PIP: Oxytocin was infused at 10 units per hour in 100 ml Ringers lactate after instilling saline for 108 midtrimester abortions in 107 patients. Amniocentesis was performed in the treatment room with drapes, cap, mask, gloves, local anesthetic, but without pelvic examination. Strict care was taken that clear amniotic fluid flowed before 20% saline was injected. The patients averaged 23 years old, 2.05 parity and 17.6 weeks since their last menstral period, but the 41 multiparas were significantly older than the 66 primiparas. In 7 amniocenteses more than one puncture was needed. The mean volume of saline instilled was 185 ml over a 10 minute interval. Although time before oxytocin and labor did not differ significantly, the mean length of labor was significantly shorter in multiparas (6.7 hours) than in primiparas (10.5). Thus the total mean time to abortion was 19 hours for multiparas compared with 26 hours for primiparas (p less than .0005). Frequency of incomplete abortion (34%) needing curettage (4.6%) rather than manual or sponge stick manipulation was high. Complications included 1 failure to abort, 20 instances of tachycardia during amniocentesis, 1 fever, and 1 grand mal seizure probably due to water intoxication.