  We discuss two different approximation schemes for the self-consistent
solution of the {\it relativistic} Brueckner-Hartree-Fock equation for finite
nuclei. In the first scheme, the Dirac effects are deduced from corresponding
nuclear matter calculations, whereas in the second approach the local-density
approximation is used to account for the effects of correlations. The results
obtained by the two methods are very similar. Employing a realistic
one-boson-exchange potential (Bonn~A), the predictions for energies and radii
of $^{16}$O and $^{40}$Ca come out in substantially better agreement with
experiment as compared to non-relativistic approaches. As a by-product of our
study, it turns out that the Fock exchange-terms, ignored in a previous
investigation, are not negligible.
