The youth presented for services between April 27, 1999, and April 9, 2002. The sample consisted predominantly of Hispanic/Latino and African-American youth. The self-report questionnaire, known as Adquest, queried the sample about race/ethnicity and racism, school and education, work, safety, health, sexuality, substance abuse, and personal/family life. Adquest is intended to facilitate adolescent engagement in mental health services in a developmentally appropriate way. Perceived racism varied significantly by race/ethnicity. Asian/Pacific Islanders had the highest proportion of adolescents who reported experiences of racism (80 percent). Proportions of perceptions of racism among other racial/ethnic groups were 60.6 percent in West Indian/Caribbeans, 52.5 percent of multiethnic adolescents, 45.5 percent of Whites, 40.1 percent of African-Americans, and 32.4 percent of Hispanic/Latinos. There was no significant relationship between gender and lifetime experience of perceived racism. Across all ethnic groups, older adolescents tended to report more experiences of perceived racism. The perception of racism was significantly related to several indicators of environmental and behavioral risk. Racism was significantly associated with the most risk indicators for middle-age adolescents, including having been threatened with a weapon, having been a victim of violence, having been touched uncomfortably, and having used drugs in the prior month. Overall, racism across age and ethnic groups was significantly associated with more negative health and well-being outcomes than the following factors: ability to get a gun, sexual orientation, and being enrolled in school. This suggests that perception of racism is an important indicator in assessing a youth's various health risks. 7 tables, 29 references, and appended Adquest questionnaire