Potential predictors of the functional health status of 125 end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients were studied cross-sectionally. When health status was assessed by the physician with the Karnofsky Index, younger patient age, lower ESRD severity of illness, lower comorbidity severity, and higher albumin levels were predictors of better health [R-square = 0.48]. When patients self-reported their health status with the Duke Health Profile, African-American race, higher family support, lower family stress, and lower ESRD severity were positive predictors [R-square = 0.23]. The importance of measuring functional status, severity of illness, and social support and stress of ESRD patients is supported by these findings.