Previous studies of Mycobacterium fortuitum identified isolates that did not fit its two recognized biovariants. Eighty-five clinical isolates of this group, the “third biovariant complex:” were evaluated. They represented 16% of 410 isolates of M. fortuitum submitted to a Texas laboratory and 22% of 45 isolates in Queensland, Australia. Most infections (76%) involved skin, soft tissue, or bone and occurred after metal puncture woundsor open fractures. Isolates differed from biovar fortuitum in resistance to pipemidic acid and use of mannitol and inositolas carbon sources. Two subgroups werep resent, and examples were deposited in the American Type Culture Collection. Isolates were resistant to doxycycline and one-third were resistant to cefoxitin. All were susceptible to amikacin, ciproftoxacin, sulfamethoxazole, and imipenem. Surgical debridement combined with drug therapy basedon in vitro susceptibilities resulted in curesof cutaneous disease or osteomyelitis. DNA homology studies are needed to determine the taxonomic status of these organisms.