Patients with malignant melanoma (320) were treated in Otago and Southland from 1968 to 1977. Retrospective examination of available information showed a greater frequency in women than in men. The overall incidence in the area increased from 6.2/100,000 at the beginning of the study to 12.8/100,000 in 1977. The 5 yr survival rate was 76% overall and 83% for superficial invasion (levels I-III). The only factor significantly affecting prognosis was old age, which diminished the 5 yr survival rate.