The functional and phenotypic characteristics of cells in human peripheral blood that mediate "natural killer" (NK) cytolysis have been examined with the use of multiparameter flow cytometry analysis and cell sorting. Essentially, all lymphocytes expressing NK and ADCC activity reacted with the anti-Leu-11a monoclonal antibody. The Leu-11a antigen was expressed on cytotoxic large granular lymphocytes (LGL), neutrophils, and basophils, but was not present on B cells, mitogen-activated T lymphoblasts, or Leu-1+ and Leu 4+ resting T cells. Anti-Leu-11a antibody selectively inhibited the binding of FITC heat-aggregated IgG complexes to granulocytes and LGL, and it may recognize a type of Fc receptor on these cells. Two-color FACS cell sorting indicated the existence of four lymphocyte subsets defined by the expression of Leu-11a and Leu-7 antigens. The Leu-11a+, -7- cells were highly active in 4-hr NK assays with the use of 51Cr-labeled K562 as the target. In contrast, the Leu-11a-, -7+ cells demonstrated weak activity and the Leu-11a-, -7- cells demonstrated no activity. The function of the Leu 11a+, -7+ cells varied considerably among several individuals examined. Multiparameter analysis with the use of two-color flow cytometry was used to determine the relationship between the expression of these NK-associated antigens and T and B cell-associated markers. These data indicate that considerable heterogeneity exists within human peripheral lymphocytes with regard to cell phenotype and function, but that several defined cellular subsets can be clearly revealed by using multiparameter FACS analysis and sorting.