The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia and the Research Diagnostic Criteria were used to ascertain community-based rates of affective and nonaffective psychiatric disorders. Both current-point and lifetime prevalence rates were reported for a sample of whites, blacks and Mexican-Americans. Rates for whites were compared with those reported for another community sample in which the same diagnostic criteria were applied. Comparison of lifetime rates from the two studies showed good concurrence for most of the affective disorders, particularly depression. This study also examined differences in rates by ethnic status.