The effects of five bronchodilator drugs and two methods of delivery (nebulizer vs metered-dose inhalers) on pulmonary function were studied in ten subjects with stable asthma. All subjects demonstrated statistically significant improvements (p less than 0.05) in pulmonary function relative to baseline and placebo effects after each medication, regardless of method of delivery; however, there was no statistically significant difference between the changes in pulmonary function caused by medication, method, or medication-method combination (p greater than 0.05). The choice of medication and device for delivery would appear to depend on the budget and time available in the laboratory.