This contribution explores the sensitivity of computed quadratic hyperpolarizabilities to the choice of chromophore molecular geometry. The nonlinear optical response of 25 organic r-electron molecular chromophores is calculated for four different types of input geometries using the ZINDO-sos formalism. The calculated nonlinear optical susceptibilites are found to be surprisingly sensitive to certain key alterations in molecular structure; this is understandable i n terms of modifications in the conjugation strength through the asystern. We also describe an efficient, a priori prescription for constructing chromophore input geometries that yield accurate quadratic hyperpolarkabilities within the ZINDO-sos formalism. The first optical absorption maxima, the dipole moments, and the second-order nonlinear optical responses computed from these idealized geometries are essentially identical to those derived from MOPAC-Optimized structures and correspond well with available experimental data. SOC. 100, 6595 (1978).(1 978).