A total of 149 subjects (34 males and 115 females) between the ages of 12 and 16 were administered the Reading section of the Wide Range Achievement Test, Coddington's Life Events Inventory, and the High School Personality Questionnaire. Demographic data were obtained from each subject's intake interview form. A stepwise multiple discrimination analysis resulted in the selection of eight variables that discriminate between the first-time and recidivist runaways. The eight discriminant variables characterized the recidivist runaway as an urban, Caucasian youth who has had previous contact with an agency, has stayed at the center an average of 13.6 days, has lower general intelligence, is less objective and less self-sufficient, and is at risk of becoming psychotic or delinquent. (Author abstract)