This invention is a fuel composition for use in internal combustion engines comprising a major amount of a base fuel which contains no more than 10% by weight of olefins and no more than 10% by weight of esters, and greater than 5% by weight based on the total composition of an oxygenate selected from the group consisting of a saturated, aliphatic monohydric alcohol having on an average from 8 to 20 carbon atoms, one or more ketones having on an average 5 to 25 carbons, and mixtures of the alcohol(s) and ketone(s). The amount of the oxygenate in the fuel composition is sufficient to provide the fuel with at least 0.5% by weight of oxygen. The oxygenate significantly reduces particulate emissions from the exhausts of diesel powered engines.