The prevalence of deep vein thrombosis in female patients with antithrombin III (AT III), protein C, or protein S deficiency who are on oral contraception has been compared with that of patients with activated protein C (APC) resistance. In the latter case the prevalence was lower (36.4%) than in the AT III deficiency group (71.4%) but similar to that seen in the protein C and protein S group (25%).' Furthermore, venous thrombosis occurred with APC resistance much later than with AT III, protein C, or protein S defects. The time lag between onset of oral contraception and thrombosis (~16 cycles) was not statistically different from that seen in a group of women who were known to have no antithrombin III, protein C, or protein S defects. It appears that as far as the interaction with oral contraception is concerned APC resistance is a much less severe condition compared with other clotting inhibitor defects. Key Words: Oral contraceptive—Activated protein C resistance—Deep vein thrombosis.