Techniques for sending multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) transmissions in wireless communication systems are described. In one design, a transmitter sends a first reference signal via a first link, e.g., a cell-specific reference signal via the downlink. The transmitter receives channel quality indicator (CQI) information determined by a receiver based on the first reference signal. The transmitter also receives a second reference signal from the receiver via a second link, e.g., a sounding reference signal via the uplink. The transmitter obtains at least one MIMO channel matrix for the first link based on the second reference signal. The transmitter determines at least one precoding matrix based on the at least one MIMO channel matrix, e.g., in accordance with ideal eigen-beamforming or pseudo eigen-beamforming. The transmitter then sends a data transmission to the receiver based on the at least one precoding matrix and the CQI information.