BACKGROUND There are limited data on the outcome of diabetic lung recipients, especially in those with new-onset diabetes after transplantation (NODAT). METHODS We studied prevalence of pre-transplant diabetes mellitus (PDM) and cumulative incidence of NODAT in lung recipients using the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network /United Network for Organ Sharing database. Between 2004 and 2011, adult (≥18 years old) recipients transplanted with either first single- or double-lung were included. Those who lacked a diabetes record or received multi-organ transplants were excluded. Patient survival were studied in recipients who had functioning grafts for at least one year. RESULTS There were 10,226 recipients who had at least one diabetes record, the prevalence of PDM was 18.25% and the cumulative incidence of NODAT during the five years post-transplant was 39.43%. Of 9,117 recipients who had functioning grafts for at least one year, adjusted hazard ratios (HR) of PDM and NODAT, compared to the diabetes-free group, were 1.12 (p=0.048) and 1.12 (p=0.025), respectively. Independent risk factors for mortality included the presence of rejection in the one year, cytomegalovirus serology donor positive/recipient negative, and recipient age >60 years. Among recipients with cystic fibrosis, there was no statistical difference in mortality between diabetic recipients and the diabetes-free group. Compared to the diabetes-free group, the adjusted HRs for mortality of PDM and NODAT in recipients without cystic fibrosis were 1.15 (p=0.031) and 1.14 (p=0.011), respectively. CONCLUSIONS Diabetes was associated with mortality in lung transplant recipients overall and in lung recipients without cystic fibrosis. However, there was no association between diabetes and mortality in lung recipients with cystic fibrosis.