In this study we aimed toinvestigate the predictive value of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) detected by fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-18-FDG PET/CT) in stage I and II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The records of 240 NSCLC patients were analyzed retrospectively. Clinicopathologic characteristics were evaluated to identify the independent factors that affect SUVmax. The diagnostic efficiency and optimal cut-off value of SUVmax were calculated by the receiver operating characteristic curve. Survival curves were estimated according to the Kaplan-Meier method and statistical differences were assessed using the log-rank test. Univariate analysis showed that the gender, smoking history, tumor size, histology, lymphovascular invasion (LVI), visceral pleural invasion (VPI), p-T factor, p-N factor and p-TNM stage were correlated to SUVmax. Multivariate regression analysisidentified tumor size (P = 0.001), histology (P < 0.001), LVI (P = 0.023), and p-TNM stage (P = 0.027) as independent factors. SUVmax was a predictor for LVI and nodal metastasis with the highest diagnostic accuracy at a cut-off value of 7. Patients with SUVmax < 7 had significantly better relapse-free survival than those with SUVmax >= 7 (P < 0.001). While there was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) between the two groups (P = 0.107), patients with SUVmax < 7 had a higher 5-y OS rate than those with SUVmax >= 7 (86.3% versus 74.1%). In conclusion, preoperative SUVmax indicates the aggressiveness of the primary tumor, and shows a significant association with relapse after complete resection of early stage NSCLC.