The study assesses the role of the exchange market in financing enterprises, taking into account such parameters as: the value of public offers, the relation of market capitalization to the GDP and the number of major domestic companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. It also analyses the cost of issue, one of the major inhibitors to a more extensive use of the issue of shares via public offer. The initial public offerings at the WSE and the selected consecutive issues in the period 2003-2005 (the first and the second quarter) are also discussed. The article also presents key facilities for issuers raising capital via the exchange recently introduced in the legal regulations regarding public offerings Results achieved due to listing a company are also emphasised.