The compressive static and fatigue behavior of continuous fiber-reinforced composites has not yet been studied to a generally satisfactory state. The present investigation will contribute to the knowledge in compressive testing of polymer and metal matrix composites. As buckling is a major problem under compressive loading and is dependent on matrix properties, special attention has been given to determine experimentally the compressive strength of the neat matrix. A special test figure was designed. Fatigue tests were performed at different stress ratios of R = σ_min/σ_max = 0.1, -1, -0.55, and 10. Two different types of fibers were used in the study: the intermediate modulus fiber T800 and the high-tenacity fiber T300, both with the BMI/resin system 5245c from BASF-Narmco. Finally, the compressive response of metal matrix composites was studied using Al₂O₃ fiber-reinforced aluminum.