Sequential changes in cell proliferation during the development of epitherial kidney tumors induced in rats were investigated by autoradiographic determination of the $^3H$-thymidine-labeling index. Renal cell tumors were induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by oral administration of N-nitrosomorpholine at the concentration of 120 mg/l in the drinking water for 7 weeks. At different times between 12 and 34 weeks after withdrawal of the carcinogen (stop model) animals were sacrificed. According to cytological criteria, neoplastic lesions were classified into clear cell, acidophilic cell, basophilic cell and oncocytic tumors. The labeling index was found to be increased in all types of preneoplastic tubules as compared to their corresponding original tubules. A much stronger elevation of cell proliferation was ocurred during the development of renal cell tumors from preneoplastic tubules. Of four tumor types, acidophilic cell tumor showed the highest labeling index while oncocytoma exhibited the lowest proliferative activity. These findings are in good accordance with the clinical observations that acidophilic cell tumors have a worse prognosis than oncocytoma. The data presented in this study suggest that the individual proliferation rates may be an objective biological marker of kidney tumor aggressiveness.