Prostagland-n E2 (PGE2) was administered orally to 109 patients to induce labor. Sixty-five of these patients had an amniotomy prior to PGE2 administration. PGE2 was administered to the remaining. 44, who subsequently underwent amniotomy only after their cervices had reached approximately 6 cm dilation. Labor was successfully induced in 95 patients, but its duration was shorter when amniotomy was immediatedly followed by PGE2 administration. Failed cases were successfully managed with amniotomy and oxytocin infusion. Maternal side effects were minimal. No fetal complications occurred.