Thirty tumors in 25 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were examined by magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) with 2.0 Tesla superconductive magnet to evaluate the morphologic characteristics and signal intensity of the tumor Identical multislice/multiecho spin-echo techniques were used in all patients. T1-and T2-weighted images were obtained with TRs 500, 1500 and 2000 msec and TEs 30 , 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 msec. MRI could detect tumors in all patients. Morphologic characteristics of hepatocellular carcinoms were capsule with low-signal intensity on T1-and T2-weighted images(43%) irregular ill-defined margin (43%) and heterogeneous internal architecture (73%) Signal intensity of the tumor was iso-or high on T1-weighted images and high signal intensity on T2-weighted images in all cases. Signal intensity ratio between the tumor and surrounding liver parenchyma increased with prolonga-tion of TR and TE up to TR 2000 and TE 120msec and decreased with TR 2000 and TE 180 msec. Regenerating nodules with low-signal intensity on T1-and T2-weighted images were identified in 19 cases (83%) of 23 patients with liver cirrhosis. Tumoral invasion of portal vein was seen in six patients. Signal intensity of thrombus in portal vein was same as that of primary hepatic tumor. In two cases of recurrent hepatocellular carcinomas after surfery artifact from metallic clip was minimal as compared with that on CT scans. On the basis of our results we believe that MRI is useful in the evaluation of hepatocellular carcinomas. Advantages of MRI in the evaluation of hepatocellular carcinomas are differentia-tion of hepatoma from hemangioma and regenerating nodules of liver cirrhosis identification of angioinvasion of the tumor and postoperative follow-up in cases of surgery with metallic clip.