The single seed descent (SSD) method of selection has been evaluated in safflower {Carthamus tinctorius L.). The initial population of this study was a BCiF; from a cross between a well adapted and a high oil cultivar. Transgres.sive segregation for yieid and oil content producmg lines with considerably higher values than the better parent was observed in BCiFj and BC^Fj generations. These results and the great saving of time and effort makes the SSD method a very desirable tool for safflower breeders.