Initial ratings (1956-69) for rigidity, strain, sleep disturbance, asthenia & heredity for alcoholism/personality disturbance/suicide were more frequent for male alcoholics with peptic ulcers (n=87) than for those without (n=913). By 1981, 17% of the ulcer group & 6% of the other had committed suicide. In the ulcer group, strain/tension was significantly related to future suicide; heredity & rigidity/perfectionism were not. (K M)