This article presents data on postgraduate year 1 positions in US residency programs. It points out the distinctions between data published annually in the Directory of Residency Training Programs and the data reported by the National Resident Matching Program on the subject of positions. On the basis of data reported from all accredited programs there were 1.3 positions for each US medical school graduate in 1983. The number of US graduates is expected to decrease in future years. The number of foreign medical graduates in residency programs is not increasing; however, the proportion of foreign graduates who are US citizens is increasing.