OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to identify the oncologic patients' (non hodgkin lymphoma, breast and colorectal cancer) satisfaction grade with the medical care in a tertiary referral center at the Social Security Mexican Institute (IMSS). METHODS A cross-sectional and descriptive study was performed within a tertiary referral center in Guadalajara City, Mexico. Were included oncologic patients with non hodgkin lymphoma, breast and colorectal cancer attended as outpatients since July to August 2008. Was performed an interview with EORTC IN-PATSAT32 in Spanish version, this instrument contents 32 items with Likert-like scale answers (1-5) to evaluate follow assumptions: medical care, nurse care, other personal care, waiting time, access facilities to hospital, information exchange, cleaning, comfort and general satisfaction (scale 1 to 100). Internal consistency was evaluated through Cronbach's alpha test. This questionnaire was previously validated to Mexico. ANOVA was used to identify differences between clinical stages and each disease. Statistical analysis was realized in SPSS 13.0. RESULTS This study included 157 patients with breast cancer, 30 colorectal cancers and 14 non hodgkin lymphoma. Mean of satisfaction inter-item was 75±18 (20-100), in patients with breast cancer, satisfaction level was 75±18, non-hodgkin lymphoma 85 ± 13 and colorectal cancer 75±19, without statistical difference between diseases (p=0.14). The items with lowest score were cleaning (52±34), and other personal care (68±27). The highest score were nurse care (86±21), specifically non hodgkin lymphoma group (94±14). CONCLUSIONS The oncologic patients' (non hodgkin lymphoma, breast and colorectal cancer) group was satisfied with the medical care, particularly with the nurses group.