These are the results of the rhythmic individual all-around competition, the only Rhythmic Gymnastic event at the 1988 Summer Olympics. Rules for the rhythmic gymnastics competition changed since the previous Olympics. The ball apparatus was replaced by the rope. Thirty-nine gymnasts competed in the preliminary round, Each gymnast completed one exercise with each apparatus, the twenty best gymnasts advanced to the finals. Each competitor carried over half her preliminary round score (prelim score) to the final, where it was added to her score in the final (final score). In the final, they again performed one exercise with each apparatus.