This study used data collected in 1974 from 48 desegregated Southern high schools to investigate the effects of the racial and social class composition of a school on racial tension as it was perceived by black and white students. This report is a preliminary investigation of trends in a continuing analysis of the data. Less racial tension tended to be perceived by lower socioeconomic status (SES) blacks, higher SES whites, and the racial group (blacks or whites) in the majority in a given school. More racial tension was perceived by higher SES black students in majority white schools than was felt by blacks in other settings. Lower SES white students experienced more racial tension when enrolled in majority black schools in which the black students were from lower SES backgrounds. The practical and theoretical implications of the research are discussed. Tables of data are appended. (Author/MK)