Metastatic brain tumor patients (193 cases: Small cell carcinoma; 44, large cell carcinoma; 19 adenocarcinoma; 110, squamous cell carcinoma; 14 and mixed carcinoma; 6) from lung cancer in 1978-1986 were studied to determine what treatments would be best for the local control of cancer. Treatment with radiation alone (29 cases received more than 30 Gy to the brain lesion) revealed CR(complete response) of 37.9% and PR(partial response) of 37.9%. On the other hand, radiation after operation with or without chemotherapy (33 cases) showed CR of 87.9%. Modes of response after radiation in relation to tumor size indicated CR of 34.8% and PR of 34.8% for the tumors (total of 23 cases), 2 cm or less in diameter and CR of 20% and PR of 25% for the tumors (total of 25 cases), more than 2 cm in diameter. Median period to tumor recurrence for the cases attained CR showed 10.5 (range 7-34) months and 4.0 (range 1-7) months, respectively. These data suggest that radiation after surgery could attain the highest percentage of CR and will promise the further improvement of survival time for the patients with metastatic brain tumors.