The effect of multidisciplinary treatment of small cell carcinoma of the lung was tested. The response rates to induction chemotherapy were 69.2% (9/13) and 57.1% (12/22) in small cell carcinoma of the lung with limited and extensive disease, respectively. The response rates of oat and intermediate cells were 63.6% (14/22) and 50% (5/10), respectively. Radiation therapy to primary site and mediastinum after induction chemotherapy was also effective, producing the response rates of 87.8% (7/8) and 58.3% (7/12) in limited disease and extensive disease, respectively. The non-responder and recurrent cases responded to chemotherapy with epipodophyllotoxin and/or cisplatin but not with mitomycin C and/or adriamycin. The median survival of all 37 cases was 12.2+ months, and those with limited and extensive cases were 14.8+ and 8.7 months, respectively.