Occupational mortality in women who died in England & Wales from 1970-1972 was analysed. Many of the associations were consistent with those that have been described for men, with high mortality ratios for suicide in the medical & allied professions. The description of occupational mortality among women in England & Wales is hampered by the incomplete recording of information about their occupations at registration of death. As women now constitute 40% of the workforce, it is suggested that it is time the registrar’s guidelines for the recording of women’s occupations be revised. (22 refs.)