Reports show striking regional and ethnic variations in the incidence and pattern of certain malignancies in the Middle East. In view of this, a study of 19 cases of malignant tumours of the bone seen at King Fahd University Hospital during the period 1981-1983 was carried out. Of these eight were primary and eleven secondary tumours. Lymphoma and Ewing's sarcoma formed 50% of the primary tumours. Breast and lungs were the chief sources of secondary deposits in the bone.