The neoplasias resistance to chemotherapy is mainly due to multidrug resistance phenomenon (MDR) mediated by an ATP-dependent efflux pump called P-glycoprotein. This function can be reversed by many multidrug reversing agents so numerous chemotherapy regimens have been initiated in malignancies. To make sure the success of these protocols it is necessary to detect as soon and as certain as possible the presence of resistant cells among malignant population. We have chosen to evaluate functional test using rhodamine 123 in this aim in view. We have made various mixtures of resistant ans sensitive cells of three cell lines. Rhodamine 123 allows to detect 1% of resistant cells among sensitive cells. Influence of dead cells on the interpretation is discussed.