The polarization dependence of the laser induced fluorescence and absorption was investigated for single tetracene molecules embedded in He-4 droplets having (N) over bar (4) = 3 x 10(3)-3 x 10(5) atoms. The measurements revealed an increase in the intensity up to 20% in the spectra, when the laser polarization vector was aligned parallel to the direction of the droplet beam as compared to the perpendicular alignment. This observation suggests a spontaneous alignment of the molecules in the laboratory frame. A mechanism of the molecular alignment in the pick-up process is proposed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.