A clonal cell line (ALC) derived from murine bone marrow stroma is capable of supporting the continuous, in vitro growth of early lymphoid and myeloid cell populations. The growth-promoting effects of ALC are in part mediated through M-CSF and a pre-B cell growth factor, both of which accumulate in ALC-culture supernatant. To analyze the lymphoid growth factor produced by ALC cells, we derived a pre-B cell indicator line that is dependent on ALC-growth-conditioned medium. Using a combination of biological and biochemical analyses, we have established that the pre-B cell growth factor produced by ALC cells is distinct from IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, and IL-4 (BSF-1), suggesting that the early stages of B-cell development are regulated by a unique stroma-derived growth factor.