The problem of (adaptive stabilization by means of output feedback of a class of nonlinear systems is addressed and solved. The proposed method relies on the asymptotic reconstruction of a stabilizing state feedback control law, does not require stable zero dynamics nor the construction of a Lyapunov function for the closed loop system, and treats in a unified way unknown parameters and unmeasured states. The applicability of the proposed method is discussed via theoretical examples. Finally, it is shown that the proposed method yields a solution to the problem of output feedback regulation for a DC-to-DC power converter and the efficacy of the resulting controller is verified via experiments. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.