We have cloned several cDNAs derived from the P gene of rinderpest virus. One of these, derived from a bicistronic N-P mRNA, has been sequenced in its entirety. Sequencing of a section of the others, and comparison with the genome sequence, showed that P gene transcripts, as for other morbilliviruses, were variable; non-templated Gs could be added at a site resembling the normal stop transcription site. Primer extension analysis showed that about half the transcripts were edited. Sequences of the P, C and V proteins encoded by the normal and edited transcripts were compared with those of other morbilliviruses and with those of the more distantly related paramyxoviruses.