Objective: To determine the efficacy of lobectomy and wedge resection in the management of early stage (T 1N 0M 0) non small cell lung cancer. Methods: We analyzed the results of 109 patients with pathologic stage (T 1N 0M 0) non small cell lung cancer who underwent open wedge resection (n=21), video assisted wedge resection (n=30), and lobectomy (n=58) to assess perioperative morbidity and mortality, recurrence rates, survival difference and late pulmonary function among the three groups. Results: There were no differences among the three groups in regard to histologic tumor type, perioperative morbidity and mortality, late pulmonary function. Analysis demonstrated the wedge resection groups to be significantly older and to have reduced pulmonary function despite a higher incidence of treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease when compared with patients having lobectomy. Statistically, the mean hospital stay was significantly less and locoregional recurrences rate higher in the wedge resection groups. Kaplan Meier survival curves were nearly identical at 1 year (open wedge resection, 94%; video assisted wedge resection, 95%; lobectomy, 91%). 5 year survival was 58%, 65% and 70% respectively. Log rank testing demonstrated significant differences between the survival curves during the 5 year period of study (P=0.02). Conclusion: Wedge resection, done by thoracotomy or video assisted techniques, appears to be a viable surgical treatment of stageⅠ(T 1N 0M 0) non small cell lung cancer for patients with cardiopulmonary physiologic impairment. Because of the increased risk for local recurrence, anatomic lobectomy remains the surgical treatment of choice for patients with stage I non small cell lung cancer who have adequate physiologic reserve.