Abstract. We improve upon the running time of several graph and network algorithms when applied to dense graphs. In particular, we show how to compute on a machine with word size L = f2 (log n) a maximal matching in an n-vertex bipartite graph in time O (n 2 + n2"5/~.) = O (n2"5/log n), how to compute the transitive closure of a digraph with n vertices and m edges in time O(n 2 + nm/,k), how to solve the uncapacitated transportation problem with integer costs in the range [0..C] and integer demands in the range [-U..U] in time O ((n 3 (log log / log n) 1/2 + n 2 log U) log nC), and how to solve the assignment problem with integer costs in the range [0..C] in time O(n 2"5 lognC/(logn/loglogn)l/4). Assuming a suitably compressed input, we also show how to do depth-first and breadth-first search and how to compute strongly connected components and biconnected components in time O(n~. + n2/L), and how to solve the single source shortest-path problem with integer costs in the range [0..C] in time O (n 2 (log C)/log n). For the transitive closure algorithm we also report on the experiences with an implementation. Key Words.