Background: It has been reported that steroid and lidocaine reduce inflammatory responses to endotoxin. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of lidocaine with those of steroid on inflammatory responses to Escherichia coli endotoxemia in the rabbit lung. Methods: Twenty four animals were randomly assigned to one of four groups. Group I (endotoxemic group; control, n=6): They were received E. coli endotoxin (500 microg/kg) intravenously through the ear vein and followed by saline infusion at 20 ml/kg/hr for 4 hours. Group II (steroid treated group, n=6): They were treated with steroid (30 mg/kg) intravenously just after endotoxin injection and then saline was given at 20 ml/kg/hr for 4 hours. Group III (lidocaine treated group, n=6): They were received same as the endotoxemic group and lidocaine (3 mg/kg IV bolus, then continuous infusion at the rate of 2 mg/kg/hr) was administered with saline at 20 ml/kg/hr for 4 hours. Group IV (steroid