Differential cross sections and generalized oscillator strengths have been measured for two optically allowed transitions 5${\mathit{p}}^{6}$${(}^{1}$${\mathit{S}}_{0}$)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5${\mathit{p}}^{5}$${(}^{2}$${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$)5d(K=3/2,J=1) and 5${\mathit{p}}^{6}$${(}^{1}$${\mathit{S}}_{0}$)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5${\mathit{p}}^{5}$${(}^{2}$${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$)7s(K=3/2,J=1) and two optically forbidden transitions 5${\mathit{p}}^{6}$${(}^{1}$${\mathit{S}}_{0}$)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5${\mathit{p}}^{5}$${(}^{2}$${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$)5d(K=7/2,J=3) and 5${\mathit{p}}^{6}$${(}^{1}$${\mathit{S}}_{0}$)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5${\mathit{p}}^{5}$${(}^{2}$${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$)5d(K=5/2, J=3) in Xe by means of electron-energy-loss spectroscopy. These measurements are carried out for electron kinetic energies of 400 and 500 eV at small scattering angles (\ensuremath{\theta}=1.4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}--15.1\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}). Optical oscillator strengths have been determined by extrapolating the generalized oscillator strengths to zero momentum transfer, as (0.298\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.045) and (0.0738\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.011), for the 5${\mathit{p}}^{5}$${(}^{2}$${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$)5d(K=3/2,J=1) and 5${\mathit{p}}^{5}$${(}^{2}$${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$)7s(K=3/2,J=1) states, respectively. Integrated cross sections have also been determined for each impact energy. The errors are estimated to be less than 15%. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.