DETECTION OF CO EMISSION IN THE ELLIPTIC GALAXIES NGC-3265 AND NGC-5666

From observations of seven elliptical galaxies selected by the strength of their far-infrared (FIR) fluxes, we report the detection of CO (2 --> 1) in the central regions of NGC 3265 and NGC 5666, classified as E4 and Ec, respectively. Observed with the FWHM beam of 17" of the IRAM telescope, the CO radial velocities and line widths agree well with H I spectra emitted from a much more extended region, cause partly by rigid rotation in their nuclear regions but also implying a contribution from extensive noncircular motions in the interstellar gas. The shapes of the CO profiles indicate velocity structure within the beam. The observational ratios of CO/H I fluxes are similar to those found in early-type galaxies. The data also imply H-2 masses of 1.7 x 10(8) and 3.8 x 10(8) M. for the central regions of NGC 3265 and NGC 5666, respectively, giving for those regions H-2/H I mass ratios of approximately 3 that are comparable to what is observed for the inner region of the Milky Way.