The availability of effective antimicrobial agents has greatly decreased the need for surgical intervention in patients who have a pyogenic lung abscess. Patients (3) with lung abscesses caused by gram-negative bacteria who failed to respond to medical treatment and who were believed to be unable to withstand lobectomy are described. Percutaneous insertion of a drainage tube directly into the abscess brought about a dramatic clinical response, with prompt closure of the cavity. This procedure provides an alternative to thoracotomy and lobectomy in treating lung abscesses that fail to respond to medical therapy.