Abstract." Amphiphilic lyotropic liquid crystalline surfactants are synthesized displaying 10-undecenoic acid as hydrophobic and ethyleneglycol units as hydrophilic parts of the molecules. By addition reaction of the monomeric surfactants with poly [oxy(methylsilylene)], the surfactants are attached as side chains to the siloxane main chain. The phase behaviour of a polymer-water system and the corresponding monomer-water system is investigated by polarizing microscopy. The monomeric surfactant exhibits a liquid crystalline M 1-phase of hexagonally packed, rod-like micelles in a concentration range of 49 to 70% surfactant. The liquid crystalline state of the polymeric surfactant is more stable, which is indicated by a broader temperature-and concentration range (35%-90% polymer surfactant). At lower concentration a M 1-phase exists, which is separated by a cubic phase from a lamellar G-phase at higher concentration of the polymer surfactant. Compared to the monomeric system, the increased, stability of the polymeric mesophase can be understood by the restriction of motions of the amphiphiles due to the linkage to the polymer main chain.