1. A method of MR imaging using fractional MRI acquisitions to reduce total acquisition time comprising the steps of: initiating an MRI scan to acquire MRI data; acquiring a partial MRI k.sub.x data set in k-space along a k.sub.x direction, the partial MRI k.sub.x data set containing less than 100% of k.sub.x direction data but more than 50% of k.sub.x direction data; acquiring a partial MRI k.sub.y data set in k-space along a k.sub.y direction, the partial MRI k.sub.y data set containing less than 100% of k.sub.x direction data but more than 50% of k.sub.y direction data; and reconstructing an MR image using the partial MRI k.sub.x data set and the partial MRI k.sub.y data set.