This article focuses on hospital administration, particularly as perceived by directors of public hospitais in city ofRio de Janeiro. The objective is to characterize the professional profile ofthese directors, their current views on hospital organization and management and perceptions oftheir managerial work. The study sought to respond to questions about professional background, training in management and time in the current posto A second group of questions was related to determinants of management practice. Specifically, it sought to verify the director's comprehension of the characteristics and specificities of a public hospital and its management. A third group consisted of questions related to management functions within, and externai to, the hospital, the management role of directors, problems confronted, and the director's major activities.Caracterização do perfil profissional dos diretores de hospitais públicos do município do Rio de Janeiro. Visão da organização hospitalar e sua gerência, e também do trabalho gerencial desenvolvido.