OBJECTIVES: This study investigated clinical outcomes, direct medical costs and factors associated with mortality in the patients with cSSSI in Korea. METHODS: A retrospective, multi-centered observational study was conducted in Korea during April-July in 2012. The eligible patients were adults (aged≥18) with community acquired cSSSI, who were admitted to hospitals and underwent surgical intervention; tested with culture within 48 hours of admission; completed cSSSI treatment between Nov 2009 and Oct 2011. Data on demography, clinical characteristics, clinical outcomes, and medical resource utilizations during the entire cSSSI treatment period were collected through chart review. Direct medical costs were calculated by multiplying quantities of resources utilized by the each resource’s unit price in Korea. RESULTS: CONCLUSIONS: Significant clinical burden of community-onset cSSSI produced heavy economic burden to patients in Korea. It is certainly important to put efforts to reduce patients’ burden of disease through appropriate initial treatment.