More than half of all murder victims in large cities are young black males - who are killed by other young black males. The vast majority of the murderers - and even a large percentage of their victims - have had previous trouble with the law. These findings are reported in a recent government study.

Even though only 20 percent of the general population in large urban counties is black, blacks comprise 54 percent of all murder victims and 62 percent of all murder defendants. While 48 percent of the general population is between ages 15 and 45, 75 percent of murder victims and 91 percent of defendants are in that age range. And 75 percent of murder victims and 90 percent of defendants are males.

The study of murder in large urban counties in 1988 also shows:

• Three-quarters of all murder defendants and 44 percent of all victims had been arrested or convicted in the past.

• Circumstances involving illegal drugs accounted for 18 percent of the defendants and 16 percent of the victims.

• Handguns were used in half the murders and knives in 21 percent.

Fifty-two percent of the general population is female, but only one in 10 murder defendants and just over two in 10 murder victims is female. A third of the female vic-tims, but only one in 10 male vic-tims, are killed by their spouse or romantic partner. The study further notes that:

• Six of every 10 arrests for murder resulted in a murder conviction.

• More than 99 percent of defendants in capital offense cases - those with a murder charge that could result in a death penalty - were convicted of some charge.

• Half the defendants with a capital murder charge received a life sentence, and an eighth were sentenced to death.

Source: John M. Dawson, "Murder in Large Urban Counties, 1988," Special Report, May 1993, Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice.