As x increases from 0.05 to 0. 10, the Curie temperature T-C of polycrystalline perovskites La0.80-xCa0.20SrxMnO3 increases from 264 to 310K, near room temperature. The adiabatic temperature change DeltaT(ad) resulting from the magnetocaloric effect in these materials was measured directly. DeltaT(ad) reaches its peak around T-C. Corresponding to x = 0.05, 0.08, and 0.10, the maximum value of DeltaT(ad) of La0.80-xCa0.20SrxMnO3 induced by a magnetic field change of 1.92T was 1.33, 1.48, and 1.51 K, respectively. DeltaT(ad) of La0.80-xCa0.20SrxMnO3 (x = 0.05, 0.08, 0.10) induced by a magnetic field change of 1.79 T is larger than I K in a temperature range of about 10 K. These results suggest that La0.80-xCa0.20SrxMnO3 is a potential material for magnetic refrigeration near room temperature. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.