In an occupational mortality surveillance study, cause-specific mortality patterns by occupation and industry, among Rhode Island residents who died during the period 1968-78, were examined using the age-standardized proportionate mortality ratio (PMR) method. A noteworthy finding was an elevated PMR for malignant melanoma among white males in the printing industry (PMR = 460, observed deaths = 6, p less than .01). When the results of other epidemiologic studies are reviewed in aggregate, they are consistent with this finding. A wide variety of chemicals, some of which are known or suspected human or animal carcinogens, are used in the printing industry. There is also potential exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The hypothesis of a relationship between malignant melanoma and occupational exposures in the printing industry should be investigated further.