Yes, in the book The Outsiders Ponyboy in fact DOES participate.
Darry, his oldest brother
Go see ponyboy in the hospital
A rumble
From being kicked in the head by the Soc during the rumble.
takes 5 asprins
He collapsed just after Dallas was shot by the police.
ponyboy fights for
Dallas Winston
Ponyboy calls the other gangs more rough and organized than his.
Doesn't he run... maybe football.
The hospital to see Johnny because he was dying.
Ponyboy is feeling sick before the rumble, and swallows five aspirin. He also struggles to eat his dinner. The boys bathe, and make themselves look tuff. They are excited when they left for the rumble.