Rates within the region are compared to those of the Nation. During the 5-year period, 34,376 persons in the region died from gunshot wounds, for an annual rate of 19.5 per 100,000--34 percent higher than the national rate. Among the states in the region, New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana respectively had the highest rates (all above 22 per 100,000); only Kansas had a rate lower than that of the Nation. Proportions by intentionality, race, and age were similar for the region and the Nation. In the region, firearms were involved in 26 percent of all accidental deaths, 69 percent of suicides, and 65 percent of homicides. Tables express the data broken down into race, gender, and age categories by state. (The states in the region are Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.) Suicide rates were five to six times higher among males than among females, and higher than average among 15- to 24-year-olds, whites, and persons over age 65. Homicide rates were particularly high among 15- to 34-year-old black males. 41 references and 90 appendixes