Abstract. A 53‐year male patient, treated for rheumatoid arthritis with sulphasalazine, developed a total agranulocytosis. When this state had prevailed for at least 10 d no bone marrow granulocyte progenitor cells were detectable. Intravenous GM‐CSF treatment was initiated 5 d later, and the patient recovered within the next 6 d. GM‐CSF treatment for severe agranulocytosis deserves further investigation. 1990 Blackwell Publishing Ltd