The renal handling of salicylic acid (SA) and its effects on renal function were studied in the isolated perfused rat kidney (IPK). The renal handling of SA is dominated by reabsorption and only a small fraction of the filtered SA is excreted into the urine. Reabsorption is a passive process and is dependent on urinary pH. Because of the extensive reabsorption, no decrease in perfusate concentration can be observed in the course of the IPK experiment. SA accumulated slightly in the IPK and this accumulation is concentration dependent. Small amounts of SA were converted to salicyluric acid (SU), the glycine conjugate of SA. SA concentrations higher than 100 micrograms/ml caused an immediate increase in urinary flow and in fractional excretion of sodium, potassium, chloride and calcium. Fractional excretion of glucose increased gradually. Glomerular filtration rate, renal perfusion flow, renal pressure and fractional excretion of magnesium were not affected by SA. The effects were dependent on the SA concentration. Although SA is a classical non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID), its influence on renal function appears to be different from other NSAIDs which are usually associated with a reduction in urinary flow and salt excretion.