--- /cygdrive/c/fopdiff/fop-0.20.4/src/org/apache/fop/fo/flow/Block.java	2002-07-05 15:06:18.000000000 -0400
+++ ./Block.java	2002-11-27 15:49:23.000000000 -0500
@@ -58,12 +58,15 @@
 
     int areaHeight = 0;
     int contentWidth = 0;
+    int infLoopThreshhold = 50;
 
     String id;
     int span;
 
     // this may be helpful on other FOs too
     boolean anythingLaidOut = false;
+    //Added to see how long it's been since nothing was laid out.
+    int noLayoutCount = 0;
 
     public Block(FObj parent, PropertyList propertyList)
         throws FOPException {
@@ -77,6 +80,14 @@
     public Status layout(Area area) throws FOPException {
         BlockArea blockArea;
 
+        if (!anythingLaidOut) {
+            noLayoutCount++;
+        }
+        if (noLayoutCount > infLoopThreshhold) {
+            throw new FOPException(
+                "No meaningful layout in block after many attempts.  "+
+                "Infinite loop is assumed.  Processing halted.");
+        }
         // log.error(" b:LAY[" + marker + "] ");