Status epilepticus (SE) is a major neurological and medical emergency associated with a high morbidity and mortality. Retrospective and prospective studies from the Medical College of Virginia Epilepsy Research Center have been utilized to investigate several clinical and epidemiological factors associated with SE. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis of predictive indicators in patients with SE indicated that seizure duration, certain specific etiologies, and age were predictors of mortality. Sex, race, and certain other etiologies were not found to be factors that significantly affect mortality. These findings demonstrate that specific indicators are important in predicting mortality in SE. Preliminary prospective epidemiological data from Richmond, Virginia suggested that more than 250,000 cases of SE may occur annually in the United States with a mortality greater than 55,000 individuals. Studies comparing community and university hospitals in Richmond indicate that the mortality and clinical variables associated with SE in these two hospital populations are essentially identical. Further investigations employing prospective population-based studies are essential in evaluating the epidemiology and mortality of SE.