Linux distributions come in a wide variety of default security models. Some, such as MEPIS and Xandros come pretty much wide open, with about the same levels of security as your average OS X or Windows installation. Others, such as Fedora and Debian which, along with Gentoo, offers seperate “hardened” versions) come lightly secured out of the box, but with easy options to tighten them down some. Still others, with Adamantix leading the way, come highly secured.
Every Linux distribution has a specific focus, and only a few focus primarily on security. These are usually either research prototypes such as SELinux, server/router oriented distributions (Openwall, Trustix) or the aforementioned “hardened” versions of desktop distributions.
So, no, not all Linux distributions are equally secure out of the box. They could all be secured by a knowledgable user, but some make it easier than others. It is incumbent on the user to pick a dstribution that meets his/her needs with regards to security, among other things. Towards that end, DistroWatch and Linux Security will prove to be valuable resources in evaluating distributions.
These are the ramblings of 
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