A clinical evaluation was performed on 402 cases of chest trauma those were admitted and treated at the department of chest surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital, during the past 13 years and 7 months from Jan. 1968 to July 1980. 1. The ratio of male to female was 5.5:1 in 1968 and 3.4:1 in 1980 with progressive increase of female patient and age from 20 to 59 years is 81.0%. 2. The most common cause of chest trauma was stab wound in penetrating trauma and traffic accidents in nonpenetrating trauma. 3. The most common injury from chest trauma was hemothorax in penetrating trauma and rib fracture in nonpenetrating trauma. 4. Hemothorax was observed in 76 cases [18.9%] of total cases and rib fracture was observed in 163 cases [40.5%] of total cases. 5. Rib fracture was prevalent from 4th to 8th rib, and 1st and 2nd rib fractures were associated with major thoracic injuries and with other organ injuries. 6. Open thoracotomy was performed in 72 cases [17.9%] and others were treated with conservative nonoperative treatment. 7. Overall mortality was 4.5% [19 cases], and common causes of the death were shock and respiratory insufficiency. [KTCS 1981;4:311-318]