This paper describes a theoretical study together with a few experimental results of nonlinear dye transmission under inclusion of the influence of stimulated emission, due to a high-

optical resonator surrounding a transversely excited dye sample. The rate equation approach takes into account spatial attenuation of the exciting radiation. Formulas are derived for both the intensity dependent dye transmission and the resultant dye laser output intensity. The study comprises all relevant facts of dye laser operation, such as reabsorption, triplet effects, and excited state absorption (ESA).