This study aimed to identify & evaluate any diurnal variations in suicide occurrence by age & gender in Italy during the period 1994-1997. A clear diurnal variation in the distribution of suicides over time was observed for both genders, with a peak in the late morning (8:00-11:00 a.m.), & a subsequent decrease to a trough in the night hours. This trend varied with age for both genders: the age groups 45-64 & 65+ showed a clear suicide peak in the morning whereas younger people had a peak number of suicides in the late afternoon. Diurnal variation in suicide occurrence by age group may be affected by factors unevenly distributed across age groups. (46 refs.)