This work deals with sampled-data control of linear systems incorporating variable time delays. It was found that such systems can be satisfactorily controlled according to two proposed specifications, in which the transient duration can either be dependent upon or independent of the delay incorporated in the system. General time domain matrix treatment is applied, since to achieve the delay dependent response in particular, it is necessary to provide a controller with adjustable-width output pulses. The discrete controller used, is designed according to a certain design procedure called the forward loop compensation method.