Assessed the impact of the Persian Gulf War on 162 Israeli employees (aged 21-65 yrs) who continued to work during the war. The impact of the intense life situation on these workers was compared with wartime burnout and related measures with prewar data gathered in health surveys conducted in several industrial plants. Results show increased burnout and physical and emotional distress compared with prewar levels. This was manifested by increased somatic complaints, tension, and listlessness. Ss also showed increased cognitive weariness, signifying an impaired ability to concentrate and think clearly. The significant relationship between prewar burnout and wartime worry supports the hypothesis that prewar burnout will affect wartime appraisal of threat.