Preliminary experience at Lehigh Valley Hospital suggests that the promise of liquid‐based cervical cytology preparation not only improves sensitivity of the cytology test but also greatly enhances the overall quality of the cervicovaginal cytology service. Although the promise appears to be real, cautious optimism is indicated. In the future, more liquid‐based cervicovaginal tests coupled with outcome studies will help in the evaluation of whether liquid‐based systems truly allow better determination of both diagnosis and prognosis. See also pages 193‐6.