[en] The problem of superconductivity in V, Nb, and Ta binary solid solutions is discussed in the light of interatomic pair interaction and density of states. Using a tight-binding recursion method for degenerate d-bands the superconducting transition temperatures are calculated for equiconcentration V-Nb, V-Ta, and Nb-Ta alloys. The theoretical predictions about the existence of clustering of similar atoms in Nb-Ta and ordering in V-Ta and V-Nb alloys is confirmed by measuring the values of Cowley's short-range order parameter α/sub i/ for these systems. The measured data show negative values of α/sub i/ on the first coordination sphere for V-Nb and V-Ta alloys and positive values for Nb-Ta. (author)