Abstract The use of a large-circumference, high-energy, electron-positron collider such as PEP, TRISTAN or PETRA to drive a free-electron laser (FEL), producing high levels of coherent power at short wavelengths around 40 A is explored. We consider self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE), in which electron bunches with low emittance, high peak current and small energy spread radiate coherently in a single pass through a long undulator. As the electron beam passes down the undulator, its interaction with the increasingly intense spontaneous radiation causes a bunch density modulation at the optical wavelength, resulting in stimulated emission and exponential growth of coherent power in a single pass. The need for optical-cavity mirrors, which place a lower limit on the wavelength of a conventional FEL oscillator, is avoided. Various combinations of electron-beam and undulator parameters, as well as special undulator designs, are discussed. Saturation and high peak, in-band, coherent power (460 MW) are possible with a 67 m, hybrid permanent-magnet undulator in a ring bypass. A 100 m, cusp-field undulator can achieve high average, in-band, coherent power (0.25 W) in the main ring. The existing, 25.6 m. Paladin undulator at LLNL, with the addition of optical-klystron dispersive sections, is considered for both peak and average power.