Rofecoxib (Rb) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) with poor aqueous solubility. The present study was undertaken to investigate the influence of water-soluble polymers namely sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Na CMC), polyvinylpyrrolidine (PVP) and polyethylene glycol (PEG-6000) on hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin (HP beta-CD) complexation of Rb. The complexes were prepared by kneading, autoclaving and precipitation techniques in 1:1 and 1:2 molar ratios. The aqueous solubility enhancement of Rb by these polymers is found to be of the following order: Na CMC > PVP > PEG-6000. Complexes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and X-ray diffractometry (XRD) techniques. In vitro dissolution studies were carried out on tablets formulated from molar ratios of the complexes prepared by different techniques.