A method, complete with error analysis, is given for determining the absorption coefficient for ultrasonic pulses (alpha) and the loss at the mirror and crystal (gamma) as a function of pressure. Results of the analysis are presented for distilled water as well as n-propanol. An expression for the pressure-dependent mirror-crystal loss is derived and checked against the experimental values obtained. In addition, a second method, which uses the expression for gamma, is discussed which enables one to obtain the absorption coefficient more directly from fewer measurements. (Author).