Risk cues which are useful in determining suicide risk are summarized. Age, sex, marital status, living arrangements, race, employment, & physical health are valuable cues. The patient most at risk is an older, white, divorced, unemployed male who lives alone & is in poor health. During the medical interveiw, the two most telling cues which might arise are depression & alcoholism. Hopelessness, social isolation, talking of suicide, & a prior suicide attempt are also useful cues. (12 refs.) (RM)