Two major ideas in the analysis of missing data are (a) the EM algorithm
[Dempster, Laird and Rubin, J. Roy. Statist. Soc. Ser. B 39 (1977) 1--38] for
maximum likelihood (ML) estimation, and (b) the formulation of models for the
joint distribution of the data ${Z}$ and missing data indicators ${M}$, and
associated "missing at random"; (MAR) condition under which a model for ${M}$
is unnecessary [Rubin, Biometrika 63 (1976) 581--592].
We consider a class of doubly weighted rank-based estimating methods for the
transformation (or accelerated failure time) model with missing data as arise,
for example, in case-cohort studies. The weights considered may not be
predictable as required in a martingale stochastic process formulation. We
treat the general problem as a semiparametric estimating equation problem and
provide proofs of asymptotic properties for the weighted estimators, with
either true weights or estimated weights, by using empirical process theory
where martingale theory may fail.