Between March 1978 and April 1986, 21 previously untreated patients with T3 squamous cell carcinoma of the true vocal cord received radical courses of twice-a-day radiotherapy (120 cGy twice daily) to total doses of 7,440-7,680 cGy. The rate of local control at the primary site was 67% after radiotherapy. The ultimate control rate after salvage surgery was 83%. Five-year absolute and cause-specific survival rates were 59% and 81%, respectively. It is concluded that radiotherapy is a rational approach for many patients with T3 glottic cancer.