The results of a study of spatial pattern formation in a two-dimensional oscillatory reaction–diffusion system are presented. The calculations are carried out on a discrete model of the Brusselator reaction. The system responds to inhomogeneous perturbations in two different ways. For most perturbations it relaxes back to a spatially homogeneous state with a phase shift. However, special perturbations produce persistent structures which consist of spiral waves and target patterns. The nature of these spatio-temporal states is discussed.