THE STELLAR OXYGEN ABUNDANCE GRADIENT IN M33

We report here first results concerning stellar oxygen abundances in M 33. Non-LTE model atmosphere and non-LTE line formation calculations w ere used to determine the oxygen abundance of B-type supergiants. By c hoosing stars located at different projected radial distances to the c enter of M33, we are able to determine the oxygen abundance gradient, for which we obtain a value of -0.16 +/- 0.06 dex kpc(-1). This is the first time that the oxygen stellar abundance gradient has been determ ined in a spiral galaxy other than the Milky Way.