By using the counterflow technique, the burning velocities and lean extinction stretch rates of premixed. prevaporized and preheated benzene/air mixtures were determined for the adiabatic limit. as well as for the sub- and superadiabatic situations characterized hy downstream heat loss/gain. Values of laminar burning velocities are obtained at atmospheric pressure and elevated temperatures. Flame stretch, in the presence of substantial diffusional imbalance due to the relatively small mass diffusivity of benzene, was found to have a strong effect on the burning velocity. Downstream beat loss was also shown to have some measurable influence, and the effect in terms of the fuel concentration for the lean extinction states can be substantial. The results will be of use in the simulation of engine combustion utilizing fuel blends with substantial aromatic contents, and the modeling of the flame kinetics of aromatic fuels.