Prostaglandin E, (PGE,) and oxytocin were given simultaneously by intravenous infusion to 28 patients with a missed abortion, 5 patients with a hydatidiform mole and 17 patients at or after 28 weeks gestation with intrauterine death (IUD) of the fetus. There were no failures of induction although a repeat infusion was necessary in 2 patients, and 20 of the 33 induced abortions were incomplete. The average induction to delivery interval for all cases was less than 10 hours. Pyrexia developed in one-third of the patients. There were no other undesirable side effects.