STREET GANG MEMBERS WERE COMPARED WITH A MATCHED GROUP OF CONTROL SUBJECTS, WHO WERE NON-MEMBERS FROM THE SAME NEIGHBORHOODS. THE METHOD EMPLOYED BY THE RESEARCHERS INVOLVED COMPLETION OF A SELF-REPORT QUESTIONNAIRE BY A SAMPLE OF 486 MALE ADOLESCENTS. THE SUBJECTS REPLIED TO QUESTIONS CONCERNING ILLEGAL, AND SOMETIMES DANGEROUS, ACTS THEY WERE FORCED TO COMMIT BY GANG MEMBERS. TABLES ARE INCLUDED ILLUSTRATING COMPARISONS MADE BETWEEN GANG MEMBERS AND NON-MEMBERS AND BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE MEMBERS. THE MOST IMPORTANT FINDING EMANATING FROM THIS RESEARCH WAS THE NATURE AND EXTENT OF VIOLENT BEHAVIOR INSTIGATED AND COMMITTED BY STREET GANG MEMBERS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)