A retrospective multicenter study was performed to determine the frequency and the antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli from clinical specimen isolated in 15 hospitals of South-West of France between July and December 1993. Blood and urine cultures were positive for E. coli respectively in 369/1.606 (23 %) and in 3.090/6.504 (47,5 %) patients. The most active antibiotics were third generation cephalosporins, imipenem, aminoglycosids and fluoroquinolone. None of the isolates were shown to posses BLSE (extended spectrum beta lactamase).