Over the last 40 years homicide rates have tripled in Massachusetts, but much of that increase occurred in the 1960's and 1970's. The average annual rate over the last 15 years increased from 3.69 victims per 100,000 residents to 3.90 victims per 100,000 residents. No increase over the past 5-year average occurred in 1993. However, some significant changes have occurred within the population. Comparing 4-year periods ending in 1982 and 1992, the average annual homicide rate for white residents decreased by 17 percent, while the rate for black residents increased by 19 percent. Most of the increase in the homicide rate for black residents resulted from a sharp increase in the rate among black teenage males; this increase resulted from an increase in gun homicides. The rate of homicides of black males ages 15-19 was 135 per 100,000 for 1989-92. Finally, the data reveal that serious violence has victimized people of every age, race, and sex in Massachusetts and that no community is immune from this problem. Figures, tables, photographs, and appended figures, tables, and methodological information