Fifty consecutive female patients with genuine urinary stress incontinence were randomized either to surgery or to a pelvic floor training program. The operative procedure was chosen according to the type of bladder suspension defect on micturition cystourethrography. The training program was given 5 times in weekly lessons and the patients were guided by trained physiotherapists. Surgery was superior to the pelvic floor training program both subjectively and objectively. However, a significant improvement was found following the training program. Forty-two percent were satisfied with the outcome of the training and did not want operation. We find physiotherapist-guided pelvic floor exercise a realistic alternative to surgery in patients with mild degrees of stress incontinence. Also patients with residual symptoms after surgery are candidates for pelvic floor training.