A database of laboratory and clinical values was collected from 200 patients with acute pancreatitis. This database was analyzed using several multiple-parameter indicator systems. All systems tested demonstrated a similar ability to predict accurately both mortality and severity in these patients. The predictive power was maintained whether the scores were grouped or presented individually. The superiority of one system over another could not be demonstrated. It is probable that systems could be devised that would be just as effective as those analyzed; on the other hand, a trend toward unification is very desirable.