A method for frequency selective and slice selective magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is provided. A B.sub.0 field is applied. A self-refocused spatial-spectral (SPSP) RF pulse is applied. A readout of a portion of k-space for the excited slice is performed. A second self-refocused SPSP excitation RF pulse is applied, wherein the second self-refocused SPSP excitation has an 180.degree. echo phase difference from the self-refocused SPSP excitation. A second readout of a portion of k-space for the excited slice was performed. A difference between the readout and the second readout was found. The previous steps were repeated until k-space has been filled for the excited slice. The previous steps were repeated for a plurality of slices.