Summary form only given. Pure nickel, Hastealloy X, and Inconel 718 alloys were laser drilled to a depth of 0. 8 in. A pulsed CO//2 laser was used for drilling. The operating parameters that were varied included voltage, pulse width, and repetition rate. Holes were drilled in specimens 1/4 multiplied by 1/4 multiplied by 0. 8 in. It was found that generally the holes were narrow at the top and bottom of the specimens with a bulging out in the center. The degree of bulging was a function of the pulse width; the initial hole diameter was a function of pulse width and voltage, with lower voltages producing smaller holes and longer pulse widths larger holes.