This　paper　proposes　a　scheme　for　generating　arbitrary　superpositions　of　several　coherent　states　along　a　straight　line　for　a　cavity　mode.　In　the　scheme,　several　atoms　are　sent　through　a　cavity　initially　in　a　strong　coherent　state.　The　superposition　of　several　coherent　states　with　desired　coefficients　may　be　generated　if　each　atom　is　detected　in　the　excited　state　after　it　exits　the　cavity.　The　scheme　is　based　on　resonant　atom　-　cavity　interaction　and　no　classical　field　is　required　during　and　after　the　atom　-　cavity　interaction.　Thus,　the　scheme　is　very　simple　and　the　interaction　time　is　very　short,　which　is　important　in　view　of　decoherence.　©　2010　Chinese　Physical　Society　and　IOP　Publishing　Ltd.