An alternative method for reconstruction of three-dimensional momentum density from directional Compton profiles is proposed and successfully applied to theoretical data on magnesium oxide (with a random noise added). The method consists of obtaining a compact analytical model for the reconstructed (Formula presented) from the least-squares fit directly on the directional profiles. The result is compared, together with a standard numerical-based reconstruction, to the theoretical momentum density from which the profiles were calculated. © 1999 The American Physical Society.