We review the observations relating solar energetic particle (SEP) events to coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Nearly every gradual SEP event is associated with a fast (v≳400 km/s) CME, which is presumed to drive a coronal shock that accelerates the SEPs. Evidence supporting the contention that all SEP ions observed in large, gradual events are shock accelerated is reviewed. Evidence for shock acceleration of electrons is found to be more ambiguous. The following current questions in SEP/CME relationships are discussed: 1. SEP production by electric fields in post‐flare loops; 2. the relationship of type II burst shocks and CME‐driven shocks; 3. flare impulsive phase contributions to SEP events; and 4. the evidence for shock‐accelerated (SA) events; and 5. progressively hardening X‐ray spectra and SEP events. ©1996 American Institute of Physics.