980 rape and sociodemographic data were available. It compared the findings with an analysis of the 85 areas where the rape rates were at least one standard deviation beyond the mean rate. Results showed support for Blau and Blau's argument that high rates of metropolitan rape are an apparent 'cost' of general and racial economic inequality but not poverty. The analysis strongly suggests that the rape problem is not beyond the reach of general and racial economic reform. Figures, tables, and 33 references. (Author abstract modified)