Data were collected between October 1990 and September 1993 through interviews with 99 active gang members and 24 ex-gang members. Ex-members reported they formerly belonged to one of six constellations of gangs from which active gang members were recruited. Not surprisingly, ex-gang members were older (mean of 19 years) than active gang members (mean of 17 years). The sample of active gang members included 4 white males, 7 black females, and 88 black males. Data suggested the way in which individuals left gangs was a function of individual and group characteristics. In some instances, persons made an explicit decision to leave, while others simply drifted away. The process of leaving the gang was typically a gradual one, and most ex-gang members said violence played a role in their decision to leave the gang. Interventions to keep individuals from joining gangs and to encourage them to leave gangs are considered, as well as the relationship between the emotional ties of ex-gang members and their activities with active gang members. 1 note and 1 table