Data concerning all patients receiving financial aid for 26 types of intractable diseases in 1984, 1988 and 1992 were individually linked. Proportions of patients who discontinued financial aid in 1988 or 1992 among patients who were receiving aid in 1984 (ratio of discontinuance per patients); and ratios of the numbers of patients newly commencing aid in 1988 or 1992 to the numbers of patients who were receiving aid in 1984 (ratio of commencement per patients) were calculated. The results were as follows; 1. Among patients receiving financial aid in 1984, ratios of discontinuance per 100 patients were 28 in 1985-88 and 43 in 1985-92. Ratios of commencement per 100 patients were 96 in 1985-88 and 203 in 1985-92. 2. Ratios of discontinuance and of commencement per 100 patients in 1985-92 among 26 intractable diseases were 27-96 and 31-1,068, respectively. 3. Ratios of discontinuance per patients were higher an age groups 0-19 year and 60 year and over than in other age groups. Ratios of commencement per patients were higher in age groups 20-29 year and 70 year and over than in other age groups. Both ratios were higher among males than among females. 4. Ranges of ratios of discontinuance per patients and of ratios of commencement per patients were smaller among 47 prefectures than among diseases and age groups. The number of patients receiving financial aid in 1984 per population among prefectures was inversely correlated to ratios of commencement per patients, and were not correlated with ratios of discontinuance per patients.