The prostate cancer detection rate from screening by digital rectal examination and tactilely guided prostate biopsy is approximately 1.7%. Among 1,807 men a detection rate of 14.6% was achieved in a clinical urological practice by physician-conducted prostate ultrasonography, digital rectal examination and determination of serum prostate specific antigen. Results are presented in 5-year increments as well as for the group as a whole. The possible benefit to be derived from an improved detection rate is undetermined. Recommendations are made regarding the clinical use of these diagnostic modalities.