We describe herein a translocation, t(1;3)(p36;q21), that was found in the bone marrow of a patient with acute myelomonocytic leukemia preceded by a long lasting myelodysplastic phase. An identical translocation has been reported in three other myelodysplastic patients. one of whom also developed an acute myelomonocytic leukemia. The possible significance of this specific translocation is briefly discussed.