A figure-eight fiber optic drop cable includes a messenger section and a carrier section connected by a web. The carrier section has at least one optical waveguide and at least one roving. In one embodiment, the carrier section has an average shrinkage of about 0.5% or less when separated from the messenger section during an average shrinkage test. Also the carrier section of the figure-eight fiber optic drop cable can have an average coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) section after being separated from the messenger section of about 5.010^-3%/ C. or less for preserving optical performance. Furthermore, a maximum delta attenuation of the at least one optical waveguide during thermal cycling may be about 0.3 dB/20 meters or less at a reference wavelength of about 1550 nm at a temperature of about -40 C. Other cable configurations are also possible with the invention.