This study was performed to evaluate the induction time, hemodynamic responses and local venous complications after intravenous induction with midazolam, comparing with those after intravenous induction with thiopental. Sixty adult surgical patients received either 5 mg/kg thiopental sodium(group I) or 0.2 mg/kg midazolam hydrochloride(group II) as an induction agent. The results were as follows. 1) The induction time(loss of palpebral reflex) of the group II(68.2±21.5 sec) was significantly longer than those of group I(29.6±8.3 sec) 2) The magnitude of rises in the systolic blood pressure, 1 and 2 minute after intravenous administration of induction agent, of group II were significantly smaller than those of group I. 3) The magnitude of rises in the diastolic blood pressure, 2 minute after intravenous administration of induction agent,of group II were significantly smaller than those of group L 4) The magnitude of rises in the pulse rate, 1 and 2 minute after intravenous administration of induction agent, of group II was not significantly differ from those of group I. 5) In three patients of the group I complained of pain during injection, but no patients of the group II complained of pain. There was no significant difference in the incidence of the postoperative local venous complication.