Abstract: OBJECTIVE To investigate the distribution and drug resistance of Staphylococcus aureus (SAU) isolated from hospitalized patients, so as to provide helpful information for further study of pathogenic activity and resistant mechanism of SAU. METHODS A total of 98127 samples from Jan.2012 to Dec.2014 were selected and retrospectively studied,including blood, pleural fluid and ascites, urine, secretion/abscess drain, postoperative drainage, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, swabs and sputum. The distribution and drug resistance of SAU were analyzed. RESULTS Totally 20132 pathogenic bacterial strains were isolated from 98127 patients and the isolation rate was 20.52%. Of these cases, 1053 SA strains were identified and the isolation rate was 1.07% (1053/98127). Totally 464 strains were isolated from lower respiratory tract, 208 strains were isolated from secretion/abscess drain/drainage, 60 strains were isolated from swabs, accounting for 4.07%, 19.75%, and 5.70%. SAU were mainly in the department of respiration, pediatrics, and ICU, accounting for 17.19%, 15.95%, and 11.30%. The drug resistance of SAU to ceftriaxone, ampicillin-sulbactam, and tetracycline showed significant difference between 2012 and 2014. The drug resistant rates to penicillin G, oxacillin, amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate and cefazolin had no significant difference. Vancomycin and linezolid -resistant strains had not been observed. The MRSA were 43.30%, 38.10%, and 37.10% in the past 3 years, with no significant difference. CONCLUSION The above results demonstrate that SAU plays an important role in numerous infections for hospitalized patients, meanwhile, the difference in the distribution of MRSA and resistant rate of SA from different specimens can be observed.