Ethanol metabolism rates were investigated in a group of 17 male American Indians and a group of 17 male whites of similar age, education, weight, and drinking history. A moderate dose of alcohol (0.52 g/kg) was administered orally to each subject, and blood alcohol levels were determined by breath analysis. The American Indian group demonstrated a significantly faster rate of alcohol metabolism than the white group. The peak blood alcohol level was significantly higher for the American Indians than for the whites, and the American Indian group demonstrated a significantly faster absorption rate than the white group.