Rapid-growing mycobacterium is a common pathogen for non-tuberculous mycobacterial diseases. In October 2012 , a strain of rapid-growing mycobacterium was isolated from abscess fluid and tissue lesions of an outpatient in our department. The morphological features of the strain were shown as follows: unequal size, slightly dry, off-white, non-hemolytic, greasy-like in saline smear, and Gram stain-positive with pale and uneven color. The acid-fast staining showed strong positive and branched. The strain was identified as Mycobacterium chelonei through sequencing and BLAST analysis. The combination therapy of amikacin, clarithromycin, cefoxitin and rifampin was effective.