In 1987, homicide was the 12th leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of premature mortality (i.e., years of potential life lost before age 65). Homicide affects all age, race, and sex groups and is the leading cause of death for young black males (15-24 years of age). Both the 1990 and Year 2000 Health Objectives for the Nation target a reduction in the homicide rate among this population. This report uses mortality statistics from CDC's National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) to characterize homicides among young black males for 1978-1987.