We calculate the leading-order term of the solution of the focusing nonlinear (cubic) Schrödinger equation (NLS) in the semiclassical limit for a certain one-parameter family of initial conditions. This family contains both solitons and pure radiation. In the pure radiation case, our result is valid for all times t ≥ 0. We utilize the Riemann-Hilbert problem formulation of the inverse scattering problem to obtain the leading-order term of the solution. Error estimates are provided. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.