We correlated the histopathology of 32 cases of salivary gland tumors with MR imaging and flow cytometric DNA analysis. All malignant tumors were invasive and/or had an ill-defined margin. Fifty-seven percent of the pleomorphic adenomas were shown as a high signal intensity area on T2 weighted images. Fifty-six percent of Warthin tumors were shown as a low or iso signal intensity area on T2 weighted images associated with the cystic portion. Sixty-seven percent of malignant tumors were characterized by DNA aneuploidy and/or a total percentage of the S-phase fraction plus the G2 + M fraction higher than 10%. It was less than 10% and the Ki-67 positive fraction was higher than 20% in all pleomorphic adenomas. The Ki-67 positive fraction was less than 20% in 78% of Warthin tumors. The histopathology of all malignant tumors, 86% of the pleomorphic adenomas, and 89% of Warthin tumors was correctly predicted by the combination of MR images and flow cytometry. We suggest that the MR images combined with flow cytometric analysis of fine needle aspiration-derived materials is useful in the pre-operative histopathologic diagnosis of salivary gland tumors.