Among the theorists of the Chicago School of the 1920's mentioned are Park, Burgess, and Thomas. Works by Taylor, Kroeber, Kluckhon, McClung Lee, and Gordon are examined, as well as important elements of subculture theory introduced by Durkheim. After describing different theoretical formulations on deviant subcultures, the author offers a more detailed analysis of two different specific subcultures -- the prison culture and the drug culture. The problem with the concept of 'subculture' is that it is unclear with respect to scope and limits. Another problem is the extent to which the members identify themselves with the culture -- whether that culture includes all aspects of the individual's life or merely parts of it. One partial explanation for the fact that young people cease committing crimes is that as adults, they do not find it necessary to assert their masculinity in the same way. Only a minority of juveniles continue as adults to be criminals. The author points out that differences in attitudes toward the law between individuals who commit crimes and those who do not commit crimes are not as great as might be expected. (Publisher abstract modified)