This report, which consists of data only, documents the continuing effort at the US Department of Energy/Morgantown Energy Technology Center (METC) develop a hot gas desulfurization (HGD) process for coal-derived gas. Previous reports have documented the testing of metal oxide sorbents on lab-scale test equipment. These tests were supported by thermodynamic calculations to determine the equilibrium levels of H/sub 2/S attainable with metal oxide sorbents at high temperatures. Early testing of iron oxide and zinc oxide sorbents led to the development of a zinc ferrite (ZnFe/sub 2/O/sub 4/) sorbent. Zinc ferrite was shown to be regenerable and capable of lowering the sulfur level in hot (1000 to 1200/sup 0/F) coal derived gas to less than 10 ppM. A skid-mounted test unit was designed, fabricated, and installed on a sidestream of the DOE/METC fixed bed gasifier. Four series of tests were conducted during four gasifier runs between June 1983 and December 1983. The zinc ferrite based hot gas desulfurization process was on stream a total of 341 hours during 13 sulfidations. Nine regenerations were also conducted, adding an additional 169 hours to the total run time. The fixed bed gasifier supplying gas to the hot gas desulfurization test unit was fed various coals during these tests. Oxidant to the gasifier was air for the most part, but there were periods of oxygen blown operation. Performance of the Zinc Ferrite Hot Gas Desulfurization Test Unit was generally good. Sulfur levels in the coal gas was generally lowered below 10 ppM. Some carbon deposition was experienced in the HGD reactor. However, this was removed during regeneration. Due to variations in gasifier operating conditions and HGD operating conditions, long-term operating characteristics were not determined. 15 references, 7 figures, 5 tables.