| Order / Lane | ATHLETE | COUNTRY | PB | SB 1987 | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada |  CAN | 38.76 | 38.76 | |
| Federal Republic of Germany |  FRG | 38.56 | 39.10 | |
| Ghana |  GHA | 39.77 | 39.77 | |
| Italy |  ITA | 38.37 | 39.58 | |
| Japan |  JPN | 39.49 | 39.49 | |
| Senegal |  SEN | 39.83 | 39.83 | |
| Spain |  ESP | 40.20 | 40.20 | |
| Soviet Union |  URS | 38.41 | 38.98 | 
| Order / Lane | ATHLETE | COUNTRY | PB | SB 1987 | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil |  BRA | 39.57 | 39.57 | |
| Chinese Taipei |  TPE | 40.05 | 40.05 | |
| Cuba |  CUB | 39.44 | 39.44 | |
| Hungary |  HUN | 38.67 | 39.11 | |
| Jamaica |  JAM | 38.39 | 38.88 | |
| Portugal |  POR | 40.10 | 40.10 | |
| PR of China |  CHN | 39.63 | 39.63 | |
| United States |  USA | 37.83 | 38.80 |