Twelve cases of primary malignant lymphoma of the central nervous system experienced between 1980 and 1990 were investigated by histological and immunohistochemical findings correlated with clinical observation. Of the 12 patients, 6 were male and 6 were female. Their ages ranged from 31 to 58 years(mean, 45.8 years). All Tumors were supratentorial except 1 case which was found in the spinal cord. The fronto-parietal lobe was the most common site, which accounted for 66.7%. Histologically, all the tumors showed unfavorable histology. Diffuse large cell type was the most frequent(66.7%). Immunohistochemical studies using monoclonal antibodies revealed predominance of B-cell phenotype. Although most cases were treated with a combination of surgery and irradiation, the outcome was poor in all.