Elliot Jacoby is a corporate video director in mid-life crisis who lies to his clingy girl friend about having leukemia in order to avoid a permanent commitment. But he realizes the lie has spread faster than the phantom disease when a cancer research company, hearing about his "terminal" condition, hires him to write and direct their centennial video. They also want him to make appearances on TV and at charitable events as part of a public relations campaign. Knowing that revealing the truth would destroy his career, he reluctantly agrees. Life becomes even more complicated when Elliot falls in love with Sandra, the company's communications director.

Believing there's no future with the "dying" Elliot, Sandra tries to avoid becoming involved with him, but she cannot deny her feelings. He, however , is unable to consummate their love knowing that his whole relationship with her is based on a lie. The relationship suffers even more trauma when a car accident puts Elliot into a coma. In the hospital Sandra learns he never had cancer and, furious for being played the fool, she stalks out of the ICU and his life.

Days later Elliot comes out of his coma, and is confronted by a doctor who, reviewing the results of tests performed while Elliot was comatose, confirms the presence of a terminal cancer. Stunned that God would play such a cosmic joke on him, Elliot knows he must put his life in order, open his heart to Sandra and tell her the cancer he invented has become a reality.

When Sandra sees his new found honesty she is sure their love can now have a fresh start.

But not before telling Elliot she hired an actor to play the role of the doctor who confirmed the presence of the cancer.