Continuous-wave operation in wide-gap II-VI semiconductor current injection laser diodes at room temperature has been demonstrated for the first time. Stimulated emission was observed at a wavelength of 523.5 nm with a threshold current of 45 mA (1.4 kA/cm2) from ZnCdSe/ZnSe/ZnMgSSe single-quantum-well (SQW) separate-confinement heterostructure (SCH) laser diodes.