The diagnostic value of a fast multislice gradient-echo sequence was compared with that of conventional spin-echo sequences in a prospective study of 76 patients. With the multislice gradient-echo sequence, the entire liver can be examined in less than 3 minutes since five sections can be imaged during one breath-holding period. The strongly T1-weighted gradient-echo sequence (GRE 100/5/80 degrees) yields a significantly better T1-contrast than the T1-weighted spin-echo sequence (SE 500/15) (p less than 0.01) and thus improves the visualization of liver lesions. Another major advantage of the fast gradient-echo sequence is the pronounced reduction of motion artefacts.