Attempting to find empirical evidence to support an hypothesis on the social stratification system in Robeson County, North Carolina, the study theorized that there exists a caste system in which the Lumbee Indians have a status between the dominant whites and subordinate Negro groups. The Lumbees and their relationship to these other groups were examined. Data were gleaned from 2 regional studies--a survey of 3 North Carolina counties (Ashe, Anson, and Robeson), and a resurvey thereof. These counties were drawn according to an area probability sampling design. Data from 69 households in Robeson County were analyzed using chi-square test of significance. Results indicated that in most instances the Lumbee Indians' family adjustment resembles that of the Negroes or the dominant whites. American Indians in Robeson County seemed to be worse off economically than whites. The traditional bi-racial (white-nonwhite) caste system was evidently more adequate in explaining the living adjustment patterns of these groups than the previous tri-ethnic group caste system, which does not allow for the attitude differences indicated by this study. (Author/FF)