We describe in this letter a novel approach to obtain a tunable midinfrared (mid-IR) laser output. By applying quasiphase-matched difference frequency generation in a periodically domain inverted LiNbO3crystal placed inside aCr3+:LiSAF laser cavity, more than 50 mW of mid-IR output was generated using only 1.8 watts of red diode or dye laser pumping. Wavelength tuning of the mid-IR signals from 3.3 to 4.2 &mgr;m was demonstrated by tuning only the wavelength of theCr3+:LiSAF emission, without the need to reorient the LiNbO3crystal for domain period adjustment. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.