The particular issue examined was whether young black males receive especially harsh sentences compared to young white males and to the other race-gender-age groups (i.e., to older offenders of both races and to younger and older females). This study analyzed data on sentencing outcomes in Pennsylvania for 1989-92, compiled by the Pennsylvania Commission on Sentencing. The data provided detailed information on sentences as well as complete and specific information on offense type/severity, prior record, number of convictions, and other offender-related and court contextual variables that might affect sentencing decisions. The study found that young black males were sentenced more harshly than any other group, and race was most influential in the sentencing of younger rather than older males. The influence of offender's age on sentencing was greater among males than females; and the main effects of race, gender, and age were more modest compared to the large differences in sentencing outcomes across certain age-race-gender combinations. These findings show the importance of considering the joint effects of race, gender, and age on sentencing, as well as of using interactive rather than additive models. 6 tables and 64 references