  In this paper the N-S asymmetry of the soft X-ray flare index during the
solar cycles 21, 22 and 23 has been analyzed. The results show the existence of
a real N-S asymmetry which is strengthened during solar minimum. The slope of
the regression lines fitted to the daily values of asymmetry time series has
been found to be negative in all the three cycles. The yearly asymmetry curve
can be fitted by a sinusoidal function with a period of eleven years. The power
spectral analysis of daily asymmetry time series reveals the significant
periods of around 28.26 days, 550.73 days and 3.72 years.
