Forty-six pain clinic patients (British) were compared with 143 nonclinical subjects (Canadian) on a variety of demographic and illness variables. A subset of 43 nonclinical subjects was further compared with the 46 pain clinic patients for depression and illness behaviour. Both groups were well matched for age, sex, and marital status. The nonclinical group was better educated and had higher incomes. The nonclinical group was significantly more socially active. Low back pain, joint pain, and head and chest pain were commonly reported by both groups. Nearly 75% of subjects in both groups were aware of the diagnosis for their pain condition. On Beck Depression Inventory both groups scored in the nondepressed range. On the Illness Behaviour Questionnaire the pain clinic group scored significantly higher on disease conviction. somatization, and denial than did the nonclinical sample.