Forty-six patients in premature labor were initially successfully treated with ethanol infusion. Twenty-three of these patients were then given prolonged oral terbutaline sulfate therapy until 38 weeks' gestation, and the remaining 23 patients were given placebo. The treated group gained significantly more time in gestation than the placebo group (P<.05), although the placebo group started with a higher Bishop score. In addition, idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome was seen significantly less often in the treated group. There was no perinatal mortality in either group.