To evaluate the efficacy of ceftazidime monotherapy in the empirical treatment of febrile neutropenic patients, a randomized trial was performed of ceftazidime (C) vs. ceftazidime and gentamicin (C + G) with the addition of teicoplanin (T) for those patients with a long intravenous line-associated infection. Success without modification at the end of treatment was seen in 32.7% (C), 28.3% (C + G), 52.4% (C + T) and 65.2% (C + G + T). Monotherapy with ceftazidime is as effective as when used in combination with an aminoglycoside in neutropenia.