Following primary maximal cytoreduction, 71 previously untreated patients with advanced epithelial ovarian carcinoma received at least six courses of combination chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide. The cumulative dose (CD) through three (CD 3) and six (CD 6) courses was calculated for each drug and for all drugs combined. The dose intensity (DI) through three (DI 3) and six (DI 6) courses was calculated for each drug by dividing CD 3 and CD 6 by the interval (in weeks) between surgery and the third and sixth course. The interval from surgery to the third or sixth course had no effect on survival. Similarly, there was no significant difference in survival between patients with high and low CD 3 or CD 6 for any drug or for all drugs combined. Patients with high DI 6 for cisplatin, doxorubicin, and all drugs combined survived significantly longer than those with low DI 6. The survival difference for patients with high and low DI 6 for cyclophosphamide approached, but did not attain, statistical significance at the 0.05 level. The intensity with which combination chemotherapy is administered may have an impact upon survival in patients with ovarian carcinoma.