truncated rates for the age groups 044, 45-64 and more than 65 years were also calculated, as well as percent differences between the mortality rates of each period studied. Lung cancer mortality rates for males in Catalonia and Spain show relative increments of 46.58% and 52.4 I YO, respectively. In contrast, lung cancer mortality in countries such as EnglandWales and Switzerland have decreased. Moreover, the 044 year age group in Catalonia and Spain shows the absolute highest rates in the 1987-1989 period among all the countries analyzed. The marked contrast of the lung cancer mortality rate evolution in Catalonia and Spain compared with some other European countries and the considerable increase of the mortality in younger age groups indicate the need to intensify lung cancer control measures.