EN
Self-focusing of laser beams is observed in Cd_{0.5}Mn_{0.5}Te at room temperature. The far-field patterns of laser beam after passing through the cadmium manganese telluride crystal are investigated. The values of focal length as well as the absorption coefficient were measured as a function of intensity of laser radiation. From these measurements the values of nonlinear refractive index for Cd_{0.5}Mn_{0.5}Te are determined. The results indicate that the self-focusing observed in Cd_{1-x}Mn_{x}Te is due to a thermally induced change in refractive index.