Epitaxial thin films of lanthanum‐deficient LaxMnO3−&dgr;(0.67≤x≤1) have been grown on (100) SrTiO3substrates by pulsed laser deposition. The as‐deposited films exhibit a ferromagnetic transition at temperatures ranging from 115 to 240 K, with the transition temperature (Tc) increasing with higher La deficiency. A sharp drop in resistivity and negative magnetoresistance is observed close toTc, a behavior similar to that observed in divalent substituted La1−xMxMnO3−&dgr;(M=Ba, Sr, Ca, Pb) films. Postannealing the films in O2reduces the resistivity and raises theTcto values close to room temperature. A magnetoresistance value of 130% (&Dgr;&rgr;/&rgr;H) has been obtained at 300 K at 4 T for a post‐annealed film withx=0.75. ©1995 American Institute of Physics.