Recent　success　in　discrete　cosine　transform(DCT)　image　coding　is　mainly　attributed　to　recognition　of　the　importance　of　data　organization　and　representation.　In　this　paper,　we　proposed　an　embedded　image　coder　based　on　quadtree　set　partition　in　DCT　domain　(EZDCT)　which　is　suitable　for　many　kinds　of　DCT　coefficients　reorganization　schemes.　The　experimental　results　show　that　it　is　among　the　state-of-the-art　DCT-based　image　coders　when　compared　with　the　famous　DCT-based　image　coders,　such　as　EZDCT　and　MRDCT.　For　example,　for　the　Barbara　image,　EQDCT　outperforms　JPEC　EZDCT　and　MRDCT　by　3.3,1.71,1.70dB　in　peak-signal-to-noise　ratio　at　0.25bpp,　respectively.