Suspension cells of Taxus brevifolia were cultured as an alternative source of taxol and related taxanes. The effects of basal medium, sugar type, and sugar concentration on growth and taxane production were investigated. To induce taxol production, modification of medium composition was necessary. Fructose supported the best taxol yield and the use of high concentration of sugar was desirable. The maximum level of taxol obtained after 10 days of culture in an optimized condition was 1.43 mg/L, which was 0.013% as a specific content.