The motility of the intestine consists of various contractile patterns which have either segmenting or propulsive function. To differentiate and quantify intestinal contractile patterns the temporal and spatial relation of several closely spaced transducers have to be analysed. For this purpose a special computer method was developed. The system consists of a subsystem for data acquisition and on-line peak detection and a personal computer for data storage and off-line analysis. The subsystem identifies each contraction on the basis of preestablished threshold and timing criteria. Economical and appropriate processing of signals from multichannel recordings requires data reduction which is performed by storing only the voltage and time characteristics of the contraction minimum and maximum. Subsequent analysis of the stored data, especially the measurement of the length of spread of contractions yields a more detailed analysis than commonly obtained. This method enables a rapid detection and exact numerical analysis of signals independent of their wave shapes. Intravenous infusion of neurotensin after administration of a non-caloric cellulose meal decreased the length of spread of contraction waves and slowed the transit rate of luminal contents. Cholecystokinin had a powerful stimulating effect by increasing the length of spread of contraction waves and by accelerating the transit rate.