The MCMI-II profiles of 40 psychiatric inpatients admitted for suicidal ideation & 40 patients admitted for a suicide attempts were compared. Results indicate very few differences between the 2 groups; however, suicide attempters scored higher on desirability, while patients experiencing suicidal ideation were higher in passive-aggressive, self-defeating, boderline, dysthymia, & debasement levels. Findings are discussed in terms of the stress-vulnerability model of suicidal behavior. (VM)