An automated flame coherent forward‐scattering (CFS) spectrometer with a xenon high‐pressure lamp has been constructed for fast sequential multielement analysis. To improve detection limits an on‐axis multipass mirror system is used and, in addition, the light intensity is detected by the photon counting technique. The spectrometer is operated by a menu oriented program. Computer controlled functions, interfacing, data acquisition, and handling as well as analytical modes are described. Nonlinear analytical curves are used for evaluation and for calculating the detection limits and the analytical working range. The detection limits of the analytical system are compared with those of other CFS, AAS, and AES spectrometers. Even with a continuum light source, which allows fast sequential multielement capability, the detection limits are lower than those reported for flame CFS before. Analytical results obtained for drinking water samples are compared to measurements with flame AAS. ©1995 American Institute of Physics.