Familial atypical multiple mole-melanoma (FAMMM) syndrome is characterized by the familial occurrence of malignant melanoma of the skin in combination with multiple atypical precursor naevi. In the present study we performed linkage analysis in seven Dutch FAMMM families to define the relationship between the ultimate phenotype melanoma and the postulated precursors, atypical (dysplastic) naevi. Various models were defined, varying from melanoma only to various combinations of melanoma and atypical naevi, reflecting the FAMMM phenotype. Using 124 microsatellite markers spread across all autosomes, hints for linkage were obtained between several chromosome 9p markers and a melanoma locus (D9S171; odds for linkage, 275:1). In a model including melanoma and a florid manifestation of atypical naevi a considerably higher lod score was obtained with D9S171 (odds for linkage, 4365:1); models including milder manifestations yielded less support. We conclude that, also in the Dutch FAMMM families, a melanoma gene is located on the short arm of chromosome 9 and that multiple atypical naevi, at least in certain cases, seems to be a component of the FAMMM phenotype.