We have synthesized and characterized cDNA complementary to purified mRNA derived from the lambda chain producing myeloma tumor, RPC-20. This cDNA is of sufficinet length to encode the constant region and a major portion of the variable region sequence of the lambda gene. In addition, the expected range of cross-hybridization of this lambda probe has been shown to extend to several different members of the closely related lambda subgroup, as well as to a member of the lambda subgroup represented by MOPC-315. Since there are a minimum of seven known members of the common lambda subgroup in addition to MOPC-315, these sequences, in accordance with the germ line hypothesis, must be represented by a minimum of eight variable region genes. Using the RPC-20 cDNA probe and hybridization kinetic analysis, this sequence was found to be represented as approximately two copies per haploid genome in DNA derived from a variety of k-and lambda-producing tumors and normal tissue. Inasmuch as the cross-hybridization range of the probe has been assessed and a minimum size of the lambda subgroup determined, this observation tends to rule out separate germ line genes corresponding to each individual lambda light chain variant. Certain reservations about these conclusions are discussed.