Data were collected retrospectively on 69 cases of infection in 57 patients who had received teicoplanin on a non-inpatient basis for at least part of a course of therapy. A total of 52 records related to patients who were undergoing treatment for a hematological malignancy, most of whom had central venous catheter infection or catheter-related septicemia. Eleven cases were related to the treatment of bone and/or joint infection, two were concerned with the treatment of endocarditis and two were linked to soft tissue infections. In most cases in which bacteriological identification was made, coagulase-negative staphylococci were the causative organisms. Other pathogens included Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci, enterococci and diphtheroids. In most cases, the dose of teicoplanin used corresponded to the recommended dose for serious infections. All patients received teicoplanin intravenously and some patients administered the drug themselves. Clinical success (cure plus improvement) was achieved in 94% of evaluable cases and bacteriological success in 83%. Two adverse events were reported, but neither related to problems of antibiotic administration in a non-inpatient setting.