We describe a set of solar coronal mass ejection (CME) events where coincident data sets from both X ray and white light instruments have been made available through deliberate planning. Using these we have been able to put tight limits on possible descriptions of the typical sequence of events, and these we relate to interpretations of models involving flares and CMEs. Our findings confirm recent suggestions that CME onsets precede any related flare activity and that the associated flaring commonly lies to one side of the CME span. The CME launch appears to be associated with minor X ray (flare precursor) activity. Although this scenario has been previously discussed (see Harrison, 1986, and references therein), the abundance of flare and CME models which are not compatible with this picture demands that confirmation be sought using programs such as this. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1990