(Liquid + liquid) equilibrium (LLE) data of the solubility curves and tie-line end compositions are presented for mixtures of {water (1) + tetrahydrofuran (2) + xylene or chlorobenzene or benzyl ether (3)} at T = 298.2 K and P = (101.3 +/- 0.7) kPa. Among the studied C6 ring-containing aromatic solvents, xylene gives the largest distribution ratio and separation factors for extraction of tetrahydrofuran. A solvation energy relation (SERLAS) has been used to estimate the (liquid + liquid) equilibria of associated systems containing a nonprotic solvent. The tie-lines were also predicted using the UNIFAC-original model. The reliability of both models has been analyzed against the LLE data with respect to the distribution ratio and separation factor. SERLAS matches LLE data accurately, yielding a mean error of 9.9% for all the systems considered. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.