Numerical analysis and measurements of the velocity and temperature distributions in buoyancy assisting laminar mixed convection flow over a vertically located, two-dimensional backward-facing step are reported. Laser-Doppler Velocimeter and Constant Temperature Anemometer operated in constant current were used to measure simultaneously the velocity and temperature distributions in the recirculation region downstream of the step. The reattachment length was measured by using flow visualization technique for different inlet velocities, wall temperatures and step heights. While the reattachment length $X_r$ increases as the inlet velocity or step height increase, it decreases as the buoyancy force increases, causing the size of the recirculation region to decrease. For the experimental range of $Gr_s$/$Re_{s}^{2}$$ imes$$10^3$<17, a correlation equation for the reattachment length can be given by $X_{r}=1.05(2.13+0.021 Re_{s})exp$ $(-33.7_s^{-0.186}/Gr_{s}/Re_{s}^2).$ The Nusselt number is found to increase and the location of its maximum value moves closer to the step as the buoyancy force increases. The location of the maximum Nusselt number occurs downstream of the reattachment point, and distance between the reattachment point and the location of the maximum Nusselt mumber increases as the buoyancy force increases. Computational prediction agrees favorably well with measured results.