The ignition delay times for mixtures of pyrrole and oxygen and pyridine and oxygen were measured behind reflected shock waves, using argon as a diluent. Ignition delay times, defined with respect to pressure rise, were measured for mixtures comprising of 0.5-1.0% fuel and 1.5-14.5% oxygen, between 200 and 560 kPa within the temperature regime of 1100-1800 K. Results for the ignition times for the compounds studied can be fitted to the following global regression equations (times in s, concentrations in Mol cm(-3)):t = 10(-12.8)exp(17,510/T-5)[Pyrrole](0.59)[O-2](-1.32)[Ar](-0.02)t = 10(-13.0)exp(18,250/T-5)[Pyridine](0.31)[O-2](-1.00)[Ar](0.04)The results for these high temperature oxidation experiments are discussed in relation to the thermal decomposition of these compounds as well as being compared and contrasted with previous benzene ignition studies. (C) 2003 The Combustion Institute. All rights reserved.