The anxiolytic activity, the tolerance, and the withdrawal symptoms of buspirone and oxazepam were compared in two groups of 14 and 12 outpatients, respectively, suffering from generalized anxiety in a double-blind study with random allocation of patients. The 6-week active period was preceded and followed by 1 and 2 weeks on placebo, respectively. Clinical assessments were performed before and after the predrug placebo period and every 2 weeks thereafter and included Hamilton anxiety and depression scales and AMDP anxiety subscale. The initial daily dose was 15 mg buspirone or 45 mg oxazepam in 3 intakes and the mean final daily doses were 22.2 and 55.8 mg, respectively. Results showed a slower anxiolytic activity of buspirone compared to oxazepam with less improvement after 2 weeks of treatment. The rebound anxiety following abrupt discontinuation of the drug and the level of side effects did not significantly differ between the two compounds.