A data processing system for handling images of specimens and associated data, comprising: a source of digital image data representing images (124, 126) of the specimens to a predetermined magnification; an image database containing memory for storing the digital image data and associated data relating to the image data; a workflow database containing memory for storing case management data (240, 242, 244, 246) including data input by the pathologist and associated with the specimens; a computer workstation comprising at least one digital processor coupled to the image database and to the workflow database, the processor being operable under control of a user to obtain and display selected ones of the images (124, 126) for review, to accept user input by the pathologist relating to the examination of the specimens by the pathologist and to record in at least one of the image database and the workflow database information resulting from the user input; wherein the handling comprises steps in a predetermined sequence for viewing mounted tissue samples associated with patient case files for review by a pathologist as digital images of one or more tissue samples and specimen slides, wherein each said specimen slide corresponds to plural image views in the image database for at least one of diverse locations on the slide and diverse levels of magnification; characterized in that the digital processor is programmed, in conjunction with display of the image data, to present to the user a display based on the case management data in the workflow database, said display based on the case management data comprising visual representations emulating contents of physical case packages including files and glass slides, using case package icons that are associated with said files and said slides and are manipulatable by the user input; wherein manipulation of the case package icons includes changeably categorizing the case packages to define piles by selecting and grouping icons resembling files and icons resembling slides; wherein manipulation of the case package icons includes changeably categorizing the slides, by altering at least one of a size, shape, color parameter, orientation and location of associated icons; wherein the digital processor is programmed to present the image data to the user on a display controlled according to the user input to emulate controls of an optical microscope. a source of digital image data representing images (124, 126) of the specimens to a predetermined magnification; an image database containing memory for storing the digital image data and associated data relating to the image data; a workflow database containing memory for storing case management data (240, 242, 244, 246) including data input by the pathologist and associated with the specimens; a computer workstation comprising at least one digital processor coupled to the image database and to the workflow database, the processor being operable under control of a user to obtain and display selected ones of the images (124, 126) for review, to accept user input by the pathologist relating to the examination of the specimens by the pathologist and to record in at least one of the image database and the workflow database information resulting from the user input; wherein the handling comprises steps in a predetermined sequence for viewing mounted tissue samples associated with patient case files for review by a pathologist as digital images of one or more tissue samples and specimen slides, wherein each said specimen slide corresponds to plural image views in the image database for at least one of diverse locations on the slide and diverse levels of magnification; characterized in that the digital processor is programmed, in conjunction with display of the image data, to present to the user a display based on the case management data in the workflow database, said display based on the case management data comprising visual representations emulating contents of physical case packages including files and glass slides, using case package icons that are associated with said files and said slides and are manipulatable by the user input; wherein manipulation of the case package icons includes changeably categorizing the case packages to define piles by selecting and grouping icons resembling files and icons resembling slides; wherein manipulation of the case package icons includes changeably categorizing the slides, by altering at least one of a size, shape, color parameter, orientation and location of associated icons; wherein the digital processor is programmed to present the image data to the user on a display controlled according to the user input to emulate controls of an optical microscope.