This study has been done for the purpose of identifying performance of health promoting behavior and the variables affecting health promoting behavior in college students. 350 college students at D university in P city were chosen by cluster sampling. The data were collected by questionnaire from December 4 to December 20, 1996. The instruments used for this study included health promoting lifestyle, self-esteem, health locus of control and perceived health status. The data were analyzed by use of mean, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient and stepwise multiple regression. The results are summarized as follows; 1. The average item score for the health promoting behavior was low at 2.49. In the sub-categories, the highest degree of performance was <harmonious relationships>, 2.99, and the lowest degree was <professional health management>, 1.43. 2. There was no statistically significant difference between the mean for health promoting behavior of the female, 2.49 and that of the male, 2.48(t=-0.3664, p=.7143). But there was statistically significant difference among the mean for health promoting behavior classified by grade(F=3.67, p=.0126). 3. Performance of health promoting behavior was positively correlated with <self-esteem> and <health locus of control-internal>, and negatively correlated with <health locus of control-powerful others> and <perceived health status>. 4. The most important factor affecting performance of health promoting behavior was <self-esteem>.