The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the contributions of computerized health risk appraisal when used as a supplement to the traditional methods of health instruction. Subjects were a convenience sample of 26 students enrolled in a university level, personal health course. Using a one group pretest posttest design, these subjects were evaluated in terms of knowledge of causes of death specific to the individual, knowledge of risk factors, behavioral intentions, and health beliefs (changeability) before and after a health risk appraisal. The computer appraisal program used included the Health Risk Appraisal program (Raines and Ellis, 1982) and the Computerized Health Appraisal program (Hall, 1983). Results showed significant improvements on measures of student knowledge of causes of death and risk factors, but no beneficial effects on behavioral intentions and changeability. Although the diagnostic and therapeutic benefits of health risk appraisal remain uncertain, findings indicate that the computerized health risk appraisal was a useful health promotion tool when used in a personal health class. A copy of the test instrument is included and 26 references are listed. (LMM)