Surface swab samples from beef (188), pork (240) and chicken (95) carcasses were collected from slaughterhouse in Kangwon and Kyunggi areas from March through July 1996. The samples were examined on the level of E. coli biotype I relevant to fecal contamination due to unsanitary processing control and the existence of verocytotoxin-producing E. coli (VTEC). E. coli biotype I were confirmed from 38.8% of beef, 40.0% of pork, and 69.5% of chicken carcasses. Little variation was noted among three sampling points; rump, flank and neck of beef, ham, belly and jowls of pork. coli O157:H7 was only confirmed from 2 of 188 beef carcasses. E. coli biotype I. All the isolated E. coli O157 showed positive for vero cell cytotoxicity test. Isolation rate of E. coli O157 in summer was higher than in spring. In case of pork and chicken carcasses, E. coli O157 was isolated in summer only.