Abstract: A magnetic field generating apparatus for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus, including soft ferrite disposed adjacently to a gradient magnetic field coil which is disposed in a gap and serves to form a static magnetic field. The soft ferrite has saturated magnetic flux density (Rs) more than 0.4 T, coersive force (He) less than 50 A/m, and specific resistance .rho. more than 10.sup.-5 .OMEGA..multidot.cm. The magnetic field generating apparatus thus constructed has a magnetic circuit arrangement that a pair of permanent magnetic bodies which are disposed so as to confront each other and define the gap are magnetically connected through a yoke, and pole pieces are fixedly secured to the surfaces of the respective permanent magnetic bodies facing the gap, thereby generating the magnetic field in the gap.