This study has been done for the purpose of investigating the factors influencing the hope in cancer patients. The subjects for this study were 61 patients receiving chemotherapy at one university hopital located in Kwang-Ju. The data were gathered from July 20 to August 30, 1994 through interviews by questionnaires. The data were analysed by frequency, mean & D., t-test, ANOVA, Pearson`s correlation coefficient, and Stepwise multiple regression, using and SAS program. The results of this study were summarized as follows; 1. The mean score of perceived social support was 105.8 with a score range from 25 to 125. The major source of social support was the spouse, and the major types of support were emotional and material support. 2. The mean socre of perceived symptom distress was 34.2 with a score range from 5 to 66. 3. The man score of perceived hope was 98.5 with a scor range from 44 to 111. 4. The relationship between levels of perceived social support and hope was significant (r=.409, p=.001). Therore the first hypothesis was supported. 5. The relationship between perceived degree of symptom distress and hope was significant (r=-.403, p=.001). Therefore hypothesis Ⅱ (1) was supported. 6. The relationship between perceived severity of symptom distress and hope was not significant (r=-.156, p=.227). Therefore hypothesis Ⅱ (2) was rejected. 7. The level of hope depending on general characteristics was significantly different in variables such as religion(F=2.87, P=.031), education level(F=5.58, P=.002), and pain of body(F=3.99, P=.050). 8. By using stepwise multiple regression analysis, it was determined that the main influencing factors on the hope were education level(19%), perceived social support(16%), degree of symptom distress(9%), religion(6%), and pain of body(2%). There variables made it possible to explain 53% of variance on hope.