The average suicide rate among doctors has been consistently high. A brief summary of 7 case studies is presented which points to the importance of role strain as a cause of suicide among U.S. doctors. Role strain exists when there are discrepancies between expectations & performances, promise & delivery, values & norms. It occurs when there are no other roles in the repertoire of the doctor, & is more likely to occur among U.S. doctors than doctors in other societies. (19 refs.) (RM)