Many factors may influence the evolution and survival in primary gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. To determine their importance, clinico-pathological and therapeutical aspects were analysed in 34 patients with primary gastrointestinal non-Hodgkin's lymphoma between Jan 1983 and Dec 1995. Diagnosis was performed with endoscopy-biopsy, surgery or both. Specimens were classified according to the Kiel classification and the MALT concept formulated by Isaacson. Staging was done according to the Ann Arbor staging system modified by Musshoff. Staging and follow-up included bone marrow biopsy, ultrasonography, chest-x-ray, computer tomography, regularly gastroscopy and in two cases lymphography. Therapy included surgery(SUR), chemotherapy(CT) and radiotherapy(XRT) in different combinations, but 19 patients of 34 received all of them. Survival was measured from initial diagnosis to either the end of follow-up or death. The average follow-up was 48 months (range 2–144). 29 of 34 patients(85.2%) obtained a CR, 2 patients(5.8%) achieved a PR. Progression was observed in only 1 patient. There have been 7 relapses: 4 of them died and 3 achieved a CR again. Patients in PR also expired. Overall survival ranged from 6 to 144 months(an average of 50.8) and disease-free survival from 3 to 131 months(an average of 46.9), respectively. The best overall and disease-free survivals were obtained with combination of SUR-CT-XRT followed by SUR-CT and CT-XRT. Outcome of stage IE was more favourable with no influence of histology. It is concluded, that SUR, CT and XRT applied together could prolong overall and disease-free survivals without increased risk of adverse reactions.