From October 1980 to September 1985, 152 patients with Hodgkin's disease (HD) in clinical stages (CS) I, II A-B and IIIA were treated with combined modality therapy (CMT): brief chemotherapy (CT) followed by radiotherapy (RT). CS IA and IIA cases received 3 cycles of MOP, while CS IB, IIB and IIIA cases were randomly assigned to receive MOP or MOP alternating with ABVD (4 cycles). Irradiation was delivered according to the areas initially involved and response to CT. CS I and II subjects in complete remission (CR) received localized fields, whereas CS I, II and IIIA subjects in partial remission (PR) received extended fields, with subtotal nodal RT for CS I and II and CS IIIA without pelvic involvement and total nodal RT for CS I and II below diaphragm and CS IIIA with pelvic involvement. Following CT, CR was 60% (IA-IIA: 71.5%, IB-IIB: 37%, IIIA: 55.5%), PR 35.5% and failure 4.5%. After CT and RT, CR was 98% (IA-IIA: 100%, IB-IIB: 95.5%, IIIA: 94.5%). Responses were similar using MOP and MOP/ABVD regimens. Fifteen patients relapsed (10%) and 15 died, 11 due to HD and 4 due to other causes, while after 7 years overall survival and relapse free survival were respectively 87% and 82% (IA-IIA 90% and 85%, IB-IIB: 80% and 80%, IIIA: 87% and 62%). Results were equivalent irrespective of CT regimen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)