The study was carried out on 20 gilts from 15 to 70 kg. From 15 to 25 kg the animals were fed a starter diet at three feeding levels: group C, 100; group D1, 85; D2, 60% of intake. From 25 to 70 kg the animals were fed a grower diet at the standard feeding level. During restriction, the D1 and D2 pigs grew slower than the C pigs (382, 240 vs 512 g/day) and reached 25 kg 8 and 23 days later, respectively. During realimentation, both D1 and D2 pigs utilized feed more efficiently and grew faster than controls. Overall performance (15–70 kg) indicates that D1 pigs grew at similar rate and D2 significantly slower than the C pigs (670, 677, 565 g/day) but both previously restricted pigs utilized protein more efficiently. The D1 group showed a full compensatory response.