  We investigate the possibility to extract the symmetry energy from
multifragmentation data. The applicability of the grandcanonical formula
earlier proposed by Ono {\it et al.} [Phys. Rev. C {\bf 68}, 051601(R)] in the
case of finite excited nuclei is tested within a microcanonical framework.
Relatively good results are obtained except for large residual nuclei,
especially when large sources are highly excited. Effects of secondary particle
emission and the extent in which relevant information may be inferred from
experimental observables are finally discussed.
