Over 1200 homicides and 32,000 serious assaults in 12 urban neighborhoods in Dallas, Texas for the years 1981-1985 were studied. The neighborhoods were differentiated by socioeconomic status. The two types of crimes were compared demographically, temporally, in terms of locations, and in types of weapons used. More than half of the incidents of assault and homicide occurred in the summer, and well over half of the homicides occurred in residences. Assaults were more likely to occur in street settings. The study concludes that every assault is a potential homicide, and assault prevention may be a practical way of limiting homicides. (Author abstract modified)