Analysis of advanced very high resolution radiometer satellite images has shown long-period fluctuations in ring eccentricity for 82-B. Concurrent shipboard measurements as well as satellite data also suggest that this anticyclonic ring was often paired with one or more cyclonic eddies. Furthermore, satellite image analysis and recent numerical simulations suggest strong deformation in the fluid between the anticyclone and the cyclone. The purpose here is to investigate a causal relation between the time dependent environmental deformation and the eccentricity fluctuations. To this end, we attempt to parameterize the effects of the cyclone as environmental forcing on the anticyclone using a nonlinear, non-quasi-geostrophic, hydrodynamic lens model. Our results suggest that the strong deformation in the environmental flow could be responsible for long-period fluctuations in eccentricity. Other model ring features, such as spin (vorticity/2) and rotation rate of 82-B, are discussed and compared to observations. Another significant feature of the model results is the presence of superinertial frequencies in the solution fields. Since current mesoscale observation techniques are unable to resolve such high frequencies, it is unknown whether or not this result is realistic. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1995