In 1985, homicide was the 11th leading cause of death in the State; It was the fourth leading cause of YPLL. Homicide was the leading cause of YPLL for black males and the third leading cause for black females. Among males, the homicide-attributable YPLL rate for blacks was 16.2 times that for whites; for black females it was 7.2 times that for whites. Blacks account for only 14.4 percent of the population, but for 68.3 percent of the total homicide-attributable YPLL. Firearms were the cause of 65.3 percent of homicides, while assaults with piercing or cutting instruments accounted for 16.6 percent. Firearms accounted for 72.7 percent of homicide-related YPLL among black males and females and accounted for a greater average YPLL than homicides caused by other means. Results emphasize the urgent need to prevent the premature mortality from homicide among black males and the importance of preventing injuries resulting from the use of firearms. Data highlight the importance of implementing and evaluating prevention measures such as Detroit's handgun ordinance and a plan to integrate police and health department data bases for surveillance of homicide. 4 tables and 3 references.