Homopolymers P1 and P3 were prepared by free radical polymerization reactions of 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-2-acrylamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-glucopyranose monomer (M1) and 1,2:3,4-di-O-isopropylidene-6-O-acryloyl-alpha-D-galactopyranose monomer (M2), respectively. Both monomers were also copolymerized at two different (M1/M2) feed ratios (1:1, and 3:1) to yield P4 and P5, respectively. The free radical polymerization reactions were carried out in a mixed solvent system under either nitrogen atmosphere or vacuum at 60 degrees C using AIBN as free radical initiator. P1 was deacetylated to P2, while P4 was first deacetylated to P6 and then deacetonated to hydrophilic P7. The new poly(vinylsaccharides) were characterized by elemental analysis, DSC, GPC, and FT IR, H-1-and C-13-NMR spectroscopies. Inherent viscosities and specific optical rotations were also recorded. Some preliminary rheological studies have demonstrated that the hydrophobic, non-swelling acrylic polymer P4 seems to be a good substrate for employment as matrix-forming material for controlled release tablets as drug delivery systems.