The mRNA expression of protooncogenes c-Ki-ras, c-myc, and c-fos was studied in five pancreatic carcinomas and five normal pancreatic tissues using RNase protection assay and Northern blot analysis. The expression of those protooncogenes was detected in total mRNA from all specimens. However, the amounts in carcinomas and in normal tissues differed. C-Ki-ras mRNA in all the tumors was expressed up to sixfold more than in normal tissues. C-fos mRNA was also overexpressed up to tenfold in four of five tumors. In contrast, c-myc mRNA levels were varied and did not differ significantly between tumors and normal tissues. The results suggest that the overexpression of c-Ki-ras and c-fos mRNA are implicated in the development of pancreatic adenocarcinoma.