Economic factors will have considerable impact on the development, distribution, specifications, and use of any new technology. Costs and revenues of CT in 1980 have been analyzed and used to develop a "model" for installation and operation of a future new imagine method. It is likely that any new method will be expensive, have a high proportion of fixed costs, and will require frequent (efficient) use in order to financially break even with charges acceptable to patients, physicians, and third-party payers. While expenses can be reduced, an associated reduction in quality of care is probable. An economic analysis also suggests that distribution of any new technology to smaller volume radiologic practices will be difficult and probably delayed for several years.