PIP: 15 women in the second trimester of pregnancy underwent induced abortions in a private clinic in Philadelphia by the super coil method which was, from the scanty literature then available, purportedly safe and suited for second trimester pregnancies. This method utilizes a plastic strip 40 cm long and 4.6 mm wide, wound into a spiral 2 cm in diameter. The coil is straightened and put in an inserter through which it is introduced via the cervical os into the uterus. The method calls for insertion of several coils, and balsa tents may also be placed in the cervical canal. The coils are removed 12-24 hours after insertion, and if the uterine contents are not totally expelled spontaneously, ovum forceps are used to remove them. Neither of the 2 physicians performing the abortions had had previous experience with this method. 13 of the 15 women who underwent super coil abortions received follow-up medical evaluation. Of these 13, 9 (60%) had complications, 3 of which were major (2 requiring major surgery). Although the small number of women in this series does not permit a definitive judgement of the risks associated with the super coil method, the results do indicate that this method is not without significant risk and is in need of further research.