  The fine-structure lines of singly ([Ne II] 12.8 micron) and doubly ([Ne III]
15.6 micron) ionized neon are among the most prominent features in the
mid-infrared spectra of star-forming regions, and have the potential to be a
powerful new indicator of the star formation rate in galaxies. Using a sample
of star-forming galaxies with measurements of the fine-structure lines
available from the literature, we show that the sum of the [Ne II] and [Ne III]
luminosities obeys a tight, linear correlation with the total infrared
luminosity, over 5 orders of magnitude in luminosity. We discuss the formation
of the lines and their relation with the Lyman continuum luminosity. A simple
calibration between star formation rate and the [Ne II]+[Ne III] luminosity is
presented.
