Objective To investigate the clinical thoracic images of SARS. Methods Thoracic images of SARS were analyzed in 175 patients with 1 060 chest plain films and 20 CT scans. Results The typical signs of SARS were multifocal air-space consolidations and progress over a day from small shadow to generalized findings. Conclusion It is necessary to make the diagnosis of SARS with thoracic plain film, and CT could detect the early pulmonary abnormality of SARS.