Binding of 125I-labeled insulin to the surface receptors of Cloudman S-91 mouse melanoma cells (CCL 53.1) was studied at various phases (M, G1, S, and G2) in the cell cycle. Insulin-binding activity was persistently present during the cell cycle but the highest activity was noted at the S-phase. The insulin once bound to the cell surface receptors at any phase of the cell cycle was internalized and degraded, presumably through a lysosomal pathway. Insulin-indexing activity of melanoma cells was not affected by melanocyte-stimulating hormone.