A comparison of field dependences of the meridional Kerr effect and magnetization leads to the conclusion that a noncollinear inhomogeneous magnetic state is formed in the surface layer of gadolinium in multilayered Gd/Fe films in a magnetic field. Experimental results are described by using a theoretical model predicting the formation of a noncollinear spin configuration in the surface Gd layer as a result of a spin-reorientation phase transition induced by the magnetic field. ©1997 American Institute of Physics.