diff --git a/rest_framework/request.py b/rest_framework/request.py
index 39c643219..b7133608a 100644
--- a/rest_framework/request.py
+++ b/rest_framework/request.py
@@ -188,6 +188,14 @@ class Request(object):
             self._user, self._auth = self._authenticate()
         return self._auth
 
+    @auth.setter
+    def auth(self, value):
+        """
+        Sets any non-user authentication information associated with the
+        request, such as an authentication token.
+        """
+        self._auth = value
+
     def _load_data_and_files(self):
         """
         Parses the request content into self.DATA and self.FILES.
diff --git a/rest_framework/tests/request.py b/rest_framework/tests/request.py
index 2eb34ceaa..1f05ff8ff 100644
--- a/rest_framework/tests/request.py
+++ b/rest_framework/tests/request.py
@@ -303,3 +303,11 @@ class TestUserSetter(TestCase):
         self.assertFalse(self.request.user.is_anonymous())
         logout(self.request)
         self.assertTrue(self.request.user.is_anonymous())
+
+
+class TestAuthSetter(TestCase):
+
+    def test_auth_can_be_set(self):
+        request = Request(factory.get('/'))
+        request.auth = 'DUMMY'
+        self.assertEqual(request.auth, 'DUMMY')