The multivariate statistical analysis methods, using both multiple linear regression(MLR) and partial least square(PLS), have been applied to predict the reactor properties and the product quality of a direct esterification reactor for polyethylene terephthalate(PET) synthesis. On the basis of the set of data including the flow rate of water vapor, the flow rate of EG vapor, the concentration of acid end groups of a product and other operating conditions such as temperature, pressure, reaction times and feed monomer mole ratio, two multi-variable analysis methods have been applied. Their regression and prediction abilities also have been compared. The prediction results are critically compared with the actual plant data and the other mathematical model based results in reliability. This paper shows that PLS method approach can be used for the reasonably accurate prediction of a product quality of a direct esterification reactor in PET synthesis process.