This paper applies the multiple-decrement life table to the analysis of mortality and self-reported disability by national samples, annually from 1986 until 1989, of population of age over 15. It was found that during this period of time, the shifts in ‘mortaliy’, and ‘disability’curves conform to the compression hypothesis. The area in between the two curves have shrunk in the 4 year period. But since we have only 4 years of observation, and the mortality transition in Taiwan has yet to reach the final and rising stage, we tend to accept the result on a tentative basis. The sex differential in disability has been examined. It is concluded that though at the younger ages women tend to spend less person-years in disability, the situation is quite different at older ages. Women tend to have greater chance and longer duration suffering from disability at old age than men. This is another indication that the compression in disability might be temporary.