We performed computed body tomography and ultrasound-guided percutaneous catheter drainage in 45 cases of abdominal abscess. Evacuation of the cavity was achieved in 40 cases (89%), eliminating the need for surgery in 34 patients. There were six recurrent abscesses, all due to fistulous communications or recurrent infected tumor. Major complications were a lacerated mesenteric vessel and a small-bowel fistula. Drainage catheters were removed an average of seven days after insertion. In many cases, guided percutaneous radiological drainage is an effective alternative to operative therapy, especially in severely ill patients.