Small angle physics at CDF

In 1989 CDF collected data in special high beta runs with a trigger selecting elastic and inelastic events in order to measure the total cross section (σtot) and the differential elastic cross section (dσel/dt). Data were taken at cms energies of 300, 540, 1000 and 1800 GeV. A double arm magnetic spectrometer located along the beam pipe tags the particles scattered at very small angles and tracking detectors surrounding the interaction point reveal particles produced at larger angles. We discuss the status of the analysis of elastic and inelastic events with emphasis on the event selection and the background subtraction. 5 refs., 14 figs., 3 tabs