Provided are a method and apparatus for transmitting reference signals in a wireless communication system. A first set of reference signals and a second set of reference signals are generated and mapped to a first resource block (RB) in accordance with a first reference signal pattern and a second RB which is close to the first RB in accordance with a second reference signal pattern. The first RB and the second RB are transmitted from a base station to user equipment. Each of the first reference signal pattern and the second reference signal pattern is formed of one sub-frame and on RB unit. In addition, resource elements (Rs) to which the first set of reference signals and the second set of reference signals are respectively mapped in accordance with the second reference signal pattern are REs to which the second set of reference signals and the first set of reference signals are respectively mapped in accordance with the first reference signal pattern.