Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in blacks. The prevalence of COPD among blacks was estimated from the spirometry data obtained from the first National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 1971-1975. Of 873 subjects, 585 (67%) had acceptable spirometry trials. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was defined as a forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) less than 65% of the predicted value. The mean FEV1 percentage predicted was 96.7%. The overall prevalence of COPD was 5.4%; 3.7% for males and 6.7% for females. The prevalence was significantly higher with age for both males and females. The multiple logistic regression analyses showed that age and sex were associated with COPD but respiratory symptoms did not attain statistical significance.