The production of E. coli WC7 phytase from a recombinant E. coli strain was optimized using a statistical experimental design approach. Two-level complete factorial designs with seven variables were used for the media optimization. In the first optimization step, the influence of disodium succinate, yeast extract, $K_2HPO_4,;NH_4H_2PO_4,;MgSO_4$, NaCl, and trace elements on phytase production was evaluated. As a result, disodium succinate, yeast extract, $NH_4H_2PO_4$, NaCl, and the trace elements were found to have a positive influence on the phytase production, while $K_2HPO_4;and;MgSO_4$ had a negative influence. In the second step, the concentrations of disodium succinate and yeast extract were further optimized using central composite designs. The maximum phytase activity obtained was 234 U/ml using 15.9 g/1 disodium succinate, 20 g/1 yeast extract, 5 g/1 K_2HPO_4,;10 g/1 NH_4H_2PO_4,;1.5 g/1 MgSO_4$, 4 g/1 NaCl, and 1.5 m1/1 trace elements, which was about a 14-fold increase in comparison with that obtained using the basal medium.