Compared the efficacy of social skills training for individuals with schizophrenia who did or did not have the deficit syndrome. Three Ss with the deficit syndrome and 3 with nondeficit negative symptoms received 12 wks of social skills training. Social skills and negative symptoms were evaluated before and after training and at 6 mo follow-up. Patients with schizophrenia who did not have the deficit syndrome demonstrated significantly better social skills and lower negative symptoms both after training and at follow-up than did those who had the deficit syndrome. Schizophrenic patients with nondeficit negative symptoms appear amenable to intensive social skills training, but schizophrenic patients with the deficit syndrome may have significant deficits in skill acquisition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)