Discussion of the impact of the computer sciences upon related fields is not new. Indeed, Ridenour (3) discussed the social and scientific implications as long ago as 1949, while Rigler (4) considered radiological aspects in 1963. One needs only to peruse the cumulative indexes of Radiology and compare the increasing attention devoted to the computer in more recent volumes to appreciate its dynamic status in our field. While it is the possibility of digitizing microdensitometer readings or of optically scanning x-ray films that excites the imagination as this comes within the realm of possibility with computers of huge memories and nanosecond response time, it is in the more mundane areas of control and communications that the available potential is not approached. This is not to imply that the Radiologist is about to be replaced by a flawless and tireless machine. Certainly quite the opposite is true. Consider the number of bytes of information that would be written into a program simply to divide a single film into sections of one or two square millimeters relating to every other such square on the film. The Radiologist must not only do this but also integrate information from other films of present and past examinations to the area of interest, this with the clinical background, and then calculate the conditional probabilities in the process of “reading” the film. The computer at the present is struggling with a level of optical reading where an upside-down alphanumeric character or even the best handwriting presents a yet-to-be-solved crisis. Paraphrasing Fuller (1), how can the computer help to free the radiologist to return to the care of the patient and his studies? By excluding from our considerations at this time the possible but remote to concentrate on areas now operational in closely related fields, application may be divided into administrative, parascientific, and scientific. It would be well to keep in proper perspective through the discussion that, even at the present stage of development, it is the administrative and economic factors that present limits rather than system design and performance. Administrative Programs: It would not require an expert to construct a flow chart beginning with the order for a radiological examination from a referring physician to the conclusion of the reporting of the case in a computerized system. The program would be written to search out conflicts, both patient and departmental, order in sequence their relative importance, and decide the indicated progression. A request, as for a gastrointestinal study, would initiate orders to dietary, nursing, transportation, and x-ray facilities by remote print-out stations. Pathways for reducing billing and insurance inefficiency open concomitantly.