We study the interaction of three modes in phi((2)) media in the class
ical as well as in the quantum picture. We show that it is possible to
distinguish two basic forms of phase-space motion depending on the va
lue of the integral of motion Gamma in the classical formulation or th
e (initial) mean value of the interaction Hamiltonian in the quantum f
ormulation. The quantum and classical pictures are compared using a si
mulation of the Husimi Q function via classical trajectories for an en
semble of phase-space points. The very good correspondence between the
two pictures is shown to last for a significant interaction time and
can be investigated for arbitrary initial intensities.