A method has been developed for the preparation of large single-stranded DNA sequencing templates from primary cloning plasmids or cosmids. The method utilizes the separate action of T7 Gene 6 exonuclease and exonuclease III to generate large quantities of single-stranded template for each strand of a large-cloned fragment. Since the procedure is intended for use on primary clones, it avoids the time-consuming subcloning steps associated with most sequencing programs. The procedure also has the advantage of avoiding clone instability problems associated with subcloning in M13.