This paper analyzes data from an annual survey of high school seniors for racial and ethnic differences in the use of licit and illicit drugs. Data from 14 nationally representative surveys of high school seniors from 1976 through 1989 are used. The surveys, conducted in 130 schools polling 17,000 students each year, are described. Throughout the period, Native Americans had the highest prevalence rates for use of illicit drugs except cocaine, for frequent use of alcohol, and for use of cigarettes. White students had the next highest prevalence rates for most drugs. Asian Americans had the lowest prevalence rates, Black students had prevalence levels nearly as low, except for marijuana, and the Hispanic groups were mostly in the intermediate ranges, except for a relatively high prevalence of cocaine use among the males. Trend patterns for most forms of drug use have been similar across subgroups, with the following two notable exceptions: (1) cocaine use increases somewhat more than average among Hispanic seniors and less than average among Black seniors; and (2) the proportions smoking cigarettes have declined more sharply among Black than among White seniors, resulting in greater Black-White differences in recent years. Multivariate analyses indicate that subgroup differences in drug use cannot be attributed to background factors such as family composition, parents' education, region, or rural-urban distinctions. Study data are presented in 20 tables. A list of 51 references is included. (Author/JB)