The formation enthalpies of Cd-Ga-Sn, In-Sn-Zn, Cd-Ga-In-Sn, Ga-In-Sn-Zn and Cd-Ga-In-Sn-Zn liquid alloys are calculated by molecular interaction volume model (MIVM), which only using the limiting partial enthalpies of binary systems and the coordination numbers of the constituent elements in liquid alloys. The predicted values are compared with the experimental data and the values calculated using Hoch-Arpshofen model, which indicate that the model is reliable and convenient. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.