Canonical forms for axial symmetric space-times

The general canonical forms for axial symmetric space-times are investigated. Special forms such as static, stationary and cylindrical are considered. Our results are based only upon the symmetries assumed, not upon the field equations; thus they are applicable to vacuum, electromagnetic and matter field problems. In particular, we find a term that was missing in previous work. There can be in the general canonical form a metric coefficient between the axis of symmetry and the angle about this axis. This metric coefficient survives even for static or stationary space-times.