A single crystal sample of cubic lead fluoride doped with gadolinium (β-PbF_2∶Gd) was prepared by use of the Bridgman-Stockbarger method. The crystal samples for testing with dimension of *J20 mm×20 mm long were all polished. The dopant level of gadolinium is 0.15wt%. The light output and decay time of the samples were measured in the lab using 137 Cs source and 1 GeV test beam at AGS respectively. Experimental results indicated that β-PbF_2∶Gd crystal produces a weak scintillation emission at room temperature corresponding to a light output of ～6 photoelectrons per MeV and most of the light is collected within a gate of 30 ns. There is no evidence of any significant slow component extending out of 1 μs. In the X-ray excited emission spectra of β-PbF_2∶Gd at room temperature, two emission peaks, 277 nm and 312 nm, were found and corresponded to the transition of 6I_J→ 8 S_ 7/2 and 6P_J→ 8S_ 7/2 of Gd 3+ ions, respectively.