During the last five years, 508 patients completed CAPD training. The mean age on entry was 50.4 years. Eighty-nine patients were diabetic. The overall incidence of peritonitis was one episode every 11.1 treatment months. The cumulative patient survival was 65% at four years, and corresponding technique success rate 35%. Cardiovascular causes accounted for 58.7% of deaths and peritonitis was the most common reason for CAPD failure. An analysis of outcomes by year of entry into the program suggests that survival and technique success improved in patients entered during 1981. Similarly there was a significant reduction in the incidence of peritonitis between 1978 and 1982. CAPD continues to be a successful and well-accepted dialysis modality.