This invention pertains to a process for making .alpha.-methylene-.gamma.-butyrolactone by acid-catalyzed rearrangement of tetrahydro-3-furoic acid. In a further embodiment, when tetrahydro-3-furoic acid is treated with acetic anhydride and an acid catalyst, .alpha.-acetoxymethyl-.gamma.-butyrolactone is produced in high yield. Under basic conditions, .alpha.-acetoxymethyl-.gamma.-butyrolactone can readily form.alpha.-methylene-.gamma.-butyrolactone by the elimination of acetic acid. These reactions provide .alpha.-methylene-.gamma.-butyrolactone by novel routes which do not require butyrolactone or formaldehyde.