From 1973 to 1983 170 patients underwent surgical treatment of small cell lung cancer. In 2/3 of the cases we performed lobectomy resp. bilobectomy including bronchoplastic and arterioplastic resections, the other third of patients underwent pneumonectomy. 26 patients (15%) died within 30 days. Postoperative mortality in patients with pneumonectomy was 17% and in patients undergoing lobectomy 7%. Since 1978 lethality rate dropped from 20% to 7%. Due to polychemotherapy, estimated time of survival (according to Kaplan and Meier) has increased significantly, adding up to 3-years- and 5-years-survival rates of 31% and 20% respectively.