Objective To explore the application value of peripheral lung X- ray film and CT. Methods 47 cases of peripheral lung cancer patients were pathologically diagnosed by X- ray and CT examination in 2010 March- 2013 year in March,and who were treat-ed in our hospital. Results After scanning with X and CT methods, three mass syndrome of cancer signs found were lobulation and burr sign, fol owed by the hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes. CT diagnosis of cancer sign ratio was significantly higher than that of X- ray examination, the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Early peripheral lung cancer imaging characteristics of small, easy to misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis, to make full use of the X line, and combined with CT examination, in- depth analysis and staging of lesions.