The absorption spectra, fluorescence spectrum and fluorescence decay curve of Nd3+ ions in anisotropic monoclinic crystal La-2(WO4)(3) were measured at room temperature. Taking the optical anisotropism into account, the spectroscopic parameters, such as intensity parameters Omega(t) (t = 2,4,6), spontaneous emission probability, fluorescence branching ratio, radiative lifetime and fluorescence quantum efficiency were obtained by the Judd-Ofelt theory. The stimulated emission cross-section at 1058 nm wavelength was calculated to be 1.12 x 10(-19) cm(2). The good spectroscopic properties show that the Nd3+:La-2(WO4)(3) crystal is a good candidate of solid-state laser and self-stimulated Raman laser media. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.