A restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-based linkage map for common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) covering 827 centiMorgans (cM) was developed based on a F2 mapping population derived from a cross between BAT93 and Jalo EEP558. The parental genotypes were chosen because they exhibited differences in evolutionary origin, allozymes, phaseolin type, and for several agronomic traits. The segregation of 152 markers was analyzed, including 115 RFLP loci, 7 isozyme loci, 8 random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker loci, and 19 loci corresponding to 15 clones of known genes, 1 virus resistance gene, 1 flower color gene, and 1 seed color pattern gene. Using MAPMAKER and LINKAGE-1, we were able to assign 143 markers to 15 linkage groups, whereas 9 markers remained unassigned. The average interval between markers was 6.5 cM; only one interval was larger than 30 cM. A small fraction (9%) of the markers deviated significantly from the expected Mendelian ratios (1โถ2โถ1 or 3โถ1) and mapped into four clusters. Probes of known genes belonged to three categories: seed proteins, pathogen response genes, and Rhizobium response genes. Within each category, sequences homologous to the various probes were unlinked. The I gene for bean common mosaic virus resistance is the first disease resistance gene to be located on the common bean genetic linkage map.