The Doppler-limited absorption spectrum of the C-H stretching region of ethane has been recorded at T 119 K with a tunable difference-frequency laser spectrometer. The strong torsional hot band structure at room temperature is eliminated at 119 K, and the enhanced resolution from the Doppler width reduction allows us to observe small torsional splittings. The two fundamentals in the region, v., a perpendicular band and, v , a parallel band have been essentially completely assigned as have a large number of transitions in the parallel component of the v8 + V11 combination band. A number of perturbations of both global and local nature have been observed. The complete spectrum and a listing of transition wavenumbers, intensities and assignments are presented here to facilitate identification and quantitative analysis of ethane in a variety of monitoring applications. Precise ground state rotational constants have been determined from combination differences.