Optical properties of a ZnSe/MgS superlattice (SL) were studied by reflection and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopies. Excitonic structures were clearly observed in the reflection spectra up to room temperature, and the exciton absorption peak energy and linewidth were well coincident with the PL peak energy and linewidth. The origin of the lowest luminescence peak was indicated to be C1-HH1 exciton up to room temperature. The lineshape broadening due to longitudinal-optical-phonon scattering of excitons is much decreased in this SL compared to bulk ZnSe. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.