The anxiolytic action of clorazepate 15 mg PO on the eve and 1 hour before the surgical procedure was studied in 50 ASA class 1 patients (18-60 years old, 46-86 kg) scheduled for elective non-oncological surgery. Anxiety, assessed by the anaesthetist employing a modified Hamilton Anxiety Scale, was lower after premedication in 46 patients (p less than 0.01) and only few side-effects were noted. As a conclusion we suggested that clorazepate PO as anaesthetic premedication is suitable for anxiety relief.