The antihypertensive effects on metoprolol and pindolol were compared in 50 patients with essential hypertension belonging to WHO stage 1 or 2. After 4 wk of placebo treatment the patients were randomly allocated to treatment with metoprolol or pindolol. During the initial dose-titration period of 6 wk the dose was individually adjusted, aiming at a diastolic blood pressure in the seated position < 95 mm Hg. The maximum possible dosage for metoprolol was 50, 100 and 150 mg bid [twice a day] and for pindolol 5, 10 and 15 mg bid. Thereafter followed a fixed-dose period of 20 wk. Six patients did not complete the study. At the end of the study satisfactory blood pressure control, defined as a diastolic blood pressure in the seated position < 95 mm Hg, was achieved in 15 of the 20 patients (75%) in the metroprolol group and in 13 out of 24 patients (54%) in the pindolol group. The average reduction in diastolic blood pressure was more pronounced with metoprolol than with pindolol, while no difference was found between the 2 .beta.-blockers with regard to the reduction of the systolic blood pressure. Metoprolol and pindolol were both well tolerated by the patients.