The applicability of sodium alginate as a carrier of 5-fluorouracil as an oral delivery system was investigated. Hydrophobicity of sodium alginate was controlled by introducing cetyl group to this polymer. The effects of degree of esterification for n-cetyl partial ester on the rate of release of 5-fluorouracil in artificial gastric juice and artificial intestinal juice were examined. The release rete of the drug in the gastric juice was mainly affected by the diffusion of the drug. The release rate of the drug in the intestinal juice could be controlled by the degree of esterification. The alginate matrices may be a valuable addition as the carrier of 5-fluorouracil for an oral delivery system.