An image filing system has first and second image storage devices and a retrieval data storage device. Image data representing a plurality of images are stored in the first image storage device, and retrieval data corresponding to the image data are stored in the retrieval data storage device. Desired image data are specified according to the corresponding retrieval data, and retrieved from the first image storage device and outputted to the second erasable random-access image storage device. Link information which indicates other image data related to the specified image data is added to the retrieval data. When desired image data are specified according to the corresponding retrieval data and retrieved and outputted to the second image storage device, the other image data related to the desired identified image data can quickly and efficiently be retrieved according to the link information.