Pasteurella multocida appears to be an uncommon pathogen in human thoracic empyema. The morbidity and mortality associated with these infections has been significant, presumably secondary to the elderly populations they affect, many with chronic lung disease and impaired pulmonary defenses. We report a case of pasteurella empyema treated with open thoracostomy and rib resection and advocate use of such a procedure early in the treatment of patients with this infection.