This report presents findings from a spring 1997 survey of all middle-school students (grades 6-8) enrolled in schools funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The Centers for Disease Control Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) was completed by 6,990 students in 115 of the 122 BIA-funded middle schools; the overall response rate was 74 percent. The self-administered Middle School YRBS is a 55-item questionnaire that assesses the prevalence of six categories of behaviors that contribute substantially to death, illness, and social problems among U.S. youth and adults: (1) unintentional and intentional injuries; (2) tobacco use; (3) alcohol and other drug use; (4) sexual behaviors that contribute to unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease, including HIV infection; (5) dietary behaviors; and (6) physical activity. Findings in each category are detailed in narrative and chart form and compared to national and high school findings. Some findings include: (1) less seat belt use among males, less use of helmets among males, 37 percent of all students took a gun to school, 64 percent engaged in a fight, and one-third had considered suicide; (2) over 78 percent had tried cigarette smoking; (3) three in five had used alcohol, and 51 percent had used marijuana; (4) 20 percent had sexual intercourse; (5) 23 percent thought of themselves as overweight; and (6) 69 percent participated in vigorous physical activity. A chart shows ages of initiation for various survey activities. Tables break down findings by sex and grade. Suggestions are offered for the role of schools in addressing the risk behaviors examined in this survey. (SAS)