We retrospectively analyzed the records of 63 consecutive patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) who had been treated in our neurological intensive care unit from 1981 to 1985 (aged 17 to 84 years). In this sample, the prognostic value of initial clinical and laboratory findings was studied. The following factors were significantly correlated with mortality: concomitant cardiac failure, general atherosclerosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; coma or deranged brainstem reflexes on admission; concomitant intraventricular or subarachnoid hemorrhage, hydrocephalus and midline shift on CT scan. ICH location did not significantly correlate with outcome. Among lobar ICH occipital hematomas carried the best prognosis. No prognostic importance was detected for age and gender, initial blood pressure, time interval between ICH and admission, ECG or angiographic findings, or laboratory values.