The course of psychosocial adjustment to cancer was examined in 105 adults with cancer of the lung, breast and skin. Half of the patients received a program of systematic psychosocial rehabilitation plus evaluation, and the other half received only an evaluation, consisting of a series of psychometric instruments and a problem-oriented structured clinical interview. Patients in the intervention group received a comprehensive program of psychosocial services based on individual need. One rehabilitation worker was assigned to each patient, and this worker followed a patient from day of hospital admission through six months after hospital discharge. Results indicate that: (1) different cancer patients experience "peak vulnerability" at different points during the course of their disease; (2) initial psychometric scores can predict the total number of psychosocial problems reported at the end of six months; (3) intervention and control groups differed in that intervention patients were less likely to exhibit "denial" concerning their illness; and (4) intervention patients engaged in more social and recreational activities at the end of the six-month program. (Author)