The rates of oxidation with chromic acid of 15 bi- and polycyclic secondary alcohols have been measured and correlated with strain changes calculated by the MM1-program between the alcohols and the corresponding ketones. A correlation of the same quality is obtained upon representation of OH-strain by CH₃-strain. The significance of the correlations with respect to the oxidation mechanism as well as the limitations of the applicability of force-field calculations to reactivity problems are discussed.