A series of potential prodrugs of 2-amino-3-benzoylbenzeneacetic acid (amfenac) and 2-amino-3-(4-chlorobenzoyl)benzeneacetic acid were synthesized and evaluated for their cyclooxygenase inhibiting properties, antiinflammatory potency, and gastrointestinal irritation liability. One compound, 2-amino-3-(4-chlorobenzoyl)benzeneacetamide, possessed a therapeutic index 1 order of magnitude greater than that of indomethacin.