  In the context of assessing the detectability of the coalescence of two
neutron stars (NS) by currently built gravitational-wave experiments, we
present a way of obtaining an upper limit to the coalescence rate in the
Galaxy. We consider the NS/NS progenitors just before the second supernova
explosion. By combining our theoretical understanding of orbital dynamics at NS
formation with methods of empirically estimating pulsar birth rates we derive
an upper limit of a few mergers every 100,000 yr. Such a Galactic rate implies
a possible detection by the ``enhanced'' LIGO of up to a few to ten mergers per
year.
