The resting cells of a new isolate of Rhodococcus erythropolis FSD-2 were used to desulfurize diesel fuels. About 97% of the total sulfur content in the hydrodesulfurized diesel was removed by the two consecutive biodesulfurization (BDS) processes with the majority (similar to 94%) being removed in the first treatment, resulting in diesel with a sulfur content of 5.7 mu g ml(-1).