PURPOSE : Fracture of proximal humerus is adjacent to shoulder joint which has an almost global range of motion, thus respond satisfactorily to conservative treatment, but displaced fracture needs accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. We analyzed the type of treatments and results of proximal humeral fractures MATERIALS AND METHODS : Fifty nine cases of fractures of the proximal humerus which were treated from January 1992 to February 1998 were analyzed according to Neer's classification. RESULTS : Among the 59 cases, 26 cases were treated conservatively, 19 cases(73.1%) had excellent or satisfactory results and 33 cases were treated operatively, 23 cases(69.7%) had excellent or satisfactory results. All one-part fractures(6 cases) were treated conservatively and had excellent or satisfactory results. but in three-part fracture(17 cases), 3 cases(42.8%) who were treated conservatively and 7 cases(70.0%) who were treated operatively had excellent or satisfactory results and no significant difference was shown according to method of operation All four-part fractures(3 cases) were treated operatively, and only 1 cases(33.3%) had satisfactory results. CONCLUSION : We can treat conservatively or operatively in one-part or two-part fractures but consider the percutaneous pin fixation or minimal soft tissue dissection in three-part fractures.