We　propose　a　derivative-free　implementation　of　Dekkers　and　Aarts＇　continuous　simulated　annealing　(SA).　Essential　in　DFSA　is　the　＇random　direction＇　local　technique　that　we　introduce.　We　study　the　convergence　properties　of　the　resulting　algorithm　and　test　its　performance　on　a　set　of　50　problems.　Numerical　results　are　presented　which　show　the　robustness　of　the　algorithm.　Numerical　comparisons　with　SA,　two　derivative-free　simulated　annealing　algorithms　and　three　population-based　global　optimization　algorithms　show　that　the　derivative-free　SA,　DFSA,　offers　a　reasonable　alternative　to　some　recent　global　optimization　algorithms,　especially　for　problems　requiring　a　＇direct　search＇　type　algorithm.　©　2012　Elsevier　Inc.　All　rights　reserved.