48 Hours spends two days following the life and death struggles at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas. It offers a first hand look at health care in an emergency ward and interviews doctors and nurses while observing them as they tend to the needs of their patients.

48 Hours spends two days in Las Vegas to explore the world of glitzy world of gambling. It takes a in depth look at the the ubiquity of gaming opportunities, gambling addiction, and cheating in casinos. It also interviews Vegas entertainers, showgirls and some of the youth of the city.

48 Hours spends two days at Denver's Stapleton Airport during the first weekend of they year, the busiest of the season. They examine operations of the airport, flight scheduling, maintenance, the hub-and-spoke system, in-flight meals, baggage handling, customer service, airline competition, and air traffic control.

48 Hours spends two days in Israel to examine the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians in the occupied territories including the West Bank and the Gaza strip. It attempts to examine the root cause of the conflict and examines how it affects the people living there.

48 Hours spends two days in New Hampshire to get a first hand look at the presidential campaigns there. It profiles candidates Bruce Babbit, Paul Simon, Jesse Jackson, and Jack Kemp. It also cover the Republican candidates dinner and interviews Bob Dole.

48 Hours goes to the streets of New York City, Fort Lauderdale, and San Diego to explore the world of runaway children. Some run from homes shattered by economic hardship, alcohol and drug abuse, and sexual abuse. The world they enter is filled wither danger, violence, and disease.

48 Hours spends two days in Miami to look at how the city is trying to get past its reputation for crime and violence. It follows police and prosecutors and looks at they uphill battle they face. It also looks at how immigration is changing the face of the city.

48 Hours investigates college basketball. It talks to players, coaches, cheerleaders, fans, recruiters and recruits. It interviews North Carolina State head coach Jim Valvano, looks at athletes in the classroom, and visits a a top-ranked high school that has become a battlefield in the college recruiting war.

48 Hours goes behind the glitz and glamour to take a look at the real Hollywood. It talks to hopeful actors and actresses who audition for parts as many as 30 times a day. It also talks with tourists visiting the city, film producers who work on movies, and critics who assess film.

48 Hours investigates the scandal wracked world of television evangelism. It looks at gives an overview of recent scandals and examines the effects of such scandals on believers. It talks to disillusioned followers as well as 'Born Again' Christians who keep the faith.

48 Hours takes a behind-the-scenes look at the space program and offers a status report on how NASA is attempting to restart space shuttle flights in the wake of the 1986 Challenger Disaster. It follows engineers and scientists as they prepare for the upcoming launch of the space shuttle Discovery.

48 Hours takes an inside look at the ongoing battle against cocaine trafficking in the world. It goes to Bolivia, South Florida, and Washington D.C. to look at the drug trade and offers an inside look at the growing problem of cocaine use and addiction in the United States.

48 Hours takes a behind the scenes look at New York's Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. It looks at the many aspects of the competition where over two thousand dogs compete to become best in show. It follows as the field of candidates is narrowed to seven finalists and ultimately one champion.

48 Hours takes a special in depth look at the nation's number one killer: heart disease. It looks at the many different ways in which researchers, doctors, and other health professionals are trying to combat the disease and understand the factors that can cause it.

48 Hours takes a behind-the-scenes look at the people who shape the world of fashion. It visits a show set up by designer Bill Blass show and talks to up-and-coming designer Marc Jacobs. It also visits a fashion retailer, talks to fashion reports, and a high price runway model.

48 Hours takes an in depth look at the men and women of America's armed forces who are prepared to go to war at a moments notice. It focuses on military training and the combat skills acquired by people and service. It also takes a behind-the-scenes and the grueling training period known as Hell Week.

48 Hours reports on the upcoming Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. It takes a behind-the-scenes look as American athletes and their Soviet counterparts prepare for competition. It also takes a look at serious security issues that surround the upcoming games.

48 Hours spends two days investigating domestic violence. It talks to police officers and victims and looks at the role alcohol and drug abuse can take in domestic violence. It also looks at how aspects of the home environment can lead to abuse. It interviews battered men and women and looks at how Minnesota became the first state to treat domestic violence as a crime.

48 Hours spends two days in South Central Los Angeles to take a behind-the-scenes look at youth street gangs. It spends time with members of Los Angeles' two largest street gangs and examines the vicious cycle of violence that traps many youths. It also talks to police officers and people who are trying to bring about change.

48 Hours spends two days investigating the big business behind weddings. It talks to bridal consultants and wedding planners who help create the elaborate and expensive ceremonies that couples demand. It also looks at the important art of making the perfect wedding cake.

48 Hours takes a behind-the-scenes look at the prestigious European auto race held annually at Le Mans, France. It talks to the men who spend twenty-four hours traveling over 3,000 miles on the race tracks. It also looks at some of the corporations that sponsor the race.

48 Hours offers an in depth investigation into the parole system of the United States. It talks to the prisoners who are seeking our parole and the victims of crimes that want to see parole denied. It also talks to parole board members about what they are looking in a prisoner who is ready for parole.

48 Hours spends two days in Northern California visiting Yosemite National Park. It investigates some of the serious issues facing parks in the United States and looks at the growing conflict between the desires of recreational users and conservationists and preservationists.

48 Hours rebroadcasts segments of its April report on cocaine trafficking, but updates the program with a report on the July arrest of the notorious Bolivian drug lord Roberto Suarez. Suarez was one of the largest cocaine traffickers in Bolivia and his arrest is a major breakthrough in the drug war there.

48 Hours spends two days visiting Wyoming's famed Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo. It talks to flamboyant rodeo personalities, country music stars, community volunteers, and entrepreneurs. It also shows live ring action and visits a nearby dude ranch that specializes in trail drive reenactment.

48 Hours rebroadcasts segments of its March report on the lost generation of runaways in America, but updates the program with new reports on ongoing efforts to track down runaway children in an effort to bring them back home.