The research project involved a panel study that overrepresented adolescents at high risk for delinquency. Results revealed that involvement in gangs is associated with substantially increased levels of juvenile delinquency and drug use for both males and females. The factors associated with gang membership are somewhat similar for both sexes, although lack of school success emerges as a factor of particular relevance for female adolescents. In addition, rates of female and male gang participation within high-risk communities were comparable. Findings suggested that theory and interventions need to address the phenomenon of female gang membership as an important component of urban youth problems. Tables, notes, appended research scale with factor loadings, and 83 references (Author abstract modified)