This study documents for the first time the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of lung cancer cases in Qatar from 1998 to 2005. The age-standardized incidence rate was higher than that in many other Gulf countries 8.95 per 100 000 (15.2 per 100 000 for males; 3.95 per 100 000 for females). Mean age at diagnosis was 57.5 years. Most patients were current smokers or ex-smokers at the time of diagnosis (82.5%). Unlike other Gulf countries, adenocarcinoma was the predominant type in both Qatari nationals and expatriates (43.9% of lung cancer types). Many cases were in an advanced stage at diagnosis (64.2% at stage IV). Incomplete information was available on mortality rate due to the migration of expatriates.