Chinese hamster Don cell line metaphase chromosomes were digested with Hae III restriction enzyme and examined by electron microscopy. The enzymatic digestions were carried out employing two different methods: digestion in suspension and transference of metaphases. The activity of Hae III induced a G-like banding pattern, but the mechanism of formation of bands is different depending on the treatment used. Furthermore, we observed that chromosomes 1, 2 and 9 from Don cell line showed the centromeres highly affected after the enzymatic treatment. The appearance of ghost-like structures led us to visualize swollen chromosomes in which only contour delineation could be well-differentiated. Such chromosomes appear as empty structures showing the greatest alteration of chromosomal structure.