Poly(methyl methacrylate) samples and their analogs containing covalently bound fullerenes C60 and C70 were prepared under varied synthesis conditions. The molecular weights and the electrooptical characteristics of the polymers in solutions were determined. The influence of the fullerenes on the molecular properties of poly(methyl methacrylate) was elucidated, and the most efficient method of its modification with fullerenes was proposed. © 2005 Pleiades Publishing, Inc.