Ninety-two high-resolution spectra of the peculiar Be star HD 50138 ha
ve been obtained in two spectral regions encompassing the lines He I 5
876, DNa I and H alpha. The profiles of the H alpha and DNa I lines di
splay a number of blue-shifted shell components overlapping the intens
e emission. Rapid variability of these lines favours a discrete struct
ure of the remote stellar wind and an extensive shell containing local
condensations. In the He I 5876 line, which is probably formed in the
chromosphere near the stellar surface, the type of profile is more co
mplex and variable. The analysis of its variability has shown that cir
cumstellar gas in the vicinity of the star contains both outflows and
accretion zones. The DNa I emission components are very asymmetric wit
h line-centre positions being displaced to about -50 km s(-1). This is
probably connected with an opaque circumstellar disk in the remote en
velope. Obvious similarity of circumstellar peculiarities in HD 50138
and some young Herbig stars is noted.