To compare differences between types of friendships on an assortment of communication and situational variables, a study was conducted that involved pairs of four types of intimate friends: male-male, female-female, male-female with romantic interest, and male-female without romantic interest. Subjects, 61 pairs of college students, completed measures gauging (1) months of closeness, (2) self-disclosure, (3) communication efficiency, (4) protection of partner, (5) touch behavior, (6) similarity of academic interests, (7) perceived status, (8) extent of caring, and (9) probability of future emotional and geographic closeness. Results indicated that, overall, there was little difference among friendship types. However, male pairs gave evidence of greater stability while the nonromantic cross-sex pair tended to be more volatile than the other friendship types. Romantic pairs were the most certain of future commitment, while female pairs had the least control over the future of their relationship. (Author/FL)