This study aims to describe the prevalence of CAGE-positive third-year high school students in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, in 1994. The sample consisted of 1,171 students: 598 (51%) from public and 573 (49%) from private schools. We found reference to previous alcoholic beverage consumption in 93% of the interviewees. The highest prevalence was among male students (p<0.02) and students from private schools (p<0.03). Half of the students reported weekly consumption, usually when going to parties (60%) and bars (17%). CAGE positiveness prevalence was 8.3% overall and 11% among males (p<0.02). When variables like gender, age, and socioeconomic status were controlled, there was no statistically significant difference between the kind of school and CAGE status.