Five of six patients with chronic renal failure and ascites have been maintained with, or are presently undergoing, intermittent hemodialysis. Other causes for ascites were ruled out in each case by peritoneoscopy, peritoneal fluid studies, and clinical data. The protein content and lactic acid dehydrogenase level of the ascitic fluid in all patients with high, unlike the situation in patients with ascites of uncomplicated cirrhosis.