  Blue compact galaxies are compact objects that are dominated by intense star
formation. Most of them have dramatically different properties compared to the
Milky Way and many other nearby galaxies. Using the IRAS, HI data, and optical
spectra, we wanted to measure the current star formation rates, stellar
components, metallicities, and star formation histories and evolution of a
large blue compact galaxy sample. We anticipate that our study will be useful
as a benchmark for studies of emission line galaxies at high redshift.
  In the first paper of this series, we describe the selection, spectroscopic
observation, data reduction and calibration, and spectrophotometric accuracy of
a sample of 97 luminous blue compact galaxies.
  We present a spectrophotometric atlas of rest-frame spectra, as well as
tables of the recession velocities and the signal-to-noise ratios. The
recession velocities of these galaxies are measured with an accuracy of
  $\delta$V $<$ 67 km s$^{-1}$. The average signal-to-noise ratio of sample
spectra is $\sim$ 51. The spectral line strengths, equivalent widths and
continuum fluxes are also measured for the same galaxies and will be analyzed
in the next paper of this series. The atlas and tables of measurements will be
made available electronically.
