The effectiveness of a day clinic in the treatment of alcoholism was examined by random assignment of 100 selected alcoholics to day clinic or inpatient facilities offering similar treatment programs. A 1-yr follow-up indicated that 58% of the sample had stopped drinking, 28% had reduced their drinking, 11% had relapsed and 3% were not located. Significant reductions were found in the reported number of visits to a physician, number of hospitalizations, number of legal charges, unemployment rate, time off work, drinking on a job, degree of emotional upset and suicidal behavior. Improvements in marital communication and in assertiveness skills were also found. Day-clinic patients improved as well as inpatients on these outcome measures. The day-clinic treatment was as effective as the inpatient program.