Patient and primary graft survival for 2,090 patients who received primary liver transplants at the University of Pittsburgh from 1984 through 1990 are presented. Observed (actual) 3- and 12-month patient and primary graft survival rates were compared for 3 periods: 1) January 1984 to September 1987 (cyclosporine, OKT3, and Euro-Collins preservation period); 2) October 1987 to December 1988 (University of Wisconsin solution preservation period); and 3) January 1989 to December 1990 (FK506 period). Data for results according to age group, medical urgency, and primary diagnosis are provided. In addition, estimated survivor and cumulative hazard functions (life-table method) for patient and primary graft survival out to 60 months after transplantation are presented. Overall results have improved significantly in recent experience. Most notable are the improved results seen in liver transplantation for patients with biliary atresia (especially in infants), primary sclerosing cholangitis, fulminant hepatic failure, and chronic active hepatitis B. For all but a few conditions, most of the mortality after liver transplantation occurred in the first 3 months after surgery. Less than 2% of patients were lost in each 6-month interval beyond the first 6 months after transplantation. Outcome was related to patient condition at the time of surgery. Observed survival rates at 3 and 12 months for patients called in the hospital to receive a transplant were 88.6% and 86.5%, respectively, compared with 81.9% and 73.7% for patients in critical condition. The continuing shortage of organs for transplantation, which often forces patients to wait longer for an organ than they can afford to, continues to impose a significant penalty.