A series of experiments was devised to determine possible modifying effects of stress, aspirin, and sodium taurocholate on the activity of N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in the Buffalo rat stomach. MNNG is a well known, direct-reacting carcinogen, and has been a reliable agent for the experimental production of gastric adenocarcinoma. The authors were able to produce adenocarcinomas in rats, but found a great number of gastric leiomyosarcomas. These occurred only in the groups given MNNG in combination with stress, aspirin, or sodium taurocholate, and did not occur in experimental groups given either MNNG, stress, aspirin, or sodium taurocholate alone, and did not occur in the control group.