The 25 teenage suicides that occurred in King County, Washington, during 1983 and 1984 were compared with the 158 adult suicides that occurred during 1984. The comparison included the following features: sex, race, declaration of intent, motive, method, isolation, alcohol or drug intoxication at the time of death, prior suicide threats and attempts, counseling history and diagnosis, and family history of suicide. For the teens, we also queried school or employment status, anxiety-producing experiences, symptoms of depression, marital history of the parents, and number and order of siblings.