Background and objective The deletion of allele located at 3p21.3 region is found in 50%-80% of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC), suggesting that this region might harbor some tumor suppressor genes (TSGs). It is anticipated that some TSGs closely related to NSCLC carcinogenesis might be found by screening the expression of genes, located at the commonly deleted region 3p21.3, in NSCLC. Methods Semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and related statistical analysis were applied to examine the expression status of 11 genes closely related to tumor selected from 3p21.3 by bioinformatics in 16 NSCLC biopsies. Results No expression or down-regulation of RASSF1A, GNAT1, SEMA3B, SEMA3F, Blu were observed in 43.8% (7/16), 37.5% (6/16), 62.5% (10/16), 50% (8/16), 56.3% (9/16) respectively, in NSCLC tissues (P<0.05). No difference was found in another six genes (ZNF35, NPRL2, LTF, AUXD1, BAP1 and FUS1) from 11 genes in NSCLC and matched tumor-adjacent normal tissues. Conclusion Several genes identified from 3p21.3 may play a certain role in NSCLC carcinogenesis.