Differentials in the use of preventive health care were investigated for a sample of 123 rural white, urban white, and urban black infants from data reported by their mothers. The data were compared on two measures of preventive care: immunization records and frequency of well checkups. Immunization scores were highest for urban white children, followed by rural white children, and lowest for urban black children. However, urban black children had better scores for preventive checkups than rural white children. Multiple Classification Analysis was used to identify specific demographic, economic, and accessibility variables that explain much of the race/residence differential in both measures. On the basis of the data, it can be concluded that as demographic and economic differentials are narrowed among residence and race groups, the utilization differentials should also narrow. However, in order to improve accessibility to preventive care for infants, it is important to continue efforts to encourage mothers of newborns to establish ties with a place for regular preventive care. (Author/GC)