A prospectively recorded, consecutive series of 155 colorectal carcinoma specimens clinically and pathologically staged according to the Australian Clinico-pathological System (ACPS) between April 1987 and May 1989 at Wellington and Kenepuru Hospitals is reviewed. Clinical records were available for retrospective review for 146 of the 155 patients. Change in bowel habit, rectal bleeding and abdominal pain were the most common presenting symptoms. Thirty-five patients presented as emergencies, twenty-six with obstruction and nine with perforation. Abdominal pain resulted in the earliest surgical intervention. The median duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis was 3 months. No correlation existed between tumour stage and duration of symptoms. Earlier diagnosis during the symptomatic phase of colorectal carcinoma is unlikely to contribute significantly to improved overall survival.