The main objectives of this study were to survey the rates, severity, and variables influencing depression and their correlation between pain and depression in Korean elderly cancer patients, so to provide a basic data for the effective depression nursing management program. The results of survey were collected from 70 subjects who were treated for cancer as inpatients and outpatients the one of University Hospital in Seoul from February to June of 1999. Factors of depression and the level of pain were examined by self-reported survey employing Korean version of Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and an abridged version of pain evaluation tool, respectively. The difference in the level of depression among patient groups was analyzed with the t-test and ANOVA, and the correlation between variables with Pearson correlation coefficient. The results were as follows : 1. The mean scores of the worst pain for last 24-hours were 6.09, the average pain for last 24-hours 4.46, and the mean scores of pain at the time of survey 3.70, while the mean scores of the least pain for last 24-hours 2.56. 2. The mean BDI scores were 23.89, and 54.3% of patients were evaluated to be in depression (cutting point 21). Scores of depression for cancer patients were higher than normal elderly population. 3. The correlation between depression and worst pain for last 24-hours and depression, average pain for last 24-hours, present pain were significant. 4. There was significant difference in the depression with respect to gender, level of education, ECOG. More than % of elderly cancer patients with pain are suffering from depression. We have shown that the variables like the degree of pain, gender, level of education, ECOG are significantly related to the depression in cancer patients. There should be further studies to develope nursing intervention program to manage depression and pain so as to enhance self care behavior and quality of life in elderly cancer patients.