For many years clinical reports have suggested that colo-rectal cancer is uncommon in the Asian population resident in England and a report in 1990 confirmed this in Asians living in Bradford. This study aims to establish the incidence of colo-rectal cancer in the Asian population resident in the city of Leicester during the 11 y period 1 January 1981-31 December 1991. The relative frequency of colo-rectal carcinoma in Asians compared to Europeans over the period studied was 0.16 (Asian/European, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.04-0.75). This difference was statistically significant and further analysis showed that there was a real trend with an increased relative frequency amongst the younger age groups. Although there was a significantly lower incidence of colo-rectal carcinoma in the Asian population in Leicester city over the period studied it is unknown whether this is due to environmental or genetic factors. During the next decade it is likely to become clearer as to whether this difference will persist or whether there will be an increase in the incidence of colo-rectal carcinoma in Asians in Leicestershire.