The ability of Escherichia coli O157:H7 to survive and grow on cubes of cantaloupe and watermelon and on the external rind surface of these fruits was investigated. Populations of the pathogen increased on cubes stored at 25 degrees C but remained constant at 5 degrees C over a 34-h storage period. Growth was observed on the rind of melons stored under high relative humidity at 25 degrees C for 14 to 22 days. The pathogen rapidly died on the rind surface of melons stored at 5 degrees C.