  We demonstrate a technique for directly measuring the fine-structure interval
in alkali atoms using two frequency-stabilized diode lasers. Each laser has a
linewidth of order 1 MHz and precise tunability: one laser is tuned to a
hyperfine transition in the D_1 line, and the other laser to a hyperfine
transition in the D_2 line. The outputs of the lasers are fed into a scanning
Michelson interferometer that measures the ratio of their wavelengths
accurately. To illustrate the technique, we measure the fine-structure interval
in Rb, and obtain a value of 237.6000(3)(5) cm^-1 for the hyperfine-free
5P_{3/2} - 5P_{1/2} interval.
