The efficacies of several dosage schedules of cefazolin, cefotaxime, and ceftazidime, started 12 or 36 h after infection, were examined in experimental pneumonia caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae in rats. The therapeutic activities of the cephalosporins were compared with the antibacterial activities in vitro and the serum concentration curves. The course of experimental pneumonia was rapid and characterized by tissue necrosis. Response to antimicrobial treatment was evaluated with respect to mortality and numbers of bacteria in lung (left lobe), blood, and pleural fluid. When antibiotic treatment was started early, i.e., 12 h after bacterial inoculation, cefotaxime and ceftazidime were equally effective and superior to cefazolin. Eleven doses of 10 mg of cefotaxime or ceftazidime per kg or 11 doses of 60 mg of cefazolin per kg were required to improve the survival rate. With a delay in administration to 36 h after inoculation, the efficacy of the cephalosporins decreased markedly. In the three dosages tested, cefazolin was ineffective. Survival improved with the administration of nine doses of 60 mg of cefotaxime per kg or nine doses of 10 mg of ceftazidime per kg. These results are not in accordance with the ratio of in vitro activities of cefotaxime and ceftazidime or the serum concentration curves.