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The platelet level has been studied in 115 hospitalized patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis; an elevated platelet count was found in one-third of them. As a general rule, a relationship was apparent between thrombocytosis and the activity of the disease. A positive correlation was found between elevated platelet count and anaemia, sideropenia, leucocytosis and the rheumatoid factor. Thrombocytosis was also found in one-half of the patients with secondary amyloidosis. The passible cause of the thrombocytosis is discussed, and it is pointed out that the counting of platelets provides a useful additional method for follow-up examinations in rheumatoid arthritis.