The O/W microemulsion systems were made from 2 or 4% (w/w) oil (soybean oil, olive oil or isopropyl myristate) and 10, 15 or 20% (w/w) Brij 96. They were compared with micellar solution of equivalent surfactant concentration m therms of physicochemical properties, and the solubilization of sudan IV. They were characterized by dynamic light scattering, stability, surface tension, viscosity and rheogram. The mean diameters of O/W microemulsion systems were 10-15nm, and those of Brij 96 micellar solutions were 18-19 nm. Both of them were monodisperse systems. The O/W microemulsion systems showed Newtonian flow and their apparent viscosities were lower than those of micellar solutions. The surface tensions of O/W microemulsion systems were increased or decreased depending on the types of oil used, when compared with those of micellar solutions. The O/W microemulsion systems were very stable, and did not show any flocculation or aggregation. Their mean diameters were not changed after three months. But oxidation was observed in microemulsions without nitrogen gas at high temperature. There was a significant improvement in the sudan IV solubffimtion in micromulsion compared with that m the micellar solution containing equivalent concentration of surfactant. The size distribution and mean diameters of O/W micromulsions were not changed when sudan IV was solubilized.