A method for driving a plasma display having a plurality of cathodes and anodes arranged in a matrix structure and a plurality of discharge cells formed at intersecting portions of the cathodes and anodes. Each cathode is addressed and subsequently a sustaining pulse for a predetermined time during a sustaining period is applied to each cathode so that the sustaining period is increased. The method maintains a discharge-sustaining time by adding a predetermined sustaining pulse during a writing phase after addressing all cathodes, thereby enhancing the brightness of the discharge cell.