An NMR procedure is described for the quantitative determination of methylsalicylate as a drug entity and in wintergreen oil. For standard mixtures containing the pure drug a mean result of 99.9 + 0.75% w/w was obtained. Analysis of a wintergreen oil sample for its contents of methylsalicylate gave a mean result of 99.2 + 0.17% w/w. The results are compared with those obtained using the official procedure. © 1979 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.