In LIF (laser-induced fluorescence) excitation and hole-burning spectra of a merocyanine dye, EtMD, in a supersonic jet, bands due to one of the four possible isomers were observed. Only lower-frequency vibronic bands were observed in the LIF-excitation spectra, while broad and deep dips were observed in the higher energy region of the hole-burning spectra where no LIF bands were observed. The LIF bands were found to consist of two transition systems, which are presumably due to the molecules in the ground and low-lying excited vibrational states. Possible relaxation processes of EtMD in the excited electronic state were discussed. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.