We conducted a review of the Leeds Regional Bone Tumour Registry for primary bone tumours of the spine since establishment in 1958 until year 2000. To analyse the incidence of primary tumours of the spine and to record the site of occurrence, sex distribution, survival and pathology of these tumours. Primary tumours of the spine are particularly rare, accounting for between 4 and 13% of published series of primary bone tumours. The Leeds Bone Tumour Registry was reviewed and a total of 2,750 cases of bone tumours and tumour-like cases were analysed. Consultants in orthopaedic surgery, neurosurgery, oncology and pathology in North and West Yorkshire and Humberside contribute to the Registry. Primary bone tumours of the osseous spine constitute only 126 of the 2,750 cases (4.6%). Chordoma was the most frequent tumour in the cervical and sacral regions, while the most common diagnosis overall was multiple myeloma and plasmacytoma. Osteosarcoma ranked third. The mean age of presentation was 42 years and pain was the most common presenting symptom, occurring in 95% of malignant and 76% of benign tumours. Neurological involvement occurred in 52% of malignant tumours and usually meant a poor prognosis. The establishment of Bone Tumour Registries is the only way that sufficient data on large numbers of these rare tumours can be accumulated to provide a valuable and otherwise unavailable source of information for research, education and clinical follow-up.