Endoscopic electrocoagulation was performed on 40 occasions for 38 patients with bleeding gastrointestinal lesions. Cessation of bleeding was achieved in 95%. Fifteen gastric ulcers, 14 duodenal ulcers, 6 Mallory-Weiss tears, 1 gastric varix, hemorrhagic antral gastritis and 1 esophageal ulcer were successfully electrocoagulated. Three duodenal and 3 gastric ulcers rebled. One duodenal ulcer and 1 gastric ulcer were successfully reelectrocoagulated. Failure to stop bleeding by electrocoagulation occurred in 1 Mallory-Weiss tear and 1 duodenal ulcer. There was no morbidity nor mortality attributed to endoscopic electrocoagulation. A retrospective cost analysis showed that the cost of hospitalization was less in patients treated by electrocoagulation. Patients so treated were hospitalized for a shorter duration.