SUMMARYEight patients with active uncomplicated Crohn's disease, who were resistant to or intolerant of conventional treatment, were treated for 6 weeks with oral cyclosporin (mean dose 8.2 mg kg−1 day−1). Seven of the eight patients responded to treatment with cyclosporin by symptomatic improvement, weight gain and a return of serum C‐reactive protein concentration towards normal. All patients relapsed on stopping cyclosporin. No serious side‐effects were encountered. This favourable early experience justifies further trials using cyclosporin for active Crohn's disease.