A global survey of RNA from 14 fetal and 12 adult human organs by RT-PCR determined the expression patterns of 790 genes encoding DNA-binding transcription factors. The data can be sorted to identify sets of transcription factors with expression relatively restricted to a given organ or to particular organ groups. These data are a resource to help define the spectrum of transcription factor control, contribute to the elucidation of transcription factor cascades responsible for the development and maintenance of each organ, and provide a baseline to study the effects of disease or developmental defects.