This document presents mortality statistics for 1985 for the entire United States. Data analysis and discussion of these factors is included: death and death rates; death rates by age, sex, and race; expectation of life at birth and at specified ages; causes of death; infant mortality; and maternal mortality. Highlights reported include: (1) the 2,086,440 deaths registered in the United States in 1985 represented an increase of 47,071 over the 1984 number and was the largest annual final number ever recorded; (2) population growth and the "aging" of the population contributed to the increased number of deaths; (3) the age-adjusted death rate for 1985 was essentially the same as the 1984 rate; (4) 1985 had elevated influenza morbidity and mortality; (5) 1985 life expectancy at birth was 74.7 years; (6) women were expected to outlive men by an average of 7 years; (7) whites were expected to outlive blacks by 5.8 years; (8) nearly 75% of deaths resulted from heart disease, cancer, stroke, or accidents and adverse effects; (9) males experienced higher mortality than females for each of the 15 leading causes of death, with the greatest sex differential being for suicide; and (10) although the downward trend in infant mortality has slowed in recent years, the 1985 infant mortality rate was at a record low. Five figures and 24 data tables are included. (ABL)