The clinical and bacteriologic features of 269 cases of prostatic abscess (PA) reported during the last 40 years were reviewed. In the pre-antibiotic era, PA not uncommonly had a dramatic presentation and frequently was caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Currently, PA may be difficult to differentiate from prostatitis and other diseases of the lower urogenital tract. Prostatic enlargement is found in 75% of cases, whereas fever and urinary retention each occur in only one-third of cases. The organisms most frequently isolated from PA are Escherichia coli and other gram-negative bacilli; other isolates include Staphylococcus species and an expanding spectrum of bacteria and fungi. PA due to Staphylococcus species may also occur in neonates. Transrectal ultrasonography and computerized tomography are valuable methods for the preoperative diagnosis of PA. Although transurethral resection of the prostate is the most commonly used therapy for PA, transperineal aspiration of pus guided by transrectal ultrasonography appears to be promising.