As a result of a report suggesting an unacceptably high incidence (2%) of awareness during endotracheal intubation, two groups of patients were anaesthetized in a standard manner using a rapid induction technique. In one group of 38 patients anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone 3 mg/kg and in the other group of 39 patients anaesthesia was induced with ketamine 2 mg/kg. Suxamethonium 1 mg/kg was given immediately following the induction agent, to facilitate endotracheal intubation. The patients were interviewed after operation. A rapid induction technique did not result in unacceptable awareness with either induction agent.