This work investigates performances of supported transition-metal oxide catalysts for the catalytic reduction of SO2 with C2H4 as a reducing agent. Experimental results indicate that the active species, the support, the feed ratio of C2H4/SO2, and pretreatment are all important factors affecting catalyst activity. Fe2O3/gamma-Al2O3 was found to be the most active catalyst among six gamma-Al2O3-supported metal oxide catalysts tested. With Fe2O3 as the active species, of the supports tested, CeO2 is the most suitable one. Using this Fe2O3/CeO2 catalyst, we found that the optimal Fe content is 10 wt.%, the optimal feed ratio of C2H4/SO2 is 1:1, and the catalyst presulfidized by H-2 + H2S exhibits a higher performance than those pretreated with H-2 or He. Although the feed concentrations of C2H4:SO2 being 3000:3000 ppm provide a higher conversion of SO2, the sulfur yield decreases drastically at temperatures above 300 degreesC. With higher feed concentrations, maximum yield appears at higher temperatures. The C2H4 temperature-programmed desorption (C2H4-TPD) and SO2-TPD desorption patterns illustrate that Fe2O3/CeO2 can adsorb and desorb C2H4 and SO2 More easily than can Fe2O3/gamma-Al2O3. Moreover, the SO2-TPD patterns further show that Fe2O3/gamma-Al2O3 is more seriously inhibited by SO2. These findings may properly explain why Fe2O3/CeO2 has a higher activity for the reduction of SO2.