This invention is directed to novel integrin binding peptides. These peptides bind to .alpha..sub.v- of .alpha..sub.5-containing integrins and can exhibit high binding affinity. They contain one of the following sequence motifs: RX.sub.1ETX.sub.2WX.sub.3 [SEQ ID NO:1] (especially RRETAWA [SEQ ID NO:8]); RGDGX [SEQ ID NO:2], in which X is an amino acid with a hydrophobic, aromatic side chain; the double cyclic CX.sub.1CRGDCX.sub.2C [SEQ ID NO:15]; and RLD. The peptides generally exhibit their highest binding affinity when they assume a conformationally stabilized configuration. This invention also provides methods of using these peptides.