It is shown that for generation of infrared radiation by stimulated Raman scattering, the diffraction spread of the Stokes wave can have a significant effect on the threshold. Compared with an analysis in which gain focussing is neglected, the threshold powers may be much higher with a corresponding reduction in tuning range. The design of a Raman oscillator is considerably influenced by these diffraction effects, and also it is found that the Stokes wave is subject to frequency-pulling which is dependent on the pump power