Chemical and physical methods of introducing genes into cells (transfection) are being combined with viral transduction as one possible approach toward overcoming the shortcomings of current gene transfer methods. Although several different strategies are being developed worldwide, this article focuses on modification of retroviral vectoring systems. One goal of this work is to combine the safety and ease of transfection methods with the permanency that is presently achieved only by integrating viruses. Work with retrotransposon pseudotypes, synthetic retrovectors, and liposomal delivery of retrovirus vectors is discussed.