The USA suicide rate during 1940-84 was posited to result from the interplay of economic & social variables. Results indicate that: 1) suicide rates did not increase during economic booms & busts; 2) the unemployment rate had a significant impact only on the white male suicide rate; 3) the female labor force participation rate lowered suicide rates for females; 4) the divorce rate affected the suicide rate for all social groups; & 5) Catholicism had a positive association with suicide rates.