Background/Aims: Colorectal signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC) is uncommon. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical characteristics of primary and metastatic colorectal SRCC. Methods: We retrospectively examined the records of patients who had undergone surgery for colon cancer and was diagnosed pathologically as having colorectal SRCC from 1988 to 2000. Results: Among 1812 patients with colorectal cancer examined, the number of patients with SRCC was 28 (1.5%). Eight of them (28.6%) were metastatic and 20 patients (71.4%) were primary. The male-to- female ratio was 19:9 and the mean age was 44.2 years. The topographic incidence of primary SRCC were 9 patients in rectum, 5 patients in sigmoid colon, and 6 patients in ascending colon. Positive rate at first biopsy was 72.2% (13/18) in primary SRCC. Five cases (55.6%) of rectal SRCC showed linitis plastica type. The stage of primary SRCC showed a preponderance of Astler-Coller C2 lesions: 3 (15%) were in B2 stage, 1 (5%) was in C1 stage, 14 (70%) were in C2 stage, 2 (10%) were in D stage. One- and two-year survival of primary SRCC was 62.7% and 45.7%, respectively. Conclusions: Colorectal SRCC is rare and constitutes 5% of colon cancer. However, the case in which SRCC is especially primary or occurs in rectosigmoid area is conmon in young age group. The primary SRCC were mostly found in advanced stage, and the prognosis might be poor.