We use variational techniques to prove existence and nonexistence results for the following singular elliptic system: {div(vertical bar del u vertical bar(p-2)del u) = theta z(q)/u(1-0), u > 0 in Omega is an element of W-0(,1p) (Omega), -div(vertical bar del z vertical bar(p-2)del z) = qz(q-1)u(theta), z > 0 in Omega, z is an element of W-0(1,p) (Omega), where Omega is a bounded open set in RN (N >= 2), p > 1, q > (land 0 < 0 < 1.