A comparison of the accuracy, precision, and detection limits of two methods for determining the concentrations of haloacetic acids and chlorophenols in drinking water is presented. Both methods consist of liquid-liquid extraction of the water sample with methyl-tertiary-butyl ether, diazomethane derivatization of the extracts, and analysis by gas chromatography (GC) with electron capture detection. Method 552, developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency, and a microextraction method, developed by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, gave comparable precision and method detection limits in fortified reagent water and the drinking water samples examined in this study. The microextraction method provided greater accuracy in routine applications because of the use of procedural standards for GC calibration. Because the microextraction method is also less labor-intensive, it is preferred in most drinking water applications. Includes 16 references, tables.