a b s t r a c tPolycrystalline samples of ternary rare-earth germanides R 2 Co 3 Ge 5 (R ¼ La, Ce and Pr) have been prepared and investigated by means of magnetic susceptibility, isothermal magnetization, electrical resistivity and specific heat measurements. All these compounds crystallize in orthorhombic U 2 Co 3 Si 5 structure (space group Ibam). No evidence of magnetic or superconducting transition is observed in any of these compounds down to 2 K. The unit cell volume of Ce 2 Co 3 Ge 5 deviates from the expected lanthanide contraction, indicating non trivalent state of Ce ions in this compound. The reduced value of effective moment (m eff E0.95 m B ) compared to that expected for trivalent Ce ions further supports valence-fluctuating nature of Ce in Ce 2 Co 3 Ge 5 . The observed temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility is consistent with the ionic interconfiguration fluctuation (ICF) model. Although no sharp anomaly due to a phase transition is seen, a broad Schottky-type anomaly is observed in the magnetic part of specific heat of Pr 2 Co 3 Ge 5 . An analysis of C mag data suggests a singlet ground state in Pr 2 Co 3 Ge 5 separated from the singlet first excited state by 22 K and a doublet second excited state at 73 K.