Data from 17 adolescents who attempted suicide & came to the attention of the Payne Whitney Suicide Prevention Clinic during the years 1968-70 were analyzed for information regarding sex, birth order, sex of siblings & family constellation. The results indicated that there was a significant trend for firstborn females to be overrepresented among adolescent suicide attempters. In addition, father loss was frequently noted in their histories. A theoretical rationale for the study is presented.(DD)