ascii elevation data question

All,
What is the best way to import elevation data that is in the form
of x and y elevation values in an ascii file?
Is r.in.ascii my best bet? I want to make a binary raster file. I
tried using r.in.ascii but the resultant raster seemed to be a blank
screen. Hmm. Well, any advice would be appreciated.

Lewis
lewis@damops.wes.army.mil
lewis@nrc.wes.army.mil