In order to reduce the systemic side effects and gastrointestinal irritation after its oral adminitration, ketoprofen was formulated as water-soluble packs. The effects of fatty acids and fatty alcohols on the penetration of ketoprofen through excised rat skins were evaluated. The role of stratum corneum as a protective barrier was also investigated. Fatty acids and fatty alcohols were generally effective in promoting ketoprofen penetration. The flux of ketoprofen through rat skin was maximized when oleic acid or lauryl alcohol was used as an enhancer. As the concentration of fatty acids and fatty alcohols varied from 0% to 10%, the amounts of ketoprofen penetrated were in direct proportion to that of fatty acids but those had no relationship with that of fatty alcohols. The penetration of ketoprofen through stripped skin was enhanced compared to normal skin irrespective of enhancer type, which indicated that the action site of enhancers would be stratum corneum.