Stray field nuclear magnetic resonance imaging has been used to study the diffusion of acetone vapour into poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). For the first time in a n.m.r. imaging experiment the penetrant, the swollen polymer and the rigid polymer have been simultaneously visualized. Results are presented for a range of acetone vapour activities and sample preparation temperatures, and also for a sample prepared with deuterated acetone. The profiles show that the diffusion is of Case II type. A sloping profile is observed behind the penetrant front and is interpreted in terms of a softening of the swollen polymer, which occurs over a period of hours after penetration by the acetone. The softening rate has been measured as a function of temperature.