Based on a theoretical analysis, the paper establishes the mathematical models of the periodical publishing process:a continuous model and a discrete model and a group of difference equations, which is derived from the former. The validity of the models is demonstrated by a particular solution of the continuous model at steady state. To some degree, the paper provides an effective mathematical tool for the quantitative study of the periodical literature publishing process. © 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved