Now you just roll 4D6 six times, drop the lowest die from each roll, and assign scores as you like. All abilities use the same table to get their modifiers from. Memorize the table progression and you are ready to go. Each ability is covered individually with tables of average scores for various races and creatures. There is also a section devoted to changing ability scores.
Characters now get to add one point to an ability score every fourth level.
There are six 'standard' races for 3 rd Edition. They are the Dwarf, Elf, Gnome, Halfling, Half-Orc and Human. In reference to the new art for the races, someone has already said there is only one race in 3E - elves. That assessment is a little harsh perhaps, but it does give you an idea of the change in the way the races are depicted. Gnomes are no longer goofy, big-nosed guys.