The first electronic spectrum of the alpha,alpha-difluoroethyl radical (CF2CH3) was observed between 335 and 475 nm by resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI) spectroscopy. The spectrum arises from two-photon resonances with a 3p Rydberg state. A third laser photon ionized the radicals. The electronic origin is tentatively assigned at nu(00) = 43 275 cm(-1), and the vibrational progression is assigned as the nu(9)’(CF2 wag) = 530 cm(-1). In support of these spectral assignments, we report ab initio calculations at the MP2/6-31G*, G1, and G2 theory levels which found the optimum structures, vibrational frequencies, and relative energies of CF2CH3, CF2CH3+, CHF2CH2, and CHF2CH2+.