Soft tissue sarcomas were induced by 20-methylcholanthrene in NMRI-mice. The tumors were characterized as rhabdomyosarcomas by light and electron microscopy as well as immunohistochemistry (vimentin, desmin and myoglobin expression). Cytokeratins could be demonstrated by a panel of different poly- and monoclonal antibodies in original rhabdomyosarcomas, their allotransplants and the re-established tumors from cell culture in nude mice. The cytokeratin positive tumor cells were arranged in small clusters and/or haphazardly single dispersed in the rhabdomyosarcomas. By means of monoclonal antibodies cytokeratins No. 8 and No. 19 could be evidenced and cytokeratin No. 18 could be made probably. Behind the background of cytokeratin expression in developing fetal cross striated muscle cells our findings are discussed as a reminiscence of embryonal muscle development in these tumors. The significance of cytokeratin expression in rhabdomyosarcomas for diagnostic histopathology is emphasized.