OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the medical, non-medical and indirect resources used in a group of patients with anemia induced by chemotherapy requiring blood transfusions and their associated costs. METHODS: An epidemiological, prospective study was conducted in 19 Spanish hospital sites during 2007-2008. 108 patients with anemia induced by chemotherapy were included and finally 32 patients who required blood transfusions were analyzed. The consumption of resources was obtained through two medical visits: basal and 5 months later. The resources and costs estimated were: (i) direct medical: related to blood transfusions; (ii) Indirect: workplace absence for patients and carers; (iii) direct non-medical: transportation to the hospital. The time horizon used was 5 months. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was: 62.1±8.6 years old; 90.6% were men. Mean basal Hb level was 9.33±0.96 g/dl. and years from disease diagnostic: 0.50±0.96. (i) Direct medical costs: each patient received 3.7±2.6 units of red cell concentrates, the estimated cost was 306.40€. Mean length of stay due to transfusions was 318.6±280.2 minutes, the mean cost per patient was €699.22; (ii) Indirect costs: all patients visited the hospital with a carer; 16.1% of patients and 24.1% of carers had an employment, the estimated cost per patient and carer was €33.82; (iii) Direct non-medical costs: the means of transport used were car (60.7%), taxi (21.4%) and bus/metro (17.9%); being mean cost per patient/carer €3.13. The total cost along 5 months, from the social perspective, related to blood transfusions in a patient with anemia induced by chemotherapy was €1,042.57/transfusion. CONCLUSIONS: According to the study, blood transfusions in patients with anemia induced by chemotherapy involve substantial costs due to consumption of medical and non-medical resources.