Sulphate labelled proteoglycans (PG) synthesized by cultured human arterial smooth muscle cell have been quantified using an improved method based on a combination of specific enzymes and ethanol precipitation. 2. The present method gives quantitative data of PGs and subclasses allowing batchwise analysis of a large number of samples. 3. Approximately 81% +/- 1.7% (mean +/- SD, n = 6) of total PGs synthesized by human arterial smooth muscle cells accumulated in medium. 4. In cell layer and medium chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan constituted 65.0% +/- 0.3% and 75.8% +/- 0.7% (mean +/- SD, n = 3), respectively of sulphated PGs. 5. Heparan sulphate proteoglycan accounted for 26.8% +/- 0.6% in cell layer and 22.6% +/- 0.5% (mean +/- SD, n = 3) in medium of sulphated PGs.