In view of the dramatic increase in the number of women graduating from medical school in each of the past five years, this study explored patients' preferences for male versus female physicians. A questionnaire was designed to determine the patients' physician preferences in regard to each of the following areas: the sex of patient; the physician attribute variables, such as nature of recommendation, availability of physician, and age of the physician; and the nature of the patients' clinical problems. Results indicate that preferences were influenced by all three experimental variables. Specifically, patients tended to prefer same-sex physicians, especially for sexual problems or those involving a thorough physical exam. Physician recommendation and physician availability variables were found to influence preferences for male rather than female physicians for both routine and potentially serious problems. (Author/MAI)