Pulmonary ethanol metabolism in the rabbit was investigated in vitro by examining oxidative (alcohol dehydrogenase) and non-oxidative (fatty acid ethyl ester synthase) pathways. Pulmonary alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) activity was very low when measured at close to normal physiological conditions but increased at higher pH, although it was lower than that in the liver. Significant esterification of oleic acid was detected using rabbit lung homogenates, with the rate being intermediate to that of the other tissues examined. The results indicate that oxidative metabolism of ethanol (via ADH) by the rabbit lung is minimal compared to other tissues, but non-oxidative metabolism of ethanol leading to FAEE formation occurs at significant rates that may alter lipid metabolism or membrane composition.