The effects of pacing frequency, overdrive duration and stimulus amplitude on the sinus node recovery time (SNRT) were studied in the isolated right atrium of the rat. A positive relationship between pacing frequency and the SNRT was observed, whereas overdrive duration and stimulus amplitude did not affect SNRT. There was no significant interaction among the factors studied. The effect of frequency upon SNRT probably does not involve neurotransmitter release due to stimulation, since in vitro pretreatment with atropine plus propranolol does change the SNRT-frequency relation.