| 1 | Heike Drechsler | GDR | 23,21 | Q |
| 2 | Alice Jackson | USA | 23,82 | Q |
| 3 | Daniela Ferrian | ITA | 24,37 | q |
| 4 | Yanet Montas | DOM | 25,91 | |
| Selmi Keamel | ALG | DNS | ||
| Regina Nigba | LBR | DNS |
| 1 | Els Vader | NED | 23,87 | Q | |
| 2 | Rufina Uba | NGR | 24,71 | Q | |
| 3 | Diane Dunrod | SKN | 25,28 | NR | |
| 4 | Joyce Odhiambo | KEN | 25,30 | NR | |
| 5 | Oliver Acii | UGA | 26,24 | NR | |
| Anelia Nuneva | BUL | DNF |
| 1 | Merlene Ottey-Page | JAM | 23,63 | Q | |
| 2 | Mary Onyali | NGR | 23,77 | Q | |
| 3 | Blanca Lacambra | ESP | 24,13 | q | |
| 4 | Norfalia Carabali | COL | 24,85 | q | |
| 5 | Svanhildur Kristjonsdottir | ISL | 25,27 | ||
| 6 | Christa Schumann | GUA | 25,38 | NR |
| 1 | Marie Christin Cazier | FRA | 23,80 | Q | |
| 2 | Angela Phipps | CAN | 23,81 | Q | |
| 3 | Grace Jackson | JAM | 24,12 | q | |
| 4 | Cecilia Nunez | PAN | 24,89 | NR | |
| 5 | Ana M. Luzio | BOL | 28,92 | NR | |
| Esther Kavaya | KEN | DNS |