Highlights of the results include: (1) older adolescents were less likely to be eligible at telephone screening; (2) regardless of race, eligible adolescents who were referred by a professional had higher odds of presenting in person for consent; (3) African-Americans had statistically lower odds of providing consent; (4) females were more likely to be diagnosed with major depressive disorder; and (5) no significant differences were found between randomized participants and eligible adolescents who withdrew from the study before randomization. The findings underscore the importance of using multiple strategies to recruit adolescents for clinical trial participation and enhancing sensitivity to cultural variations, especially African-Americans. The relevance of a clinical trial was dependent on recruiting a sample that was representative of the targeted populations. However, little evidence was available on the best methods to recruit adolescents for clinical trials in pediatric psychiatry. This study examined factors associated with eligibility and randomization and considered the effectiveness of recruitment methods. It examined factors associated with eligibility and randomization among adolescents who did and did not participate in the Treatment for Adolescents with Depression Study (TADS). It examined the efficiency of the methods used to recruit depressed adolescents. It was hypothesized that adolescents who were referred by professional contact or multiple independent sources would be more likely to present in person for written consent and evaluation and randomization to treatment. Figure, tables, references