Abstract: A surgical instrument tray has a base with a raised portion to support lever members of ring-handled surgical instruments. The base is formed to have an end portion angulating away from the base with slots formed therein sized to receive the ring handles attached to the lever members of the surgical instruments to hold the instruments in an upstanding manner. Apertures are positioned in opposite side members proximate the raised portion through which retaining members are positioned to hold the surgical instruments in the tray and to hold the working member portion of the surgical instrument separate to facilitate sterilization. The retaining members are arcuate in shape in order to apply a spring-like force to retain selectively surgical instruments in the tray and to selectively hold the lever member of the instrument apart so that the working members of the surgical instrument are separate.