The relationship between the farm economic crisis & farmer suicide rates was examined using data from 15 US states for 1980-85. Suicide frequencies for farmers, & 2 control groups,forestry & transportation workers, were obtained. 1980 population data was used to convert these into rates. Farmer suicide rates were greater than rates for transportation workersbut did not differ from rates for forestry workers. A correlation was found between declining farm economy & increasing state suicide rates.