A modified rapid microprocedure for the determination of VE in serum, was described. VE reduced Fe3+ to Fe2+ and then the Fe2+ combined with bathophenanthroline to form a pink complex -which could be determined spect-rophotometrically. As little as 0.3ml (or 0.2ml) of serum or plasma sample was sufficient for determination. The reproducibility of this method was good. The CV was 4.1% (n=15). The recoveries of added VE (0.8, 0.2 and 1.6 mg/dl) were 86.3-102.5%. The mean value and SD of 99 normal adults were 1.15+ 0.31mg/dl. This spectrophotometric method was simple and could be used in common, laboratories. Some affecting frctors were discussed.