A region of interest coding method based on the SPIHT algorithm, in which more bits are allocated with respect to a region of interest to quickly compress and restore an image, is provided. The region of interest coding method is applied to a multiple resolution coding operation. In the coding method, an image is coded using the SPIHT algorithm before a region of interest is set. When a region of interest is defined based on a region of interest mask and a parent mask, coefficients are coded with respect to a bit plane defined by a user, and a compensation coding operation is performed with respect to coefficients not related with the region of interest. The coding operation is performed based on the SPIHT algorithm by the amount of bits permitted in the bit plane of the remaining coefficients. Therefore, it is possible to implement compression and restoration of various images.