The kinematics of the Loop Current are studied using trajectories of drifters in the Gulf of Mexico during mid-June through September 1985. One of the drifters was in the Loop Current proper, while other drifters were in two recently shed Loop Current rings. The drifter in the Loop Current showed strong anticyclonic motion during the study period. This Loop Current anticyclone first began off the northwest coast of Cuba. It rapidly moved northward into the Gulf of Mexico as a ring pinched off from the Loop Current. Analysis of the Loop Current drifter motion showed that the anticyclone became an integral part of the Loop Current, taking on many of the characteristics of the most recently shed ring. The results of the analysis suggest a process by which Loop Current rings can be generated. Apparently, this mechanism can cause the Loop Current to become reconfigured in 2--3 months for beginning the process of ring separation. ¿ American Geophysical Union 1987