At least 18 antibacterial agents are currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of infections caused by susceptible and resistant bacteria. The beta-lactam class includes new parenteral carbapenems and cephalosporins with varying spectra of activities. The glycopeptides are antibiotics with in vitro activity primarily against Gram-positive bacteria, including multi-resistant strains. Three quinolones are being investigated for use against a variety of Gram-positive and respiratory Gram-negative organisms. Several other classes of antibacterial agents currently in clinical trials are represented by a glycolipodepsipeptide, a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor, an oxazolidinone, two peptide antibiotics, a glycylcycline, and a peptide deformylase inhibitor, a member of a new antibacterial class.