We show here that the state of the p34(cdc2)-p56(cdc13) mitotic B cyclin complex determines whether a fission yeast cell undergoes S phase or mitosis. Mutants defective for p56(cdc13) reset to G1 and rereplicate their DNA, while cells completely lacking the p34(cdc2)-p56(cdc13) complex undergo multiple rounds of S phase. In contrast, formation of the p34(cdc2)-p56(cdc13) complex in G1 promotes cells inappropriately into mitosis. We propose that the temporal order of S phase and mitosis is maintained by the presence or absence of the p34(cdc2)-p56(cdc13) complex.