137 patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) were retrospectively analysed. The median survival for all patients were 284 days, for limited disease patients 399 days, and for extensive disease patients 252 days. Univariate statistical analysis based on Kaplan-Meier-estimates and Log-Rank-Test showed the following prognostically beneficial factors: Limited disease stage (p = 0.009), NSE serum level less than 25 micrograms/l (p = 0.016), serum alkaline phosphatase less than 200 U/l (p = 0.035), normal serum albumin (p = 0.003) and activity index of minimum of 70 (p < 0.001). The patient age and sex did not image as relevant prognostical factors.