Data from more than 400 cases of acute barbiturate intoxication were examined for evidence of the possible effectiveness of analeptic drugs (such as caffeine, amphetamine, or picrotoxin) in treating this condition. The final comparison was limited to patients admitted in a conditon of coma with laboratory evidence of barbiturates in urine, blood serum, or gastric washings. Of the 141 patients who satisfied these criteria, 77 received analeptics and 64 were treated supportively without analeptics. There were four deaths in the former group and two in the latter. There was no significant difference between the two groups as to the duration of coma or the number of ensuing complications.