Abstract: A catheter for use in angioplasty includes a shaft formed from an elongated metallic tube and has an inflatable balloon at its distal end. A plastic tube connects a distal end of the metallic tube to a proximal end of the balloon. The metallic and plastic tubes thus define a lumen for providing inflation pressure to the balloon. A metallic core member is attached to the metallic tube and extends distally therefrom through the plastic tube and balloon. The distal end of the balloon is sealably secured to the core member. A tip body is connected to the core member distally of the balloon, with a short guide wire lumen being defined on the tip body. The guide wire lumen is adapted to slidably receive a guide wire which then extends along the catheter exteriorly of the balloon.