Using a laser monitoring observation technique, the solubility of abietic acid in (ethanol + water) mixtures was measured by a dynamic method at atmospheric pressure. The solubility of abietic acid increased with an increase of temperature and the concentration of ethanol. Experimental solubility data were correlated by means of the Wilson, NRTL and lambda h equations utilizing parameters derived from the (solid + liquid) equilibrium (SLE) data. The results showed that the three equations are suitable for description of the solubility data of abietic acid in the (ethanol + water) mixtures investigated. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.