Costs of colposcopic evaluation of patients with abnormal Papanicolaou smears versus evaluation by conization are compared. The average colposcopic evaluation costs $106, and the average conization costs $923.70. Additional savings ensue if a colposcopic diagnosis, rather than conization of the cervix, precedes a definitive hysterectomy. All criteria for an adequate colposcopic examination and tissue diagnosis must be met to make this comparison.