A generalization of the Routh method of reduction is introduced for obtaining stable reduced order models. The reduced models may be ‘ biased ’ in the sense that they may approximate the initial transient response of the high order system more closely than the steady-state response, and vice-versa. Given the desired order of the reduced model, the method of this paper produces a number of stable reduced models which approximate the high order system. The method is easily extended to multi-variable systems. Examples are given to illustrate the method and to make comparisons with other methods of reduction.