The management of indolent lymphomas is still controversial. Intensive therapies may improve remission rate but in association with toxicity. Fludarabine and idarubicin are very active drugs in indolent lymphomas. This pilot trial was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a regimen comprising fludarabine, idarubicin and prednisone (FLIDA) in the treatment of low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at diagnosis. We have assessed the response of 16 adult patients (median age 57 years, range 45-71 years) treated on an outpatient basis: the overall response rate was 93.8 per cent (CR 43.8 per cent, PR > or = 50 per cent). The toxicity of this regimen was very low, with no relevant hematological and infectious complications.