ANALYSIS OF HOMICIDE PATTERNS IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OHIO (METROPOLITAN CLEVELAND), FOR 1958-1974 DISCLOSES THE FOLLOWING MAJOR TRENDS: A DRAMATIC RISE IN OVERALL HOMICIDE RATES IN THE CITY (320 PERCENT) AND SUBURBS (200 PERCENT); AN INCREASE IN JUSTIFIABLE HOMICIDE; A DOUBLING OF PERCENTAGE OF HOMICIDES INCIDENT TO OTHER FELONIES; A MARKEDLY INCREASED INCIDENCE OF HOMICIDE AMONG YOUNGER PERSONS; A CONSPICUOUS RISE IN FIREARM KILLINGS (NOW 81 PERCENT OF ALL HOMICIDES); AND A CONTINUED PREPONDERANCE OF INTRARACIAL HOMICIDE, WITH THE HIGHEST RATES AMONG NONWHITE MALES IN THE CITY. THE TRENDS IN CUYAHOGA COUNTY ARE CONSISTENT WITH THOSE IN OTHER UNITED STATES METROPOLITAN COUNTIES. HOMICIDE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR A MAJOR PART OF THE DECREASED LIFE EXPECTANCY AMONG YOUNG, URBAN, NONWHITE MEN. THE FACTOR MOST CONSISTENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THESE TRENDS IS THE INCREASED USE OF HANDGUNS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED--RCB)