| <table border="1"> | |
| <tr><td>RANK</td><td>1989 WORLD BEST PERFORMERS</td><td>TIME</td></tr> | |
| <tr><td>1.</td><td>Paula Ivan (ROU)</td><td>3:59.23*</td></tr> | |
| <tr><td>2.</td><td>Doina Melinte (ROU)</td><td>4:00.89</td></tr> | |
| <tr><td>3.</td><td>Svetlana Kitova (URS)</td><td>4:02.08</td></tr> | |
| <tr><td>4.</td><td>Yvonne Murray (GBR)</td><td>4:03.13</td></tr> | |
| <tr><td>5.</td><td>Yvonne Mai (GDR)</td><td>4:03.15</td></tr> | |
| </table> | |