In2O3 nanowires were prepared by carbothermal reduction reaction between indium oxide and active carbon at 1000 degreesC in flowing nitrogen atmosphere. In2O3 sensors were fabricated from In2O3 nanowires and their gas sensing properties were investigated. It was found that the sensors based on In2O3 nanowires exhibited the best performance, characterized by high response, good selectivity and very short response time to dilute C2H5OH, making them to be promising candidates for practical detectors for dilute C2H5OH. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.