An increase in the number of outbreaks of tuberculosis (TB) has been reported during recent years in many parts of the world, including the countries of Eastern Europe and the former USSR. This study was performed with the aim of assessing the current epidemiological situation with respect to TB in Latvia, one of the three Baltic States, in comparison to the previous decades (since 1950), and to evaluate trends in the incidence of TB during recent years. Data on the incidence of TB were obtained from the Tuberculosis Registers and the Information Department of the State TB and Lung Diseases Centre of Latvia. The results of this study show that, in Latvia, a deterioration in the epidemiological situation with respect to TB occurred from 1990 onwards. The incidence of TB and TB mortality rates virtually doubled from 1991 to 1995: from 28.7 to 50.4 and from 6.4 to 14.1 per 100,000 population, respectively. The majority of new TB cases occurred in persons from the economically productive age group, i.e. 25-54 yrs. In 1995, 61% of pulmonary TB patients were found to be sputum and/or culture positive, the rate of primary drug resistance was 19%, and of total drug resistance was 38%. In order to prevent a further deterioration in the epidemiology of TB in Latvia, it is vital to revise the National TB Control Programme according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD).