>Thanks for the suggestions, Sergey & Irv. But after trying all combinations of DODEFAULT() and NODEFAULT in event frmDataEntry.txtLastName.LostFocus(), before and after having it call frmDuplicates.Show(), the result is still the same: my second form displays briefly, then focus returns to the first form.
>
>Any other suggestions?

If you make the second form modal, it should work, I think. Otherwise send me a message to my work address, I have similar situation (though I use command button to invoke second form)...