The subject of this investigation is the stability of externally- pressurized, gas-lubricated bearings. An analysis is made which treats the flow within the gas film on a distributed, rather than on a lumped parameter basis. Rectangular and circular bearing configurations are considered and the effect of several parameters on stability is investigated. Results of the present analysis are compared and contrasted with those obtained from earlier, simplified theories. The experimental program pursued here is guided by the analysis. An apparatus is designed, constructed and instrumental to provide for the variation of governing parameters and for the accurate determination of their critical values. Comparison of theory and experiment is made and the validity of theoretical assumptions, relative to the experimental model, is discussed.