In our study, the characteristics of 114 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) are discussed with emphasis on the subgroup of cases whose onset of disease occurred above the age of 60 years. Seven out of the 9 cases showed symptoms of diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis with an extensive skin involvement, and 5 of these cases died within 2 years following the onset of SSc. Seven of the 9 cases showed a rapid disease course with symptoms of cardiac, pulmonary and/or renal involvement, while no secondary Sjögren's syndrome, subcutaneous calcinosis and myositis were demonstrated among these patients.