A surveillance system was organized to monitor the impact of the liberalized Maryland Abortion Law of July 1968. During the first year, 2134 hospital abortions were reported; 5530 were reported in the second year and 3210 during the first 6 months of the third year. The predominant indication for abortion has been mental health (91 to 96%), and the most frequently used method is now suction curettage. Women obtaining abortions are almost entirely Maryland residents (97%), young (median age 22), of low parity (50% with no living children) and most often unmarried (68%). Complication rates have been highest for procedures performed late in gestation, and 3 deaths have been associated with procedures after 16 weeks' gestation.