The characteristics of 1311 head-injured patients admitted to 10 selected San Diego hospitals are detailed. Fifty patients who subsequently died are included. Glasgow coma scale scores were strongly related to survival. After adjustment for the Glasgow coma scale score, there was an independent association between age and survival, but not between sex and survival. The four characteristics associated with head injury that bore the highest case fatality ratios (all greater than 30%) in descending order were spinal cord injury, obstructed airway, difficulty breathing, and shock. Previous unconsciousness and transport by private vehicle were predictive of survival. None of the four adverse predictors or multiple injury showed an independent association with mortality when the Glasgow coma scale score was taken into account.