Endobronchial sustained release implants of carcinogen were placed in males (m) and females (f) of four varieties of syngeneic hamsters: BIOF1D; BIO87.20; BIO1.5; BIO15.16. The sequential progression of carcinogenesis that occurred was faster for 1.5m than for 1.5f (P = 0.01) and less rapid for 15.16m than for 87.20m and F1Dm (P < 0.05). Fewer invasive cancers occurred in 15.16m than in the other male varieties (P < 0.01), in 1.5m than in 87.20m (P < 0.05), and in 87.20f than in 87.20m (P < 0.05). Adenocarcinoma occurred with greater frequency in the 1.5 variety than in the F1D variety (P < 0.05). Significant variability in susceptibility, incidence, and types of invasive cancers formed exists, providing new opportunities for further study of bronchial carcinogenesis.